Hepatitis E virus (HEV), which is spread all over the world, is nowadays among the most common causes of viral hepatitis, mainly affecting developing countries. Nevertheless, over the last 10 years, there has been a resurgence of viral hepatitis cases in developed countries. In most cases, HEV infection has been rather benign, but it can at times be complicated by extra-hepatic manifestations, neurological ones being the most common. Based on a clinical case report, we have describe the atypical evolution of HEV infection, which was complicated by Guillain Barré syndrome and myositis.
What is already known about the topic?
Hepatitis E virus is the most common virus responsible for acute or chronic viral infection of the liver worldwide. Although it is most prevalent in East and South Asia, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has noted a resurgence of hepatitis E virus infections in Europe over the past decade, with genotype 3 (HEV-3) appearing to be the most prevalent. In Western countries, it is most often an asymptomatic infection transmitted by ingestion of raw animal meat. In most cases, the evolution is benign and no specific treatment is required.
What does this article bring up for us?
This article provides an overview of the hepatitis E virus infection through a clinical case, with a brief description of its geographical distribution, the different modes of transmission, and the extra-hepatic manifestations that may be encountered in daily medical practice.
Key Words
Hepatitis E infection, Guillain Barré syndrome, myositis