[Research Progress in Laboratory Diagnostic Methods for HEV Infection].

Abstract

Hepatitis E, an acute self-limited disease is caused by hepatitis E virus(HEV)and is a public-health concern for people worldwide. HEV is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route while direct evidence for blood-borne transmission has been reported. So the risk of blood transfusion safety caused by HEV has been widely paid attention. Here, we aim to provide some references to HEV screening for blood donors through analyzing the existing diagnostic methods for HEV, which are of great significance for the prevention and control of HEV infection. Currently, the primary detection indexes for HEV primarily include HEV RNA,HEV antigen, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG. HEV RNA testing is considered to be the "gold standard" for the detection of HEV infection. This test takes advantage of patients with chronic Hepatitis E, immunosuppressed people, and patients with nonhepatic manifestations of hepatitis E.HEV antigen testing is regarded as a current infection index for HEV, which could be used to detect HEV in blood donors and diagnose acute HEV infection. Anti-HEV IgM is a mark of HEV recent infection, but not a single index to diagnose a current infection with HEV. Anti-HEV IgG indicates that HEV was the previous infection, and it is not suitable to diagnose acute HEV infection. At present, blood donors screening for HEV were mainly based on nucleic acid detection, and an antigen test possibly could cover its’ shortage. To confirm the value of the antigen and antibody tests for blood donor screening, further studies are required in the future.