101
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Simanavicius M, Juskaite K, Verbickaite A, Jasiulionis M, Tamosiunas PL, Petraityte-Burneikiene R, Zvirbliene A, Ulrich RG, Kucinskaite-Kodze I. Detection of rat hepatitis E virus, but not human pathogenic hepatitis E virus genotype 1-4 infections in wild rats from Lithuania. Vet Microbiol 2018; 221:129-133. [PMID: 29981698 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an orthohepevirus which is related to other HEV found in humans and other mammals. It was first identified in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Germany in 2010, and later it has been detected in Black rats (Rattus rattus) and Norway rats from USA, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and many European countries. In this study, we describe molecular and serological investigations of Black and Norway rats trapped in Lithuania, Eastern Europe, for infections with rat HEV and human HEV genotypes 1-4. Rat HEV-specific real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis of rat liver samples revealed the presence of rat HEV in 9 of 109 (8.3%) samples. In contrast, a RT-qPCR specific for HEV genotypes 1-4 did not reveal any positive samples. A nested broad spectrum RT-PCR was used for a confirmation of rat HEV infection with a subsequent sequencing of the amplified rat HEV genome fragment. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a clustering of all newly identified rat HEV sequences with Norway rat-derived rat HEV sequences from Germany within the species Orthohepevirus C. An indirect ELISA using a yeast-expressed truncated rat HEV capsid protein variant revealed 31.2% seropositive samples indicating a high rate of rat HEV circulation in the rat population examined. In conclusion, the current investigation confirms rat HEV infections in Norway and Black rats in Lithuania, Eastern Europe, and the non-persistent nature of HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolina Juskaite
- Vilnius University Life Sciences Center Institute of Biotechnology, Lithuania.
| | - Arune Verbickaite
- Vilnius University Life Sciences Center Institute of Biotechnology, Lithuania.
| | | | | | | | - Aurelija Zvirbliene
- Vilnius University Life Sciences Center Institute of Biotechnology, Lithuania.
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany.
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102
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Melegari I, Di Profio F, Marsilio F, Sarchese V, Palombieri A, Friedrich KG, Coccia F, Di Martino B. Serological and molecular investigation for hepatitis E virus (HEV) in captive non-human primates, Italy. Virus Res 2018; 251:17-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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103
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Rodríguez-Lázaro D, Hernandez M, Cook N. Hepatitis E Virus: A New Foodborne Zoonotic Concern. ADVANCES IN FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH 2018; 86:55-70. [PMID: 30077224 DOI: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an enteric nonenveloped single-stranded RNA virus. Among the mammalian lineages, four genotypes are associated to human infection: genogroups 1 and 2 infect only humans and are mainly found in developing countries, while genogroups 3 and 4 are zoonotic, being found in a variety of animal species including pigs, and are autochthonous in developed countries. HEV infection can result in liver damage and with genotypes 1 and 2 symptoms can be particularly severe in pregnant women, with a high lethality ratio. Several cases of foodborne transmission of hepatitis E have been reported, often involving consumption of meat, especially raw or undercooked. Information is lacking on the exact extent of foodborne transmission of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rodríguez-Lázaro
- Microbiology Division, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain.
| | - Marta Hernandez
- Microbiology Division, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain; Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, ITACyL, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Nigel Cook
- Jorvik Food and Environmental Virology, York, United Kingdom
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104
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Tanggis, Kobayashi T, Takahashi M, Jirintai S, Nishizawa T, Nagashima S, Nishiyama T, Kunita S, Hayama E, Tanaka T, Mulyanto, Okamoto H. An analysis of two open reading frames (ORF3 and ORF4) of rat hepatitis E virus genome using its infectious cDNA clones with mutations in ORF3 or ORF4. Virus Res 2018; 249:16-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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105
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Ryll R, Eiden M, Heuser E, Weinhardt M, Ziege M, Höper D, Groschup MH, Heckel G, Johne R, Ulrich RG. Hepatitis E virus in feral rabbits along a rural-urban transect in Central Germany. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 61:155-159. [PMID: 29597055 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit associated genotype 3 hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains were detected in feral, pet and farm rabbits in different parts of the world since 2009 and recently also in human patients. Here, we report a serological and molecular survey on 72 feral rabbits, collected along a rural-urban transect in and next to Frankfurt am Main, Central Germany. ELISA investigations revealed in 25 of 72 (34.7%) animals HEV-specific antibodies. HEV derived RNA was detected in 18 of 72 (25%) animals by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. The complete genomes from two rabbitHEV-strains, one from a rural site and the other from an inner-city area, were generated by a combination of high-throughput sequencing, a primer walking approach and 5'- and 3'- rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Phylogenetic analysis of open reading frame (ORF)1-derived partial and complete ORF1/ORF2 concatenated coding sequences indicated their similarity to rabbit-associated HEV strains. The partial sequences revealed one cluster of closely-related rabbitHEV sequences from the urban trapping sites that is well separated from several clusters representing rabbitHEV sequences from rural trapping sites. The complete genome sequences of the two novel strains indicated similarities of 75.6-86.4% to the other 17 rabbitHEV sequences; the amino acid sequence identity of the concatenated ORF1/ORF2-encoded proteins reached 89.0-93.1%. The detection of rabbitHEV in an inner-city area with a high human population density suggests a high risk of potential human infection with the zoonotic rabbitHEV, either by direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Therefore, future investigations on the occurrence and frequency of human infections with rabbitHEV are warranted in populations with different contact to rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Ryll
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elisa Heuser
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Markus Weinhardt
- Department of Zoology, State Museum of Natural History, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Madlen Ziege
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; University of Potsdam, Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Potsdam (Golm), Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Gerald Heckel
- University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge - Batiment Genopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Reimar Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany.
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106
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Chevrier's Field Mouse (Apodemus chevrieri) and Père David's Vole (Eothenomys melanogaster) in China Carry Orthohepeviruses that form Two Putative Novel Genotypes Within the Species Orthohepevirus C. Virol Sin 2018; 33:44-58. [PMID: 29500690 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-018-0011-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the prototype of the family Hepeviridae and the causative agent of common acute viral hepatitis. Genetically diverse HEV-related viruses have been detected in a variety of mammals and some of them may have zoonotic potential. In this study, we tested 278 specimens collected from seven wild small mammal species in Yunnan province, China, for the presence and prevalence of orthohepevirus by broad-spectrum reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. HEV-related sequences were detected in two rodent species, including Chevrier's field mouse (Apodemus chevrieri, family Muridae) and Père David's vole (Eothenomys melanogaster, family Cricetidae), with the infection rates of 29.20% (59/202) and 7.27% (4/55), respectively. Further four representative full-length genomes were generated: two each from Chevrier's field mouse (named RdHEVAc14 and RdHEVAc86) and Père David's vole (RdHEVEm40 and RdHEVEm67). Phylogenetic analyses and pairwise distance comparisons of whole genome sequences and amino acid sequences of the gene coding regions showed that orthohepeviruses identified in Chinese Chevrier's field mouse and Père David's vole belonged to the species Orthohepevirus C but were highly divergent from the two assigned genotypes: HEV-C1 derived from rat and shrew, and HEV-C2 derived from ferret and possibly mink. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR demonstrated that these newly discovered orthohepeviruses had hepatic tropism. In summary, our work discovered two putative novel genotypes orthohepeviruses preliminarily named HEV-C3 and HEV-C4 within the species Orthohepevirus C, which expands our understanding of orthohepevirus infection in the order Rodentia and gives new insights into the origin, evolution, and host range of orthohepevirus.
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107
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Mesquita JR, Almeida-Santos M, Fernandes M, Maltez F, Lino S, Alves L, Abreu-Silva J, Oliveira RMS, Curran MD, Nascimento MSJ. Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 1 Cases Imported to Portugal from India, 2016. Ann Hepatol 2018; 17:335-338. [PMID: 29469037 DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.8667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E in industrialized countries is mainly associated with genotype 3 hepatitis E virus (HEV) and normally causes a sporadic self-limiting disease in immunocompetent individuals. Unlike genotype 3, genotypes 1 and 2 circulate in developing countries, produce severe disease and occur in the epidemic form. Hepatitis E occurring in travellers returning from endemic areas in developing countries is not a novel epidemiological occurrence, however the vast majority of cases remain to be genetically studied. The present study describes two cases of severe acute hepatitis E that required hospitalization for 6 and 9 days in two individuals of Indian nationality that had recently migrated to Portugal to work. The retrieved HEV sequences both belonged to genotype 1 and had a high degree of nucleotide sequence identity, clustering with strains isolated in India and Nepal, in 2013 and 2014. Confirmed HEV genotypes of increased pathogenicity like genotype 1 are being introduced into otherwise naïve populations of industrialized countries such as European countries with consequences difficult to predict. As far as we know the present study is the first in Portugal to describe and genetically characterize imported cases of hepatitis E infection caused by HEV genotype 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- João R Mesquita
- Epidemiology ReserchUnit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Madalena Almeida-Santos
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central (CHLC) - Hospital Curry Cabral, 1069-166 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Fernandes
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central (CHLC) - Hospital Curry Cabral, 1069-166 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fernando Maltez
- Serviço de Doenças Infeciosas CHLC - Hospital Curry Cabral, 1069-166 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara Lino
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central (CHLC) - Hospital Curry Cabral, 1069-166 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Alves
- Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central (CHLC) - Hospital Curry Cabral, 1069-166 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Abreu-Silva
- Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia
| | - Ricardo M S Oliveira
- Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia
| | - Martin D Curran
- Clinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory, Public Health England, Addenbrooke´s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria S J Nascimento
- Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia
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108
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Van Nguyen D, Van Nguyen C, Bonsall D, Ngo TT, Carrique-Mas J, Pham AH, Bryant JE, Thwaites G, Baker S, Woolhouse M, Simmonds P. Detection and Characterization of Homologues of Human Hepatitis Viruses and Pegiviruses in Rodents and Bats in Vietnam. Viruses 2018; 10:v10030102. [PMID: 29495551 PMCID: PMC5869495 DOI: 10.3390/v10030102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents and bats are now widely recognised as important sources of zoonotic virus infections in other mammals, including humans. Numerous surveys have expanded our knowledge of diverse viruses in a range of rodent and bat species, including their origins, evolution, and range of hosts. In this study of pegivirus and human hepatitis-related viruses, liver and serum samples from Vietnamese rodents and bats were examined by PCR and sequencing. Nucleic acids homologous to human hepatitis B, C, E viruses were detected in liver samples of 2 (1.3%) of 157 bats, 38 (8.1%), and 14 (3%) of 470 rodents, respectively. Hepacivirus-like viruses were frequently detected (42.7%) in the bamboo rat, Rhizomys pruinosus, while pegivirus RNA was only evident in 2 (0.3%) of 638 rodent serum samples. Complete or near-complete genome sequences of HBV, HEV and pegivirus homologues closely resembled those previously reported from rodents and bats. However, complete coding region sequences of the rodent hepacivirus-like viruses substantially diverged from all of the currently classified variants and potentially represent a new species in the Hepacivirus genus. Of the viruses identified, their routes of transmission and potential to establish zoonoses remain to be determined.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Chiroptera/virology
- Genome, Viral
- Hepatitis Viruses/classification
- Hepatitis Viruses/genetics
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal/diagnosis
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal/epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal/virology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/diagnosis
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/virology
- Humans
- Phylogeny
- Public Health Surveillance
- RNA, Viral
- Rodentia/virology
- Vietnam/epidemiology
- Zoonoses/epidemiology
- Zoonoses/virology
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Affiliation(s)
- Dung Van Nguyen
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK.
| | - Cuong Van Nguyen
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
| | - David Bonsall
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK.
| | - Tue Tri Ngo
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
| | - Juan Carrique-Mas
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK.
| | - Anh Hong Pham
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
| | - Juliet E Bryant
- Fondation Mérieux, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), 69365 Lyon CEDEX 07, France.
| | - Guy Thwaites
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK.
| | - Stephen Baker
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK.
- The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Mark Woolhouse
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK.
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109
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Nan Y, Wu C, Zhao Q, Sun Y, Zhang YJ, Zhou EM. Vaccine Development against Zoonotic Hepatitis E Virus: Open Questions and Remaining Challenges. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:266. [PMID: 29520257 PMCID: PMC5827553 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a fecal-orally transmitted foodborne viral pathogen that causes acute hepatitis in humans and is responsible for hepatitis E outbreaks worldwide. Since the discovery of HEV as a zoonotic agent, this virus has been isolated from a variety of hosts with an ever-expanding host range. Recently, a subunit HEV vaccine developed for the prevention of human disease was approved in China, but is not yet available to the rest of the world. Meanwhile, notable progress and knowledge has been made and revealed in recent years to better understand HEV biology and infection, including discoveries of quasi-enveloped HEV virions and of a new function of the HEV-ORF3 product. However, the impact of these new findings on the development of a protective vaccine against zoonotic HEV infection requires further discussion. In this review, hallmark characteristics of HEV zoonosis, the history of HEV vaccine development, and recent discoveries in HEV virology are described. Moreover, special attention is focused on quasi-enveloped HEV virions and the potential role of the HEV-ORF3 product as antibody-neutralization target on the surface of quasi-enveloped HEV virions to provide new insights for the future development of improved vaccines against zoonotic HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China
| | - Chunyan Wu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China
| | - Yani Sun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China
| | - Yan-Jin Zhang
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China
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110
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Nan Y, Wu C, Zhao Q, Zhou EM. Zoonotic Hepatitis E Virus: An Ignored Risk for Public Health. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2396. [PMID: 29255453 PMCID: PMC5723051 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a quasi-enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. HEV belongs to the family Hepeviridae, a family comprised of highly diverse viruses originating from various species. Since confirmation of HEV's zoonosis, HEV-induced hepatitis has been a public health concern both for developing and developed countries. Meanwhile, the demonstration of a broad host range for zoonotic HEV suggests the existence of a variety of transmission routes that could lead to human infection. Moreover, anti-HEV antibody serosurveillance worldwide demonstrates a higher than expected HEV prevalence rate that conflicts with the rarity and sporadic nature of reported acute hepatitis E cases. In recent years, chronic HEV infection, HEV-related acute hepatic failure, and extrahepatic manifestations caused by HEV infection have been frequently reported. These observations suggest a significant underestimation of the number and complexity of transmission routes previously predicted to cause HEV-related disease, with special emphasis on zoonotic HEV as a public health concern. Significant research has revealed details regarding the virology and infectivity of zoonotic HEV in both humans and animals. In this review, the discovery of HEV zoonosis, recent progress in our understanding of the zoonotic HEV host range, and classification of diverse HEV or HEV-like isolates from various hosts are reviewed in a historic context. Ultimately, this review focuses on current understanding of viral pathogenesis and cross-species transmission of zoonotic HEV. Moreover, host factors and viral determinants influencing HEV host tropism are discussed to provide new insights into HEV transmission and prevalence mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Xianyang, China
| | - Chunyan Wu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Xianyang, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Xianyang, China
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Xianyang, China
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111
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Grierson S, Rabie A, Lambert M, Choudhury B, Smith RP. HEV infection not evident in rodents on English pig farms. Vet Rec 2017; 182:81. [PMID: 29196489 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Grierson
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Andre Rabie
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Mark Lambert
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, UK
| | - Bhudipa Choudhury
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Richard P Smith
- Department of Epidemiological Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
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112
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Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in zoo animals and identification of a rodent-borne strain in a Syrian brown bear. Vet Microbiol 2017; 212:87-92. [PMID: 29173594 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E, an emerging infectious disease of humans. HEV infections have also been described in various animal species. Whereas domestic pigs and wild boars are well-known animal reservoirs for HEV, the knowledge on natural HEV infection in zoo animals is scarce so far. Here, we analysed 244 sera from 66 mammal species derived from three zoos in Germany using a commercial double antigen sandwich ELISA. HEV-specific antibodies were detected in 16 animal species, with the highest detection rates in suids (33.3%) and carnivores (27.0%). However, RNA of the human pathogenic HEV genotypes 1-4 was not detected in the serum samples from suids or carnivores. Using a broad spectrum RT-PCR, a ratHEV-related sequence was identified in a sample of a female Syrian brown bear (Ursus arctos syriacus). Subsequent serum samples within a period of five years confirmed a HEV seroconversion in this animal. No symptoms of hepatitis were recorded. In a follow-up investigation at the same location, closely related ratHEV sequences were identified in free-living Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), whereas feeder rats (Rattus norvegicus forma domestica) were negative for HEV-specific antibodies and RNA. Therefore, a spillover infection of ratHEV from free-living Norway rats is most likely. The results indicate that a wide range of zoo animals can be naturally infected with HEV or HEV-related viruses. Their distinct role as possible reservoir animals for HEV and sources of HEV infection for humans and other animals remains to be investigated.
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113
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Drewes S, Straková P, Drexler JF, Jacob J, Ulrich RG. Assessing the Diversity of Rodent-Borne Viruses: Exploring of High-Throughput Sequencing and Classical Amplification/Sequencing Approaches. Adv Virus Res 2017; 99:61-108. [PMID: 29029730 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aivir.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Rodents are distributed throughout the world and interact with humans in many ways. They provide vital ecosystem services, some species are useful models in biomedical research and some are held as pet animals. However, many rodent species can have adverse effects such as damage to crops and stored produce, and they are of health concern because of the transmission of pathogens to humans and livestock. The first rodent viruses were discovered by isolation approaches and resulted in break-through knowledge in immunology, molecular and cell biology, and cancer research. In addition to rodent-specific viruses, rodent-borne viruses are causing a large number of zoonotic diseases. Most prominent examples are reemerging outbreaks of human hemorrhagic fever disease cases caused by arena- and hantaviruses. In addition, rodents are reservoirs for vector-borne pathogens, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus and Borrelia spp., and may carry human pathogenic agents, but likely are not involved in their transmission to human. In our days, next-generation sequencing or high-throughput sequencing (HTS) is revolutionizing the speed of the discovery of novel viruses, but other molecular approaches, such as generic RT-PCR/PCR and rolling circle amplification techniques, contribute significantly to the rapidly ongoing process. However, the current knowledge still represents only the tip of the iceberg, when comparing the known human viruses to those known for rodents, the mammalian taxon with the largest species number. The diagnostic potential of HTS-based metagenomic approaches is illustrated by their use in the discovery and complete genome determination of novel borna- and adenoviruses as causative disease agents in squirrels. In conclusion, HTS, in combination with conventional RT-PCR/PCR-based approaches, resulted in a drastically increased knowledge of the diversity of rodent viruses. Future improvements of the used workflows, including bioinformatics analysis, will further enhance our knowledge and preparedness in case of the emergence of novel viruses. Classical virological and additional molecular approaches are needed for genome annotation and functional characterization of novel viruses, discovered by these technologies, and evaluation of their zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Drewes
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Petra Straková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology v.v.i., Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan F Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Berlin, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Germany
| | - Jens Jacob
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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114
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Spahr C, Knauf-Witzens T, Vahlenkamp T, Ulrich RG, Johne R. Hepatitis E virus and related viruses in wild, domestic and zoo animals: A review. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 65:11-29. [PMID: 28944602 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a human disease mainly characterized by acute liver illness, which is caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Large hepatitis E outbreaks have been described in developing countries; however, the disease is also increasingly recognized in industrialized countries. Mortality rates up to 25% have been described for pregnant women during outbreaks in developing countries. In addition, chronic disease courses could be observed in immunocompromised transplant patients. Whereas the HEV genotypes 1 and 2 are mainly confined to humans, genotypes 3 and 4 are also found in animals and can be zoonotically transmitted to humans. Domestic pig and wild boar represent the most important reservoirs for these genotypes. A distinct subtype of genotype 3 has been repeatedly detected in rabbits and a few human patients. Recently, HEV genotype 7 has been identified in dromedary camels and in an immunocompromised transplant patient. The reservoir animals get infected with HEV without showing any clinical symptoms. Besides these well-known animal reservoirs, HEV-specific antibodies and/or the genome of HEV or HEV-related viruses have also been detected in many other animal species, including primates, other mammals and birds. In particular, genotypes 3 and 4 infections are documented in many domestic, wildlife and zoo animal species. In most cases, the presence of HEV in these animals can be explained by spillover infections, but a risk of virus transmission through contact with humans cannot be excluded. This review gives a general overview on the transmission pathways of HEV to humans. It particularly focuses on reported serological and molecular evidence of infections in wild, domestic and zoo animals with HEV or HEV-related viruses. The role of these animals for transmission of HEV to humans and other animals is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Spahr
- Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Gardens, Stuttgart, Germany.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - T Vahlenkamp
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - R G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - R Johne
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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Desvars-Larrive A, Pascal M, Gasqui P, Cosson JF, Benoît E, Lattard V, Crespin L, Lorvelec O, Pisanu B, Teynié A, Vayssier-Taussat M, Bonnet S, Marianneau P, Lacôte S, Bourhy P, Berny P, Pavio N, Le Poder S, Gilot-Fromont E, Jourdain E, Hammed A, Fourel I, Chikh F, Vourc’h G. Population genetics, community of parasites, and resistance to rodenticides in an urban brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) population. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184015. [PMID: 28886097 PMCID: PMC5590879 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brown rats are one of the most widespread urban species worldwide. Despite the nuisances they induce and their potential role as a zoonotic reservoir, knowledge on urban rat populations remains scarce. The main purpose of this study was to characterize an urban brown rat population from Chanteraines park (Hauts-de-Seine, France), with regards to haematology, population genetics, immunogenic diversity, resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides, and community of parasites. Haematological parameters were measured. Population genetics was investigated using 13 unlinked microsatellite loci. Immunogenic diversity was assessed for Mhc-Drb. Frequency of the Y139F mutation (conferring resistance to rodenticides) and two linked microsatellites were studied, concurrently with the presence of anticoagulant residues in the liver. Combination of microscopy and molecular methods were used to investigate the occurrence of 25 parasites. Statistical approaches were used to explore multiple parasite relationships and model parasite occurrence. Eighty-six rats were caught. The first haematological data for a wild urban R. norvegicus population was reported. Genetic results suggested high genetic diversity and connectivity between Chanteraines rats and surrounding population(s). We found a high prevalence (55.8%) of the mutation Y139F and presence of rodenticide residues in 47.7% of the sampled individuals. The parasite species richness was high (16). Seven potential zoonotic pathogens were identified, together with a surprisingly high diversity of Leptospira species (4). Chanteraines rat population is not closed, allowing gene flow and making eradication programs challenging, particularly because rodenticide resistance is highly prevalent. Parasitological results showed that co-infection is more a rule than an exception. Furthermore, the presence of several potential zoonotic pathogens, of which four Leptospira species, in this urban rat population raised its role in the maintenance and spread of these pathogens. Our findings should stimulate future discussions about the development of a long-term rat-control management program in Chanteraines urban park.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Desvars-Larrive
- Conservation Medicine, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michel Pascal
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Écologie et Santé des Écosystèmes (ESE), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, Rennes, France
| | - Patrick Gasqui
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Epidémiologie des Maladies Animales et Zoonotiques (EPIA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, VetAgro Sup, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Jean-François Cosson
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaire (BIPAR), Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), Maisons-Alfort, France
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations (CBGP), Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), SupAgro Montpellier, France
| | - Etienne Benoît
- Contract-based Research Unit (CBRU) Rongeurs Sauvages–Risques Sanitaires et Gestion des Populations (RS2GP), VetAgro Sup, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Lyon University, Marcy-L’Etoile, France
| | - Virginie Lattard
- Contract-based Research Unit (CBRU) Rongeurs Sauvages–Risques Sanitaires et Gestion des Populations (RS2GP), VetAgro Sup, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Lyon University, Marcy-L’Etoile, France
| | - Laurent Crespin
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Epidémiologie des Maladies Animales et Zoonotiques (EPIA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, VetAgro Sup, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Olivier Lorvelec
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Écologie et Santé des Écosystèmes (ESE), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, Rennes, France
| | - Benoît Pisanu
- Unité Mixte de Services (UMS) 2006 Patrimoine Naturel, Agence Française pour la Biodiversité (AFB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Teynié
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Epidémiologie des Maladies Animales et Zoonotiques (EPIA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, VetAgro Sup, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Muriel Vayssier-Taussat
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaire (BIPAR), Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sarah Bonnet
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie Parasitaire (BIPAR), Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Philippe Marianneau
- Virology Unit, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), Lyon, France
| | - Sandra Lacôte
- Virology Unit, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), Lyon, France
| | - Pascale Bourhy
- Institut Pasteur, Biology of Spirochetes Unit, National Reference Center and WHO Collaborating Center for Leptospirosis, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Berny
- Contract-based Research Unit (CBRU) Rongeurs Sauvages–Risques Sanitaires et Gestion des Populations (RS2GP), VetAgro Sup, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Lyon University, Marcy-L’Etoile, France
| | - Nicole Pavio
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Virology, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sophie Le Poder
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Virology, Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail (ANSES), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Emmanuelle Gilot-Fromont
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Évolutive (LBBE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, VetAgro Sup, Marcy-L’Etoile, France
| | - Elsa Jourdain
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Epidémiologie des Maladies Animales et Zoonotiques (EPIA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, VetAgro Sup, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
| | - Abdessalem Hammed
- Contract-based Research Unit (CBRU) Rongeurs Sauvages–Risques Sanitaires et Gestion des Populations (RS2GP), VetAgro Sup, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Lyon University, Marcy-L’Etoile, France
| | - Isabelle Fourel
- Contract-based Research Unit (CBRU) Rongeurs Sauvages–Risques Sanitaires et Gestion des Populations (RS2GP), VetAgro Sup, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, Lyon University, Marcy-L’Etoile, France
| | - Farid Chikh
- Conseil Départemental Hauts-de-Seine, Parc de Chanteraines, Villeneuve-la-Garenne, Paris, France
| | - Gwenaël Vourc’h
- Joint Research Unit (JRU) Epidémiologie des Maladies Animales et Zoonotiques (EPIA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA, VetAgro Sup, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France
- * E-mail:
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Cook N, D'Agostino M, Johne R. Potential Approaches to Assess the Infectivity of Hepatitis E Virus in Pork Products: A Review. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2017; 9:243-255. [PMID: 28470455 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-017-9303-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The zoonotic transmission of hepatitis E, caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), is an emerging issue. HEV appears common in pigs (although infected pigs do not show clinical signs), and evidence suggests that a number of hepatitis E cases have been associated with the consumption of undercooked pork meat and products. Little information is available on whether cooking can eliminate HEV, since there is currently no robust method for measuring its infectivity. HEV infectivity can be clearly demonstrated by monitoring for signs of infection (e.g., shedding of virus) in an animal model. However, this approach has several disadvantages, such as lack of reproducibility and unsuitability for performing large numbers of tests, high costs, and not least ethical considerations. Growth in cell culture can unambiguously show that a virus is infectious and has the potential for replication, without the disadvantages of using animals. Large numbers of tests can also be performed, which can make the results more amenable to statistical interpretation. However, no HEV cell culture system has been shown to be applicable to all HEV strains, none has been standardized, and few studies have demonstrated their use for measurement of HEV infectivity in food samples. Nonetheless, cell culture remains the most promising approach, and the main recommendation of this review is that there should be an extensive research effort to develop and validate a cell culture-based method for assessing HEV infectivity in pork products. Systems comprising promising cell lines and HEV strains which can grow well in cell culture should be tested to select an assay for effective and reliable measurement of HEV infectivity over a wide range of virus concentrations. The assay should then be harnessed to a procedure which can extract HEV from pork products, to produce a method suitable for further use. The method can then be used to determine the effect of heat or other elimination processes on HEV in pork meat and products, or to assess whether HEV detected in any surveyed foodstuffs is infectious and therefore poses a risk to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Cook
- Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
- Jorvik Food and Environmental Virology Ltd., York, UK.
| | - Martin D'Agostino
- Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK
- Campden BRI, Chipping Campden, UK
| | - Reimar Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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117
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Detection of rat hepatitis E virus in wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and Black rats (Rattus rattus) from 11 European countries. Vet Microbiol 2017; 208:58-68. [PMID: 28888650 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) is genetically only distantly related to hepeviruses found in other mammalian reservoirs and in humans. It was initially detected in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Germany, and subsequently in rats from Vietnam, the USA, Indonesia, China, Denmark and France. Here, we report on a molecular survey of Norway rats and Black rats (Rattus rattus) from 12 European countries for ratHEV and human pathogenic hepeviruses. RatHEV-specific real-time and conventional RT-PCR investigations revealed the presence of ratHEV in 63 of 508 (12.4%) rats at the majority of sites in 11 of 12 countries. In contrast, a real-time RT-PCR specific for human pathogenic HEV genotypes 1-4 and a nested broad-spectrum (NBS) RT-PCR with subsequent sequence determination did not detect any infections with these genotypes. Only in a single Norway rat from Belgium a rabbit HEV-like genotype 3 sequence was detected. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a clustering of all other novel Norway and Black rat-derived sequences with ratHEV sequences from Europe, the USA and a Black rat-derived sequence from Indonesia within the proposed ratHEV genotype 1. No difference in infection status was detected related to age, sex, rat species or density of human settlements and zoological gardens. In conclusion, our investigation shows a broad geographical distribution of ratHEV in Norway and Black rats from Europe and its presence in all settlement types investigated.
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118
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Ricci A, Allende A, Bolton D, Chemaly M, Davies R, Fernandez Escamez PS, Herman L, Koutsoumanis K, Lindqvist R, Nørrung B, Robertson L, Ru G, Sanaa M, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Snary E, Speybroeck N, Ter Kuile B, Threlfall J, Wahlström H, Di Bartolo I, Johne R, Pavio N, Rutjes S, van der Poel W, Vasickova P, Hempen M, Messens W, Rizzi V, Latronico F, Girones R. Public health risks associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) as a food-borne pathogen. EFSA J 2017; 15:e04886. [PMID: 32625551 PMCID: PMC7010180 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important infection in humans in EU/EEA countries, and over the last 10 years more than 21,000 acute clinical cases with 28 fatalities have been notified with an overall 10-fold increase in reported HEV cases; the majority (80%) of cases were reported from France, Germany and the UK. However, as infection in humans is not notifiable in all Member States, and surveillance differs between countries, the number of reported cases is not comparable and the true number of cases would probably be higher. Food-borne transmission of HEV appears to be a major route in Europe; pigs and wild boars are the main source of HEV. Outbreaks and sporadic cases have been identified in immune-competent persons as well as in recognised risk groups such as those with pre-existing liver damage, immunosuppressive illness or receiving immunosuppressive treatments. The opinion reviews current methods for the detection, identification, characterisation and tracing of HEV in food-producing animals and foods, reviews literature on HEV reservoirs and food-borne pathways, examines information on the epidemiology of HEV and its occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. Presently, the only efficient control option for HEV infection from consumption of meat, liver and products derived from animal reservoirs is sufficient heat treatment. The development of validated quantitative and qualitative detection methods, including infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, is required for the development of quantitative microbial risk assessments and efficient control measures. More research on the epidemiology and control of HEV in pig herds is required in order to minimise the proportion of pigs that remain viraemic or carry high levels of virus in intestinal contents at the time of slaughter. Consumption of raw pig, wild boar and deer meat products should be avoided.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has become a growing public health concern in industrialized countries. Most of the HEV seroprevalence studies have focused on adult populations, and reports regarding HEV seroepidemiology among children are scarce in these countries. The aims of this work were to perform a nationwide seroprevalence study on HEV infection in Portuguese children and to compare the HEV seropositivity in this 2015 children cohort with results in sera performed 20 years earlier. METHODS Sera (N = 352) from children collected in 2015 from all regions of Portugal were screened for anti-HEV IgG and IgM using the commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay recomWell HEV IgG/IgM (2015 version; Mikrogen, Neuried, Germany), and positive samples were retested by immunodot assay recomLine HEV IgG/IgM (2015 version; Mikrogen, Neuried, Germany). For the comparative assessment of HEV seropositivity of the 2 children cohorts, children's sera (N = 71) archived since 1995 were screened for anti-HEV IgG and results were compared with that of the 2015 cohort, matched by sex, age and region. RESULTS Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 4 children giving an overall HEV seroprevalence in the 2015 cohort of 1.1%. A healthy 10-15-year-old female was found positive for anti-HEV IgM indicating a current or recent HEV infection. No statistically significant difference was observed in HEV seroprevalence regarding gender, age group and region of residence. Comparison of the HEV seropositivity of the 2 children cohorts showed a statistical significant decrease with time (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS This is the first national study of HEV seroprevalence in Portuguese children and the first to demonstrate a decrease of anti-HEV antibodies in this age group over time.
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120
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Berto A, Pham HA, Thao TTN, Vy NHT, Caddy SL, Hiraide R, Tue NT, Goodfellow I, Carrique-Mas JJ, Thwaites GE, Baker S, Boni MF. Hepatitis E in southern Vietnam: Seroepidemiology in humans and molecular epidemiology in pigs. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 65:43-50. [PMID: 28598034 PMCID: PMC6645987 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Viral pathogens account for a significant proportion of the burden of emerging infectious diseases in humans. The Wellcome Trust-Vietnamese Initiative on Zoonotic Infections (WT-VIZIONS) is aiming to understand the circulation of viral zoonotic pathogens in animals that pose a potential risk to human health. Evidence suggests that human exposure and infections with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes (GT) 3 and 4 results from zoonotic transmission. Hypothesising that HEV GT3 and GT4 are circulating in the Vietnamese pig population and can be transmitted to humans, we aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of HEV exposure in a population of farmers and the general population. We additionally performed sequence analysis of HEV in pig populations in the same region to address knowledge gaps regarding HEV circulation and to evaluate if pigs were a potential source of HEV exposure. We found a high prevalence of HEV GT3 viral RNA in pigs (19.1% in faecal samples and 8.2% in rectal swabs) and a high HEV seroprevalence in pig farmers (16.0%) and a hospital-attending population (31.7%) in southern Vietnam. The hospital population was recruited as a general-population proxy even though this particular population subgroup may introduce bias. The detection of HEV RNA in pigs indicates that HEV may be a zoonotic disease risk in this location, although a larger sample size is required to infer an association between HEV positivity in pigs and seroprevalence in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Berto
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Oxford, UK
| | - H A Pham
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - T T N Thao
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - N H T Vy
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - S L Caddy
- UK Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - R Hiraide
- UK Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - N T Tue
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - I Goodfellow
- UK Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - J J Carrique-Mas
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Oxford, UK
| | - G E Thwaites
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Oxford, UK
| | - S Baker
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Oxford, UK.,The Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - M F Boni
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Oxford, UK.,Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
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Li TC, Yoshizaki S, Zhou X, Sentsui H, Shirato K, Matsuyama S, Melaku SK, Bazartseren B, Takeda N, Wakita T. Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in dromedary camels in Ethiopia. J Virol Methods 2017; 246:34-37. [PMID: 28438608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2017.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 03/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The genome of dromedary camel hepatitis E virus (DcHEV) has been detected in stool and serum samples from dromedary camels, but the sero-epidemiological information of DcHEV infection remains unclear. A total of 246 serum samples collected from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Ethiopia, and 40 serum samples from Bactrian camels (Camelus ferus) in Mongolia were examined for the detection of anti-DcHEV IgG antibody by a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by using DcHEV-like particles (DcHEV-LPs) as the antigen. The results revealed that 55 of the 246 (22.4%) dromedary camels were positive for anti-DcHEV IgG, whereas all 40 samples from the Bactrian camels were negative for DcHEV IgG antibody. A total of 98 serum samples from dromedary camels, including 25 anti-DcHEV-IgG positive samples, were used for the detection of DcHEV RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), however, no positive samples were identified. These results suggested that the DcHEV infection occurred in the dromedary camels in Ethiopia. Further studies are required to determine whether Bactrian camels are susceptible to DcHEV infection. In addition, not only DcHEV-LPs, but also virus-like particles (VLPs) delivered from G1, G3 and G5 HEV are likely applicable for the detection of the anti-DcHEV IgG antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan.
| | - Sayaka Yoshizaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
| | - Xianfeng Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hiroshi Sentsui
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Kazuya Shirato
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
| | - Shutoku Matsuyama
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
| | - Simenew Keskes Melaku
- College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Naokazu Takeda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0781, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan
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Hammerschmidt F, Schwaiger K, Dähnert L, Vina-Rodriguez A, Höper D, Gareis M, Groschup MH, Eiden M. Hepatitis E virus in wild rabbits and European brown hares in Germany. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 64:612-622. [PMID: 28371421 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a change of hepatitis E from being a typical travel-associated disease to an autochthonous zoonosis in Germany was observed. An increasing number of autochthonous infections with the hepatitis E Virus (HEV) have been recognized in developed countries. Venison from wild boar is already known to be a potential source of infection, if not prepared properly by the consumer. In Germany, certain wild animals are known to be a reservoir for HEV. However, current information is missing about European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, a total of 833 hunting-harvested animals (European brown hares n = 669; wild rabbits n = 164) were tested for the occurrence of HEV RNA and HEV antibodies. For this, liver and blood specimens were taken after hunts in six German federal states. HEV antibodies were found by ELISA in 2.2% (624/14) of European brown hares, but no HEV RNA was detectable by nested real-time RT-PCR. In contrast, a seroprevalence of 37.3% (126/47) was observed for wild rabbits, and 17.1% (164/28) of the samples were HEV RNA positive. Genomic analysis revealed that these partial sequences clustered within the rabbit clade of HEV-3 genotype. In addition, one rabbit sequence segregated into subtype 3g of HEV-3. Highest seroprevalences for hares and rabbits were detected in the federal states of Bavaria and of Schleswig-Holstein, respectively. Comparing urban, rural and insular areas, the highest seroprevalence was shown for wild rabbits in rural areas and for European brown hares on the northern island Fehmarn. This study provides evidence that European brown hares and wild rabbits from Germany can be infected with HEV. The different prevalences indicate that wild rabbits are a potential reservoir for HEV in Germany, whereas European brown hares seem to be only of minor importance for the epidemiology of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Hammerschmidt
- Chair of Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - K Schwaiger
- Chair of Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - L Dähnert
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - A Vina-Rodriguez
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - D Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M Gareis
- Chair of Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - M H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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123
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Heuser E, Fischer S, Ryll R, Mayer-Scholl A, Hoffmann D, Spahr C, Imholt C, Alfa DM, Fröhlich A, Lüschow D, Johne R, Ehlers B, Essbauer S, Nöckler K, Ulrich RG. Survey for zoonotic pathogens in Norway rat populations from Europe. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2017; 73:341-348. [PMID: 27299665 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Norway rat Rattus norvegicus is an important reservoir of various zoonotic pathogens, such as cowpox virus and Leptospira, but also for agents of no or unknown zoonotic potential. We describe a survey of 426 Norway rats originating from five European countries and different habitats for Leptospira spp., rickettsiae, orthopoxvirus (OPV), avian metapneumovirus subtypes A and B (aMPV) and rat polyomavirus (rat PyV). RESULTS Leptospira DNA was detected in 60 out of 420 (14.3%) rats, and Rickettsia DNA was found in three out of 369 (0.8%) rats investigated. PCR-based typing resulted in the identification of L. interrogans sequence type 17, which corresponds to the serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Rickettsia helvetica respectively. Rat PyV DNA was detected in 103 out of 421 (24.5%) rats. OPV DNA and aMPV RNA were detected in none of the rats, but OPV-specific antibodies were detected in three out of 388 (0.8%) rats. The frequency of single Leptospira and rat PyV infections and coinfections was, independent of sex, greater for adults compared with juveniles/subadults and greater at rural sites compared with urban areas. CONCLUSIONS Study results indicate a broad geographical distribution of Leptospira DNA in rats within Europe, underlining the need to investigate further the potential mechanisms leading to increased prevalence in rural habitats and to assess the relevance to public health. In contrast, rickettsia and OPV infections rarely occurred in wild rat populations. The potential influence of rat PyV on the susceptibility to infections with other pathogens should be investigated in future studies. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Heuser
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Stefan Fischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - René Ryll
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | | | - Donata Hoffmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Carina Spahr
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Imholt
- Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forestry, Vertebrate Research, Münster, Germany
| | - Dewi Murni Alfa
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andreas Fröhlich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Epidemiology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dörte Lüschow
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Poultry Diseases, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reimar Johne
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany
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124
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Simple and specific method for detection of antibodies against hepatitis E virus in mammalian species. J Virol Methods 2016; 238:56-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2016.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 07/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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125
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Production of infectious dromedary camel hepatitis E virus by a reverse genetic system: Potential for zoonotic infection. J Hepatol 2016; 65:1104-1111. [PMID: 27449916 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The pathogenicity, epidemiology and replication mechanism of dromedary camel hepatitis E virus (DcHEV), a novel hepatitis E virus (HEV), has been unclear. Here we used a reverse genetic system to produce DcHEV and examined the possibility of zoonotic infection. METHODS Capped genomic RNA derived from a synthetic DcHEV cDNA was transfected into human hepatocarcinoma cells PLC/PRF/5. The DcHEV capsid protein and RNA were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or RT-qPCR. A neutralization test for DcHEV was carried out by using antisera against HEV-like particles. DcHEV was used to inoculate two cynomolgus monkeys to examine the potential for cross-species infection. RESULTS The transfection of PLC/PRF/5 cells with capped DcHEV RNA resulted in the production of infectious DcHEV. The genome sequence analysis demonstrated that both nucleotide and amino acid changes accumulated during the passages in PLC/PRF/5 cells. The cynomolgus monkeys showed serological signs of infection when DcHEV was intravenously inoculated. DcHEV was neutralized by not only anti-DcHEV-LPs antibody, but also anti-genotype 1 (G1), G3 and G4 HEV-LPs antibodies. Moreover, the monkeys immunized with DcHEV escaped the G3 HEV challenge, indicating that the serotype of DcHEV is similar to those of other human HEVs. CONCLUSIONS Infectious DcHEV was produced using a reverse genetic system and propagated in PLC/PRF/5 cells. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of DcHEV are similar to those of G1, G3 and G4 HEV. DcHEV was experimentally transmitted to primates, demonstrating the possibility of a zoonotic infection by DcHEV. LAY SUMMARY Dromedary camel hepatitis E virus (DcHEV) was produced by a reverse genetic system and grows well in PLC/PRF/5 cells. Cynomolgus monkeys experimentally infected with DcHEV indicated serological signs of infection, suggesting that DcHEV has the potential to cause zoonotic HEV infection.
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126
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Obana S, Shimizu K, Yoshimatsu K, Hasebe F, Hotta K, Isozumi R, Nguyen HT, LE MQ, Yamashiro T, Tsuda Y, Arikawa J. Epizootiological study of rodent-borne hepatitis E virus HEV-C1 in small mammals in Hanoi, Vietnam. J Vet Med Sci 2016; 79:76-81. [PMID: 27795461 PMCID: PMC5289241 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There is concern about the zoonotic potential of rodent-borne hepatitis E virus, designated as HEV-C1. However, epizootiological information about HEV-C1 is
limited. To address this issue, serum samples from 443 small mammals captured at 5 sites in Hanoi, Vietnam, were examined for anti-HEV-C1 IgG antibodies. In
addition, livers of seropositive animals were examined for viral RNA. Anti-HEV-C1 antibodies were detected in 57 (12.9%) of the 443 serum samples. Seropositive
animals were found in all of the sites (4.7% to 22.2%). Anti-HEV-C1 antibodies were detected from 48 (12.3%) of 389 Rattus norvegicus and 9
(19.6%) of 46 R. tanezumi, but were not detected from 8 Suncus murinus. Viral RNAs were detected from 13 (22.8%) of the 57
seropositive rodents. The detection rate of viral RNA in seropositive R. tanezumi (66.7%, 6/9) was significantly higher than that in
seropositive R. norvegicus (14.6%, 7/48). The results suggest that R. tanezumi is more susceptible than R.
norvegicus to HEV-C1 infection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Vietnamese strains were divided into 3 clusters in genetic group 2 of HEV-C1.
Multiple clusters of viruses were detected at several sites without species specificity, suggesting that 3 clusters of HEV-C1 co-circulate in Hanoi,
Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomu Obana
- Department of Microbiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita-15, Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
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127
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Geng Y, Wang Y. Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 948:89-112. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-024-0942-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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128
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Di Martino B, Di Profio F, Melegari I, Sarchese V, Robetto S, Marsilio F, Martella V. Detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in goats. Virus Res 2016; 225:69-72. [PMID: 27647265 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. Genotypes 1 and 2 are restricted to humans, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 also occur in animals and are recognized as zoonotic pathogens. In this study, by screening goat faecal samples collected from six small farms located in the province of Teramo (Abruzzo region, Italy), HEV RNA was found with an overall prevalence of 9.2% (11/119). Upon sequence analysis of a 0.8kb portion of the ORF2 gene, four strains were grouped with animal and human genotype 3 HEVs, subtype c, with the highest match (94.2-99.4% nt identity) to a wild boar strain, WB/P6-15/ITA, identified in the same geographical area in which the six goat farms were located. Further investigations are needed in order to assess if goat may represent an additional active host for HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Di Martino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy.
| | | | - Irene Melegari
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sarchese
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy
| | - Serena Robetto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Malattie degli Animali Selvatici (CeRMAS), Italy
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
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129
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Takahashi M, Kobayashi T, Tanggis, Jirintai S, Mulyanto, Nagashima S, Nishizawa T, Kunita S, Okamoto H. Production of monoclonal antibodies against the ORF3 protein of rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) and demonstration of the incorporation of the ORF3 protein into enveloped rat HEV particles. Arch Virol 2016; 161:3391-3404. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-3047-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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130
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Nan Y, Zhang YJ. Molecular Biology and Infection of Hepatitis E Virus. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1419. [PMID: 27656178 PMCID: PMC5013053 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a viral pathogen transmitted primarily via fecal-oral route. In humans, HEV mainly causes acute hepatitis and is responsible for large outbreaks of hepatitis across the world. The case fatality rate of HEV-induced hepatitis ranges from 0.5 to 3% in young adults and up to 30% in infected pregnant women. HEV strains infecting humans are classified into four genotypes. HEV strains from genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic, whereas those from genotypes 1 and 2 have no known animal reservoirs. Recently, notable progress has been accomplished for better understanding of HEV biology and infection, such as chronic HEV infection, in vitro cell culture system, quasi-enveloped HEV virions, functions of the HEV proteins, mechanism of HEV antagonizing host innate immunity, HEV pathogenesis and vaccine development. However, further investigation on the cross-species HEV infection, host tropism, vaccine efficacy, and HEV-specific antiviral strategy is still needed. This review mainly focuses on molecular biology and infection of HEV and offers perspective new insight of this enigmatic virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China; Molecular Virology Laboratory, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, College ParkMD, USA
| | - Yan-Jin Zhang
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park MD, USA
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131
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Santos M, Mesquita J, Fernandes I, Maltez F, Lino S, Alves L, Abreu-Silva J, Oliveira R, Curran M, Nascimento M. Detection and genetic characterization of imported hepatitis E virus genotype 1 of probable Indian origin, Portugal, 2016. J Clin Virol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2016.08.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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132
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Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in mussels (Mytilus galloprovinciallis), Spain. Food Microbiol 2016; 58:13-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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133
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Matos A, Mesquita J, Gonçalves D, Abreu-Silva J, Luxo C, Nascimento M. Hepatitis E virus subgenotypes 3i and 3f in wastewater of treatment plants of Portugal. J Clin Virol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2016.08.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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134
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Li TC, Yoshizaki S, Ami Y, Suzaki Y, Johne R, Wakita T. No Evidence of Rat Hepatitis E Virus Excretion in Urine Samples of Rats. Jpn J Infect Dis 2016; 70:305-307. [PMID: 27580584 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2016.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To investigate whether rat hepatitis E virus (rat HEV) is excreted in the urine of HEV-infected rats, we infected 3 Wistar and 6 nude rats with rat HEV and examined the rat-HEV RNA in serum, fecal, and urine samples. We detected rat-HEV RNA in the serum and fecal samples of all 9 rats but not in any of the urine samples. Our results suggest that in rats, rat HEV is not transmitted via urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Sayaka Yoshizaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Yasushi Ami
- Division of Experimental Animals Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Yuriko Suzaki
- Division of Experimental Animals Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | | | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
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135
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Shimizu K, Hamaguchi S, Ngo CC, Li TC, Ando S, Yoshimatsu K, Yasuda SP, Koma T, Isozumi R, Tsuda Y, Fujita H, Pham TT, LE MQ, Dang AD, Nguyen TQ, Yoshida LM, Ariyoshi K, Arikawa J. Serological evidence of infection with rodent-borne hepatitis E virus HEV-C1 or antigenically related virus in humans. J Vet Med Sci 2016; 78:1677-1681. [PMID: 27499185 PMCID: PMC5138421 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic potential of a rat-derived hepatitis E virus (HEV), designated as HEV-C1,
remains unknown. To evaluate the risk for HEV-C1 infection in humans, paired sera of 208
hospitalized febrile patients collected from 2001 to 2003 in Hanoi, Vietnam, were examined
for IgG antibodies to HEV-C1 and genotype 1 HEV (HEV-1), which is common in humans. IgG
antibodies to virus-like particles (VLPs) of HEV-C1 and/or HEV-1 were detected from 99 of
the 208 convalescent sera in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG antibody
titers to HEV-C1 antigen in 3 of the 99 sera were more than 8-fold higher than those to
HEV-1 antigen. IgM antibodies to HEV-C1 antigen were detected in acute sera from 2 of the
3 patients in ELISA and Western blotting. However, no HEV genome was detected. Clinical
information was available for 1 of the 2 patients. Hepatic enzymes, aspartate
aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, were mildly elevated (156
IU/l and 68 IU/l, respectively), and hepatomegaly was
detected by ultrasonography. The patient recovered from the illness after 17 days. These
results indicated that HEV-C1 or its variants infect humans in Vietnam and may cause acute
febrile illness with mild liver dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Shimizu
- Department of Microbiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita-15, Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8638, Japan
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Debing Y, Mishra N, Verbeken E, Ramaekers K, Dallmeier K, Neyts J. A rat model for hepatitis E virus. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:1203-1210. [PMID: 27483350 PMCID: PMC5087834 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.024406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the prime causes of acute viral hepatitis, and chronic hepatitis E is increasingly recognized as an important problem in the transplant setting. Nevertheless, the fundamental understanding of the biology of HEV replication is limited and there are few therapeutic options. The development of such therapies is partially hindered by the lack of a robust and convenient animal model. We propose the infection of athymic nude rats with the rat HEV strain LA-B350 as such a model. A cDNA clone, pLA-B350, was constructed and the infectivity of its capped RNA transcripts was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, a subgenomic replicon, pLA-B350/luc, was constructed and validated for in vitro antiviral studies. Interestingly, rat HEV proved to be less sensitive to the antiviral activity of α-interferon, ribavirin and mycophenolic acid than genotype 3 HEV (a strain that infects humans). As a proof-of-concept, part of the C-terminal polymerase sequence of pLA-B350/luc was swapped with its genotype 3 HEV counterpart: the resulting chimeric replicon replicated with comparable efficiency as the wild-type construct, confirming that LA-B350 strain is amenable to humanization (replacement of certain sequences or motifs by their counterparts from human HEV strains). Finally, ribavirin effectively inhibited LA-B350 replication in athymic nude rats, confirming the suitability of the rat model for antiviral studies. Summary: Rat hepatitis E virus strain LA-B350 is used as a model for antiviral studies for hepatitis E virus using a cDNA clone, replicon and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Debing
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Niraj Mishra
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Erik Verbeken
- Department of Imaging & Pathology, Translational Cell & Tissue Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kaat Ramaekers
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kai Dallmeier
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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137
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Detection and genetic characterization of hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 subtype c in wild boars in Italy. Arch Virol 2016; 161:2829-34. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-2964-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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138
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Kobayashi T, Takahashi M, Jirintai S, Nagashima S, Nishizawa T, Okamoto H. Characterization and epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies raised against rat hepatitis E virus capsid protein: An evaluation of their neutralizing activity in a cell culture system. J Virol Methods 2016; 233:78-88. [PMID: 26992654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of acute hepatitis. Rat HEV is a recently discovered virus related to, but distinct from, human HEV. Since laboratory rats can be reproducibly infected with rat HEV and a cell culture system has been established for rat HEV, this virus may be used as a surrogate virus for human HEV, enabling studies on virus replication and mechanism of infection. However, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against rat HEV capsid (ORF2) protein are not available. In this study, 12 murine MAbs were generated against a recombinant ORF2 protein of rat HEV (rRatHEV-ORF2: amino acids 101-644) and were classified into at least six distinct groups by epitope mapping and a cross-reactivity analysis with human HEV ORF2 proteins. Two non-cross-reactive MAbs recognizing the protruding (P) domain detected both non-denatured and denatured rRatHEV-ORF2 protein and efficiently captured cell culture-produced rat HEV particles that had been treated with deoxycholate and trypsin, but not those without prior treatment. In addition, these two MAbs were able to efficiently neutralize replication of cell culture-generated rat HEV particles without lipid membranes (but not those with lipid membranes) in a cell culture system, similar to human HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tominari Kobayashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Suljid Jirintai
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nishizawa
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
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139
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Montesano C, Giovanetti M, Ciotti M, Cella E, Lo Presti A, Grifoni A, Zehender G, Angeletti S, Ciccozzi M. Hepatitis E Virus Circulation in Italy: Phylogenetic and Evolutionary Analysis. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2016; 16:e31951. [PMID: 27226798 PMCID: PMC4875568 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.31951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries, has been classified into four main genotypes and a number of subtypes. New genotypes have been recently identified in various mammals, including HEV genotype 3, which has a worldwide distribution. It is widespread among pigs in developed countries. OBJECTIVES This study investigated the genetic diversity of HEV among humans and swine in Italy. The date of origin and the demographic history of the HEV were also estimated. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 327 HEV sequences of swine and humans from Italy were downloaded from the national centre for biotechnology information. Three different data sets were constructed. The first and the second data set were used to confirm the genotype of the sequences analyzed. The third data set was used to estimate the mean evolutionary rate and to determine the time-scaled phylogeny and demographic history. RESULTS The Bayesian maximum clade credibility tree and the time of the most common recent ancestor estimates showed that the root of the tree dated back to the year 1907 (95% HPD: 1811 - 1975). Two main clades were found, divided into two subclades. Skyline plot analysis, performed separately for human and swine sequences, demonstrated the presence of a bottleneck only in the skyline plot from the swine sequences. Selective pressure analysis revealed only negatively selected sites. CONCLUSIONS This study provides support for the hypothesis that humans are probably infected after contact with swine sources. The findings emphasize the importance of checking the country of origin of swine and of improving sanitary control measures from the veterinary standpoint to prevent the spread of HEV infection in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Montesano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cella
- Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Institute Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Lo Presti
- Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Institute Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gianguglielmo Zehender
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology Laboratory, University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Institute Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy
- Clinical Pathology and Microbiology Laboratory, University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
- Corresponding Author: Massimo Ciccozzi, Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, Department of Infectious Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Reference Centre on Phylogeny, Institute Superiore di Sanita, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy. Tel: +39-0649903187, E-mail:
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140
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Mesquita JR, Myrmel M, Stene-Johansen K, Øverbø J, Nascimento MSJ. A Public Health initiative on hepatitis E virus epidemiology, safety and control in Portugal--study protocol. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:17. [PMID: 26774897 PMCID: PMC4715291 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1341-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The discovery of autochthonous hepatitis E in industrialized countries has changed the understanding of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in these regions, now known to be mainly due to zoonotic transmission of genotype 3. The foodborne route of transmission via consumption of contaminated meat from HEV infected pigs is well documented as well as the direct occupational exposure to animal reservoirs. Accumulating evidence also points to an emerging potential threat to blood safety after the identification of viremic blood donors and the documentation of HEV-contaminated blood or blood products. Moreover, the origin of several iatrogenic cases remains unclear and porcine-derived pharmaceutic products have been suspected as a cause. Severe morbidity following HEV infection in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy and in those with severe immunodeficiency from other causes has been recently recognized as a serious consequence of this infection in industrialized countries. In Portugal no large-scale HEV seroprevalence study has been undertaken, no professional risk groups have been identified, and the risk of blood donation from HEV silent infected donors is unknown. The present paper describes seroepidemiological and molecular approaches to answer these questions. Methods/design To address these issues a study protocol was designed that will approach: i) the seroprevalence of HEV among the Portuguese general population; ii) HEV infection among butchers and slaughterhouse workers (occupational risk); iii) the silent HEV infection in Portuguese blood donors (HEV transfusion-associated risk); iv) the potential HEV contamination of porcine-derived pharmaceutical products. Commercial enzyme immunoassays and real-time/conventional RT-PCR assays will be used. Discussion This study is the first evaluation of the seroepidemiological status to HEV infection of the Portuguese population, the first to potentially identify professional risk groups, and to evaluate the safety of blood and blood products and porcine-derived pharmaceutics in Portugal. It will generate valuable data applicable for preventive and control measures against HEV infection (e.g., introduction of systematic screening of blood donors, control of blood products or porcine derived pharmaceutical products), thus helping to manage the burden of this viral disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- João R Mesquita
- Escola Superior Agrária de Viseu, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal.
| | - Mette Myrmel
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
| | | | - Joakim Øverbø
- Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Maria S J Nascimento
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.° 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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142
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Szabo K, Trojnar E, Anheyer-Behmenburg H, Binder A, Schotte U, Ellerbroek L, Klein G, Johne R. Detection of hepatitis E virus RNA in raw sausages and liver sausages from retail in Germany using an optimized method. Int J Food Microbiol 2015; 215:149-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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143
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Li TC, Yang T, Yoshizaki S, Ami Y, Suzaki Y, Ishii K, Kishida N, Shirakura M, Asanuma H, Takeda N, Wakita T. Ferret hepatitis E virus infection induces acute hepatitis and persistent infection in ferrets. Vet Microbiol 2015; 183:30-6. [PMID: 26790932 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Ferret hepatitis E virus (HEV), a novel hepatitis E virus, has been identified in ferrets. However, the pathogenicity of ferret HEV remains unclear. In the present study, we compared the HEV RNA-positivity rates and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of 63 ferrets between before and after import from the US to Japan. We found that the ferret HEV-RNA positivity rates were increased from 12.7% (8/63) to 60.3% (38/63), and ALT elevation was observed in 65.8% (25/38) of the ferret HEV RNA-positive ferrets, indicating that ferret HEV infection is responsible for liver damage. From long term-monitoring of ferret HEV infection we determined that this infection in ferrets exhibits three patterns: sub-clinical infection, acute hepatitis, and persistent infection. The ALT elevation was also observed in ferret HEV-infected ferrets in a primary infection experiment. These results indicate that the ferret HEV infection induced acute hepatitis and persistent infection in ferrets, suggesting that the ferrets are a candidate animal model for immunological as well as pathological studies of hepatitis E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Virology II, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
| | - Tingting Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Jiangsu Road 16, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Sayaka Yoshizaki
- Department of Virology II, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ami
- Division of Experimental Animals Research, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Yuriko Suzaki
- Division of Experimental Animals Research, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Koji Ishii
- Department of Virology II, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Noriko Kishida
- Influenza Virus Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Masayuki Shirakura
- Influenza Virus Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Hideki Asanuma
- Influenza Virus Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Naokazu Takeda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0781, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
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144
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Xu M, Behloul N, Wen J, Zhang J, Meng J. Role of asparagine at position 562 in dimerization and immunogenicity of the hepatitis E virus capsid protein. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2015; 37:99-107. [PMID: 26584510 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) capsid protein, pORF2, contains 2 potential N-glycosylation sites, N137 and N310, located in the S domain, and one site, N562, in the P domain. The last domain located at positions 454-606 aa forms a protruding spike from the shell, with N562 being located in the apical center of the spike, which is also a cell-attachment region and neutralizing antigenic site. Here, we expressed in Pichia pastoris a recombinant polypeptide p179 comprising the region of 439-617 aa of the HEV pORF2 as well as a set of 4 mutant proteins containing substitutions of Q, D, P and Y instead of N at position 562. All proteins were shown to be secreted from yeast. Using SDS-PAGE, Western blot analysis and tunicamycin treatment assay, we showed that the wild-type (wt) protein, p179N562, and 2 mutant variants, p179N562Q and p179N562D, formed homodimers but only the wt protein was shown to be glycosylated. As homodimers, all 3 proteins were immunoreactive with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (5G5); however, they did not immunoreact with 5G5 after denaturation into monomers. Two other mutant variants, p179N562P and p179N562Y, did not form homodimers but were immunoreactive with the 5G5 antibody. The wt protein was shown to be less immunoreactive with 5G5 than the mutant variants in a double-antibody sandwich ELISA, suggesting a role of glycosylation at N562 in reducing antibody binding. In vitro neutralization experiments showed a more efficient neutralization with mouse antibody against p179N562P and p179N562Y than against the other 3 proteins. These findings indicate that specific substitutions at position 562 have a more measurable effect on the activity of the HEV neutralizing epitope than dimerization or glycosylation of the structural protein. Furthermore, the secretion of monomers fully immunoreactive may call into question the importance of dimerization for an effective presentation of HEV neutralization epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjie Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University, School of Medicine, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
| | - Nouredine Behloul
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University, School of Medicine, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
| | - Jiyue Wen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University, School of Medicine, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University, School of Medicine, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
| | - Jihong Meng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University, School of Medicine, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
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Mesquita J, Abreu-Silva J, Sousa J, Aguiar A, Nascimento M. Evidence of autochthonous hepatitis E in a Portuguese pediatric cohort, 1992-1995. J Med Virol 2015; 88:919-21. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - J. Abreu-Silva
- Laboratory of Microbiology; Faculty of Farmacy of University of Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - J.C. Sousa
- CEBIMED, Faculty of Health Sciences; University Fernando Pessoa; Porto Portugal
| | - A. Aguiar
- Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto; Porto Portugal
| | - M.S.J. Nascimento
- Laboratory of Microbiology; Faculty of Farmacy of University of Porto; Porto Portugal
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146
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Costanzo N, Sarno E, Peretti V, Ciambrone L, Casalinuovo F, Santoro A. Serological and Molecular Investigation of Swine Hepatitis E Virus in Pigs Raised in Southern Italy. J Food Prot 2015; 78:2099-102. [PMID: 26555536 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-15-159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a common acute hepatitis transmitted by the fecal-oral route. In developed countries, the virus has a zoonotic potential, and domestic pigs and wild boars are considered main reservoirs. To assess the prevalence of HEV-positive animals in the Calabria region (southern Italy) on a serological and molecular level, a total of 216 autochthonous healthy pigs (Apulo-Calabrese breed) were sampled. Both sera and feces were collected. Pigs were grouped based on age: 117 pigs <6 months and 99 pigs >6 months. By using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system, a total of 173 (80%) of the 216 pigs tested seropositive. In all sampled farms (n = 8), pigs with antibodies (immunoglobulin G) against HEV were detected at a level higher than 60%, with a significant difference among age groups (P < 0.0001). Moreover, 16 fattening pigs were found to be nested reverse transcription PCR positive and thus to shed viral genomes in their feces. These positive findings resulted in a prevalence of 48.4% on the farm level (16 of 35 pigs) and an overall prevalence of 7.4% at the animal level (16 of 216 pigs). Based on the present study, HEV seems to circulate among the autochthonous domestic pig population of southern Italy with a low sharing rate. Further studies exploring the origin of infection are needed to minimize the risk of human exposure and to reduce consequences for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Costanzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università Magna Graecia di Catanzaro, Viale Europa-Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Sarno
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Univerity of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 272, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vincenzo Peretti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia Ciambrone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno-Sezione di Catanzaro, viale Crotone, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Casalinuovo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno-Sezione di Catanzaro, viale Crotone, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Adriano Santoro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
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147
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[Hepatitis E virus: opinions of the Working Group of the Federal Ministry of Health Blood]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2015; 58:198-218. [PMID: 25608627 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-014-2103-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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148
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Serracca L, Battistini R, Rossini I, Mignone W, Peletto S, Boin C, Pistone G, Ercolini R, Ercolini C. Molecular Investigation on the Presence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Wild Game in North-Western Italy. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2015; 7:206-12. [PMID: 26006251 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-015-9201-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Meat products from HEV-infected reservoir animal species are capable of transmitting HEV to humans and represent a public health concern. Human HEV cases have been linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked pig liver sausages, pork, and game meats, such as wild boars and deer worldwide. Direct exposure to swine or wild game species might also represent a source of HEV transmission especially for veterinarians, hunters, or butchers. A limited amount of data is available on HEV prevalence in wild boars in Italy and no data are available for other wild game species intended for human consumption. In this study, the circulation of HEV in four different animal species hunted in north-western Italy was evaluated to gain insight into the infection levels and the genetic diversity of the virus in such animal populations. Liver samples of 372 wild boars, 30 roe deer, 47 European hares and 38 coypus were analyzed for HEV RNA by real-time RT-PCR; positive samples were then sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis. HEV RNA was detected in the livers of 7/372 (1.9%) wild boars tested, while no sample was positive for roe deer, European hare, and coypu. Phylogenetic analysis showed that wild boar HEV sequences belonged to HEV subtypes 3e, 3c, and 3f. Our results indicate that HEV is circulating only in wild boar among the considered game species in north-western Italy and suggest a potential zoonotic risk related to handling and/or consumption of raw or undercooked meat and products made of the liver from this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Serracca
- IZSPLVA - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta - Sezione La Spezia, Via degli Stagnoni 96, 19100, La Spezia, Italy,
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149
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Swine and rabbits are the main reservoirs of hepatitis E virus in China: detection of HEV RNA in feces of farmed and wild animals. Arch Virol 2015; 160:2791-8. [PMID: 26303139 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is recognized as a zoonosis. The prevalence of HEV RNA and anti-HEV antibodies in many animal species has been reported, but the host range of HEV is unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate HEV infection in various animal species and to determine the reservoirs of HEV. Eight hundred twenty-two fecal samples from 17 mammal species and 67 fecal samples from 24 avian species were collected in China and tested for HEV RNA by RT-nPCR. The products of PCR were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. The positive rates of HEV RNA isolated from pigs in Beijing, Shandong, and Henan were 33%, 30%, and 92%, respectively, and that from rabbits in Beijing was 5%. HEV RNA was not detectable in farmed foxes, sheep or sika deer, or in wild animals in zoos, including wild boars, yaks, camels, Asiatic black bears, African lions, red pandas, civets, wolves, jackals and primates. Sequence analysis revealed that swine isolates had 97.8%-98.4% nucleotide sequence identity to genotype 4d isolates from patients in Shandong and Jiangsu of China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that swine HEV isolates belong to genotype 4, including subgenotype 4h in Henan and 4d in Beijing and Shandong. The rabbit HEV strains shared 93%-99% nucleotide sequence identity with rabbit strains isolated from Inner Mongolia. In conclusion, swine and rabbits have been confirmed to be the main reservoirs of HEV in China.
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150
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Wu J, Si F, Jiang C, Li T, Jin M. Molecular detection of hepatitis E virus in sheep from southern Xinjiang, China. Virus Genes 2015; 50:410-7. [PMID: 25833205 PMCID: PMC4445917 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-015-1194-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of infectious hepatitis in animals and humans both in developing and developed countries. Here, we collected 500 sheep sera and 75 raw sheep liver samples from a slaughterhouse in the southern part of the Xinjiang region, China, along with 26 sera of butchers from the same slaughterhouse. All serum samples were tested for anti-HEV antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both serum and liver samples were evaluated for the presence of HEV RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction targeting partial nucleotide sequences of open reading frame 2 (ORF2). The results indicate that sheep seroprevalence was 35.20 % (176/500) and that four of the 75 (5.3 %) sheep livers showed detectable amounts of HEV RNA. The seroprevalence of the butchers was 57.7 % (15/26). The four amplicons shared 97.8-100 % nucleotide sequence identity and had pairwise sequence identities of 81.6-85.3 %, 84.2-85.3 %, 82.1-85.3 % and 84.7-97.9 % with the corresponding regions of genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 of HEV, respectively. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on alignments of an amplified 186-bp ORF2 sequence and corresponding reference strains. The analysis showed that the four sheep strains detected in our study formed a lineage within a genotype 4 cluster that contains hb-3, bjsw1, T1, swCH189 and swCH25, all of which belong to genotype 4, subtype 4d. The results indicated a high level of seroconversion in sheep and suggested that sheep liver may be a source of foodborne HEV infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China,
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