['Hepatitis A virus infection in patients with previously stable chronic liver disease is associated with liver decompensation. Whether infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) also does so is not known.', 'We studied 32 patients with decompensated liver disease and definite evidence of underlying cirrhosis for evidence of recent HEV infection.', "Of 32 patients, 14 (44%) had detectable IgM anti-HEV in their serum. In comparison, only 3 of 48 (6%) patients with stable cirrhosis and no recent decompensation had such antibodies (p<0.0001). Of the 14 patients with evidence of recent HEV infection, 11 had history of prodrome. The etiology of cirrhosis in these patients was: hepatitis B 6, hepatitis C 2, both hepatitis B and C 2, Wilson's disease 1, autoimmune 1 and cryptogenic 2. Two of these 14 patients died. Twelve patients survived, as compared to 9 of 18 patients without evidence of recent HEV infection (p<0.01)."] Is hepatitis E virus responsible for decompensation of chronic liver disease in an endemic region?