Abstract

A brief overview is presented of publications dealing with hepatitis E infection. Hepatitis E is endemic in many developing countries where it causes high morbidity. In industrialised countries it is a rare disease which is largely confined to travelers returning from endemic areas. Autochthonous hepatitis E in developed countries is more common than was previously recognised. The disease has a poor prognosis in patients with chronic liver disease, pregnancy; it is frequently misdiagnosed as drug-induced liver injury. Patients with unexplained hepatitis should be tested for hepatitis E, whatever their age or travel history. In Estonia no cases of hepatitis E infection have yet been diagnosed.