Relative importance of the enterically transmitted human hepatitis viruses type A and E as a cause of foreign travel associated hepatitis

Abstract

Hepatitis contracted during a stay abroad may be caused by a wide range of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa or helminths. In many cases, the etiological agent primarily infects other target organs and tissues, involving the liver either as part of a disseminated infection or secondarily to mechanical biliary tract obstruction. The article focuses on enterically transmitted hepatitis caused by the primarily hepatotropic human hepatitis viruses type A and E and discusses their importance in travel-related disease.