Longitudinal Profiles of Cytokines and Chemokines in Self‐Limiting Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E virus infection typically results in a self‐limited acute viral hepatitis (AVH‐E), which is rapidly cleared by the host immune response. In this longitudinal study, temporal cytokine and chemokine profiles were analysed in AVH‐E patients' sera using a multiplex immunoassay. HEV RNA became undetectable between 9 and 18 days, with a median of 13 days, occurring 3–20 days after symptom onset. In the AVH‐E group, IFN‐γ peaked significantly around days 6–9, which is prior to the HEV RNA clearance period, and declined during days 9–18. IL‐2, IL‐10, and TNF‐α increased significantly during days 15–20, while IL‐1β and IL‐6 showed peak levels. CCL3, CXCL6, CXCL9, CXCL10 and MIF were significantly higher in the AVH‐E group than in the healthy controls; CCL2 and CCL20 peaked non‐significantly during days 12–17. CCL3, CXCL6, CXCL9 and CXCL10 levels were lower in the AVH‐E group than in the AVH‐B group. Compared to the AVH‐B group and healthy controls, the AVH‐E group showed distinct immune signatures. These findings highlight coordinated cytokine and chemokine responses during HEV infection and provide insights into the immunopathogenesis of self‐limiting hepatitis E.