Hepatitis E Virus in Croatia in the “One-Health” Context

• Published in: Pathogens (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 6; p. 699
• Main Authors: Mrzljak, Anna, Jemersic, Lorena, Savic, Vladimir, Balen, Ivan, Ilic, Maja, Jurekovic, Zeljka, Pavicic-Saric, Jadranka, Mikulic, Danko, Vilibic-Cavlek, Tatjana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 04-06-2021; MDPI
• Subjects: animal; Animals; Antibodies; Blood & organ donations; Blood donors; Chronic illnesses; Croatia; Epidemiology; Foodborne diseases; Genotype & phenotype; Genotypes; Hemodialysis; Hepatitis; hepatitis E virus; Hogs; human; Infections; Liver diseases; Liver transplants; One-Health; Review; Rural areas; Serology; Womens health; Zoonoses; Croatia
• ISSN: 2076-0817; 2076-0817
• DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060699

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of viral hepatitis globally. The first human case of autochthonous HEV infection in Croatia was reported in 2012, with the undefined zoonotic transmission of HEV genotype 3. This narrative review comprehensively addresses the current knowledge on the HEV epidemiology in humans and animals in Croatia. Published studies showed the presence of HEV antibodies in different population groups, such as chronic patients, healthcare professionals, voluntary blood donors and professionally exposed and pregnant women. The highest seroprevalence in humans was found in patients on hemodialysis in a study conducted in 2018 (27.9%). Apart from humans, different studies have confirmed the infection in pigs, wild boars and a mouse, indicating the interspecies transmission of HEV due to direct or indirect contact or as a foodborne infection. Continued periodical surveys in humans and animals are needed to identify the possible changes in the epidemiology of HEV infections.