Proof of infectivity of hepatitis E virus particles from the ejaculate of chronically infected patients.

Recently, hepatitis E virus (HEV, Paslahepevirus balayani) particles were detected for the first time in the ejaculate of two chronically infected patients. Since then, we have been able to detect HEV in ejaculate in five further patients, and thus in a total of seven out of nine (78%) chronically infected men (age 36-67 years, median 56 years). In five patients, the HEV RNA concentration was more than 100-fold higher compared to the serum, while in two patients, the viral load was more than 10-fold lower.

Anti-HEV seroprevalence and rate of viremia in a German cohort of dogs, cats, and horses.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 infections in Germany are mainly transmitted zoonotically through the consumption of swine meat. Furthermore, there is evidence that pets might come into contact with HEV, but the relevance of companion animals as possible sources of HEV transmission in Germany still needs to be defined. A monitoring study was therefore carried out on dogs, cats, and horses from Germany.

Emergence of resistance-associated variants during sofosbuvir treatment in chronically infected hepatitis E patients.

Background And Aims: Chronic HEV infections remain a serious problem in immunocompromised patients, as specifically approved antiviral drugs are unavailable. In 2020, a 24-week multicenter phase II pilot trial was carried out, evaluating the nucleotide analog sofosbuvir by treating nine chronically HEV-infected patients with sofosbuvir (Trial Number NCT03282474). During the study, antiviral therapy reduced virus RNA levels initially but did not lead to a sustained virologic response.