Immunodiagnosis of viral hepatitides A to E and non-A to -E

Abstract

Primary viral infection of liver cells is caused by several distinct hepatotropic viruses transmitted by oral and parenteral routes. While the clinical, epidemiological, pathological, and immunological aspects of viral hepatitides have many common attributes and subtle differences (39), the etiologies of liver disorders cannot be established on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms or abnormal liver function tests (e.g., elevated alanine aminotransferase [ALT]). Following the discovery of Australia antigen (8), which was subsequently termed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the identification and characterization of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis A virus (HAV),

Current risks of viral hepatitis from blood transfusions

“…The risk estimates for transfusion transmission are unknown; however, in common with those of HAV, they are probably quite low (even in endemic areas), as the viraemic phase is short-lived and there is no chronic carrier state for HEV. 43,44 Hepatitis F virus (HFV) is reported to be a doublestranded DNA virus that causes sporadic, water-borne, 'non-A,-By-C,-D,-E' hepatitis. The agent has not, as of yet, been fully characterized; no serological tests have been developed; and it has not been confinned by other laboratories.…”

Novel single‐step multiplex real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay for simultaneous quantification of hepatitis virus A, B, C, and E in serum

“…Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem posing a big challenge globally. 1 It is caused by a number of viruses, some of which have already been characterized and named alphabetically as hepatitis viruses A-G. 2 All those viruses that are responsible for causing hepatitis but have not yet been characterized are named as non-A-G hepatitis viruses. 3 Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are transmitted feco-orally and cause only acute exacerbation of hepatic inflammation without leading a chronic course.…”

“…Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem posing a big challenge globally . It is caused by a number of viruses, some of which have already been characterized and named alphabetically as hepatitis viruses A–G . All those viruses that are responsible for causing hepatitis but have not yet been characterized are named as non‐A–G hepatitis viruses .…”

History of viral hepatitis: A tale of dogmas and misinterpretations1

“…The use of sensitive tests for the assay of circulating antibodies to hepatitis C virus revealed that the disease occurs world-wide with an incidence ranging from 0.1 to 2.0% in different populations. 47 Most of these cases represent chronic hepatitis and many are clinically asymptomatic. The epidemiology is understood incompletely, but blood-borne transmission appears to be predominant, including legitimate and illegitimate use of viruscontaminated needles.…”

“…This may suggest that there are additional blood‐borne agents causing hepatic infection that remain to be discovered. The use of sensitive tests for the assay of circulating antibodies to hepatitis C virus revealed that the disease occurs world‐wide with an incidence ranging from 0.1 to 2.0% in different populations 47 . Most of these cases represent chronic hepatitis and many are clinically asymptomatic.…”