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Hepatitis E Virus

Hepatitis E, an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) occurs all over the world. HEV was discovered nearly 30 years ago and Hepatitis E has truly been a ‘neglected infectious disease’. As a virology antibody expert, Creative Biolabs offers a comprehensive series of HEV antibody services to advance your research.

HEV Structure

HEV virions are small (27-34 nm diameter) particles, consisting of an icosahedral protein capsid that encloses an approximately 7.2-kilobase long, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome. HEV belongs to the genus Hepevirus in the Hepeviridae family. HEV is now known to exist in 2 forms: as naked particles in the stools of infected persons and as enveloped virions in blood circulation; in the latter, the envelope seems to protect the virions from inactivation by circulating specific antibodies.

HEV particles. Fig.1 HEV particles. (Himmelsbach, 2018)

The HEV genome harbors discontinuous regions called open reading frames (ORF).

  • ORF1 encodes a protein of 1693 amino acids containing functional motifs and domains present in the non-structural proteins (e.g., RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, methyltransferase).
  • ORF2 encodes the viral capsid protein of 660 amino acids.
  • ORF3, which overlaps ORF2, encodes a small protein involved in virion morphogenesis and release.
  • ORF4 has only been described in HEV genotype 1 (HEV1).

HEV genome. Fig.2 HEV genome. (Kamar, 2017)

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of hepatitis E is poorly understood. HEV infects and replicates in hepatocytes. It is unclear how the virus reaches the liver. The virus binds to the proteoglycan heparan sulfate, interacts with an unknown receptor on the hepatocyte surface, and is internalized via a clathrin-dependent process. HEV is released into both blood and bile involves the exosomal pathway. The liver damage induced by HEV infection may be immune-mediated by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells since HEV is not cytopathic.

HEV life cycle. Fig.3 HEV life cycle. (Kamar, 2017)

Epidemiology

HEV1, HEV2, HEV3, and HEV4 are responsible for most infections in humans. HEV1 and HEV2 are endemic in developing regions including several parts of Asia (south, central and southeast Asia), Africa, the Middle East, and Mexico. By contrast, HEV3 and HEV4 are mainly observed in developed regions and are zoonotic. There are several mechanisms of transmission of HEV infection: waterborne transmission, person-to-person transmission, zoonotic transmission, transfusion-associated HEV, and vertical transmission.

Symptom

The incubation period following exposure to HEV ranges from 2 to 10 weeks, and symptomatic infection is most common in young adults aged 15-40 years.

Typical symptoms of hepatitis E is similar to other hepatitis including:

  • Mild fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Hepatomegaly
  • Throwing up
  • Dark pee
  • Jaundice
  • Skin rash or itching
  • Joint pain

Prevention and Treatment

  • HEV infections could be prevented in two ways: reducing exposure to the virus and inducing immunity through vaccination. Two candidate hepatitis E vaccines have been investigated in clinical trials.
  • To date, no specific drugs have been approved for the treatment of HEV infections. Most cases of acute hepatitis E require no treatment, as the illness is self-limiting. Patients with severe hepatitis and underlying chronic liver disease have a poor prognosis. A number of such patients have been treated successfully with ribavirin.

Anti-HAV Products and Services

With over ten years of experience in developing antibodies, Creative Biolabs is a leading global provider of custom antibody production services. Now we provide various anti-HEV antibody products and services for various research, not for clinical applications. We also provide other hepatitis virus antibodies, referred to as types A, B, C and D. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

References

  1. Himmelsbach, K.; et al. Life cycle and morphogenesis of the hepatitis E virus. Emerg Microbes Infect, 2018, 7(1): 196.
  2. Kamar, N.; et al. Hepatitis E virus infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers, 2017, 3: 17086.

All products and services are intended for Research Use Only, and NOT to be used in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

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