HMGB1 and liver failure: We investigated the plasma HMGB1 levels in patients with HEV-induced liver failure and found significantly higher levels in HEV-ALF patients compared with those in heathy controls (291.6 ± 13.16 ng/mL vs 23.9 ± 1.58 ng/mL, P < 0.01) and HEV-AVH patients (291.6 ± 13.16 ng/mL vs 152.3 ± 6.86 ng/mL, P < 0.01); similar results were found in HEV-ACLF patients (336.8 ± 9.08 ng/mL vs 23.9 ± 1.58 ng/mL, P < 0.01) & (336.8 ± 9.08 ng/mL vs 152.3 ± 6.86 ng/mL, P < 0.01) (Fig. 4A).