Sporadic acute hepatitis E in the United Kingdom: an underdiagnosed phenomenon?

Background-Hepatitis E (HEV) is the primary cause of enterically transmitte d non-A non-B hepatitis worldwide. Case reports of HEV in individuals in th e United Kingdom relate to travel to endemic areas or contact with individu als who have visited these areas. Case reports-Four individuals presented with acute hepatitis to a hepatolog y clinic in a teaching hospital. Serology confirmed acute hepatitis E in al l four. Investigation by the Communicable Disease Control Department establ ished no links between the cases, no travel to an endemic area, and no cont acts. Conclusion-Contrary to current belief, community acquired hepatitis E virus infection occurs sporadically in the United Kingdom and should be consider ed as a cause of seronegative hepatitis.