[Experimental hepatitis E infection in piglets].

A sample of patient's faeces containing virus-like particles (VLP) of 27-34 nm was obtained during an outbreak of hepatitis E in the Kirghiz SSR. The identity of the VLP to hepatitis E virus and etiological association with the disease were demonstrated by immune electron microscopy and infection of Macaca fascicularis monkeys. This isolate of hepatitis E virus is able to induce experimental infection in domestic piglets which was very similar to experimental hepatitis E in primates when infected orally, intravenously and by the combined routes.