1
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Deng H, Chen Y, Liang S, Liang X, Dang S, Liu H, Qiu J. Near full-length genome analysis of HEV 4b subtype in pigs showed a similarity up to 99.944% compared to a patient in Guangdong province, China. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29777. [PMID: 38949212 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a prevalent pathogen responsible for acute viral hepatitis, HEV genotypes 3 and 4 infections causing zoonotic infections. Currently, the nucleotide similarity analysis between humans and pigs for HEV genotype 4 is limited. In this study, stool samples from an HEV-infected patient who is a pig farmer and from pigs were collected to obtain the near full-length genome of HEV, phylogenetic trees were constructed for genotyping, and similarity of HEV sequences was analyzed. The results showed that HEV-RNA was detected in the stool samples from the patient and six pigs (6/30, 20.0%). Both HEV subtype in the patient and pigs was 4b. Additionally, similarity analysis showed that the range was 99.875%-99.944% between the patient and pigs at the nucleotide level. Four isolates of amino acid sequences (ORFs 1-3) from pigs were 100% identical to the patient. Phylogenetic tree and similarity analysis of an additional nine HEV sequences isolated from other patients in this region showed that the HEV sequence from the pig farmer had the closest relationship with the pigs from his farm rather than other sources of infection in this region. This study provides indirect evidences for HEV subtype 4b can be transmitted from pigs to humans at the nucleotide level. Further research is needed to explore the characteristics of different HEV subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haohui Deng
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City (Longjiang Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City), Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanting Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City (Longjiang Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City), Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuzhen Liang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City (Longjiang Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City), Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoting Liang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City (Longjiang Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City), Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuyuan Dang
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City (Longjiang Hospital of Shunde District, Foshan City), Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Huiyuan Liu
- Department of Hepatology Center, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiuxiang Qiu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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2
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Lorusso P, Pandiscia A, Manfredi A, Tantillo GM, Terio V. Evaluation of hepatitis E virus RNA persistence in experimentally contaminated cured pork liver sausages. Ital J Food Saf 2024; 13:12286. [PMID: 38846049 PMCID: PMC11154169 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2024.12286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a disease sustained by RNA viruses, which have four different genotypes, all of which are responsible for acute forms of hepatitis. Genotypes 1 and 2 infect only humans, causing epidemics mainly transmitted by contaminated water, while geno-types 3 and 4 are zoonotic, and the infection is linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked meat or meat products. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 3 and 4 have been detected in domestic Suidae, considered the asymptomatic reservoir of HEV, and in wild animals such as wild boar and deer. Despite scientific studies that have highlighted the presence of HEV in cured meat products, such as pork liver sausages, the viral persistence in the different production steps of curing has not been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the persistence of HEV genotype 3 during the different curing and storage times of experimentally contaminated pork liver sausages using biomolecular methods. The sausages tested positive at all curing and storage times. This study confirms the potential risk attributed to pork liver sausages in HEV transmission. However, to guarantee an efficient risk assessment, future studies will be performed to correlate the presence of HEV RNA with infectious viral particles.
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3
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Hinrichs JB, Kreitlow A, Siekmann L, Plötz M, Kemper N, Abdulmawjood A. Changes in Hepatitis E Virus Contamination during the Production of Liver Sausage from Naturally Contaminated Pig Liver and the Potential of Individual Production Parameters to Reduce Hepatitis E Virus Contamination in the Processing Chain. Pathogens 2024; 13:274. [PMID: 38668229 PMCID: PMC11053659 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, changes in hepatitis E virus (HEV) contamination in the production of liver sausage from naturally contaminated pork liver were investigated. Furthermore, the potential effectiveness of individual production parameters in reducing viral loads was measured. When processing moderately contaminated liver (initial Cq-value 29), HEV RNA persisted in the finished sausages, even after heating for 90 min at 75 °C. A matrix-specific standard curve was created using a spiking experiment to accurately quantify HEV RNA in a particularly challenging matrix like liver sausage. Variations in product-specific production parameters, including mincing and heating times, showed some reduction in contamination levels, but even prolonged heating did not render all finished products HEV negative. The persistence of HEV contamination underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring in the pig population and raw materials to enhance food safety measures and reduce the likelihood of transmission through pork consumption. The detection of HEV RNA within all processing stages of pork liver in the production of liver sausage suggests that further research into the risk of infection posed by this detection and vigilance in managing HEV risks in the food chain, particularly in pork products, are required to protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Bernd Hinrichs
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (L.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Antonia Kreitlow
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (L.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Lisa Siekmann
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (L.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Madeleine Plötz
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (L.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviors, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Amir Abdulmawjood
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (L.S.); (M.P.)
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4
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Milojević L, Velebit B, Janković V, Mitrović R, Betić N, Simunović S, Dimitrijević M. Prevalence, Genetic Diversity, and Quantification of the RNA Genome of the Hepatitis E Virus in Slaughtered Pigs in Serbia. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:586. [PMID: 38396554 PMCID: PMC10886375 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study conducted in Serbia was to detect HEV in pig liver samples from slaughterhouses, retail outlets, and environmental swabs over the course of a year. All positive HEV samples were measured and expressed as HEV gene copy numbers per gram of sample, and a representative number of samples were sequenced using the Sanger approach. A total of 45 HEV-positive samples were re-amplified using nested RT-PCR employing CODEHOP primers targeting ORF2 (493 nucleotides). The average prevalence of the HEV genotype 3 in all pig liver samples from the slaughterhouses was 29%, while HEV prevalence was 44% in liver samples from animals younger than 3 months. HEV RNA was found in thirteen out of sixty (22%) environmental swab samples that were taken from different surfaces along the slaughter line. Our findings confirmed seasonal patterns in HEV prevalence, with two picks (summer and winter periods) during the one-year examination. Among HEV-positive samples, the average viral particles for all positive liver samples was 4.41 ± 1.69 log10 genome copies per gram. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the majority of HEV strains (43/45) from Serbia were grouped in the HEV-3a subtype, while two strains were classified into the HEV-3c subtype, and one strain could not be classified into any of the HEV-3 subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazar Milojević
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.V.); (V.J.); (R.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Branko Velebit
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.V.); (V.J.); (R.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Vesna Janković
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.V.); (V.J.); (R.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Radmila Mitrović
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.V.); (V.J.); (R.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Nikola Betić
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.V.); (V.J.); (R.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Sara Simunović
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.V.); (V.J.); (R.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Mirjana Dimitrijević
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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5
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Bennett C, Coughlan S, Hunt K, Butler F, Fanning S, Ryan E, De Gascun C, O'Gorman J. Detection of hepatitis E RNA in pork products at point of retail in Ireland - Are consumers at risk? Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 410:110492. [PMID: 37988969 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E (HEV), a zoonotic virus, is the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis in Europe. The presence of HEV in domestic pigs can result in infections in humans through consumption of pork products which are undercooked or where processing methods are insufficient to inactivate the virus. In Ireland, pork accounts for 34 % of all meat consumption (CSO, 2022) and the prevalence of HEV in products at point of retail has not previously been characterised. A sampling strategy was designed in which high pork content sausages, fresh pork liver and raw fermented sausages were systematically purchased from three types of retailers between May 2018 and March 2019. In total, 200 pork products were tested using a lysing agent to release the HEV from the product for detection. RT-PCR for HEV was performed on samples with an extraction efficiency >1 % (n = 188/200) (94 %). Low level HEV RNA was detected in 9/188 (4.8 %) pork products tested. The highest incidence of HEV RNA was in pork liver where 6/25 (24 %) samples were positive. The concentration of HEV ranged from 0.02 - to 9.4 genome copies/g of pork. Based on these data an exposure assessment was performed which found that if consumers followed advice from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to achieve core temperatures of 70 °C or higher when cooking, the risk was likely to be negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Bennett
- UCD-National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Suzie Coughlan
- UCD-National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kevin Hunt
- UCD-School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Francis Butler
- UCD-School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Séamus Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Eoin Ryan
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Department Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM), Backweston, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Cillian De Gascun
- UCD-National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Joanne O'Gorman
- UCD-National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Locus T, Lambrecht E, Lamoral S, Willems S, Van Gucht S, Vanwolleghem T, Peeters M. A Multifaceted Approach for Evaluating Hepatitis E Virus Infectivity In Vitro: Cell Culture and Innovative Molecular Methods for Integrity Assessment. Vet Sci 2023; 10:676. [PMID: 38133227 PMCID: PMC10748075 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10120676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus is a prominent cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. In Western countries, most infections are asymptomatic. However, acute self-limiting hepatitis and chronic cases in immunocompromised individuals can occur. Studying HEV is challenging due to its difficulty to grow in cell culture. Consequently, the detection of the virus mainly relies on RT-qPCR, which cannot differentiate between infectious and non-infectious particles. To overcome this problem, methods assessing viral integrity offer a possible solution to differentiate between intact and damaged viruses. This study aims at optimizing existing HEV cell culture models and RT-qPCR-based assays for selectively detecting intact virions to establish a reliable model for assessing HEV infectivity. In conclusion, these newly developed methods hold promise for enhancing food safety by identifying approaches for inactivating HEV in food processing, thereby increasing food safety measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Locus
- Fisheries and Food, Technology and Food Unit, Flemish Research Institute for Agriculture (ILVO), Brusselsesteenweg 370, 9090 Melle, Belgium or (T.L.); (E.L.)
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, Engelandstraat 642, 1180 Ukkel, Belgium
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Viral Hepatitis Research Group, University of Antwerp, Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Ellen Lambrecht
- Fisheries and Food, Technology and Food Unit, Flemish Research Institute for Agriculture (ILVO), Brusselsesteenweg 370, 9090 Melle, Belgium or (T.L.); (E.L.)
| | - Sophie Lamoral
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, Engelandstraat 642, 1180 Ukkel, Belgium
| | - Sjarlotte Willems
- Fisheries and Food, Technology and Food Unit, Flemish Research Institute for Agriculture (ILVO), Brusselsesteenweg 370, 9090 Melle, Belgium or (T.L.); (E.L.)
| | - Steven Van Gucht
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, Engelandstraat 642, 1180 Ukkel, Belgium
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Viral Hepatitis Research Group, University of Antwerp, Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Michael Peeters
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, Engelandstraat 642, 1180 Ukkel, Belgium
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7
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Augustyniak A, Pomorska-Mól M. An Update in Knowledge of Pigs as the Source of Zoonotic Pathogens. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3281. [PMID: 37894005 PMCID: PMC10603695 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The available data indicate that the human world population will constantly grow in the subsequent decades. This constant increase in the number of people on the Earth will lead to growth in food demand, especially in food of high nutritional value. Therefore, it is expected that the world livestock population will also increase. Such a phenomenon enhances the risk of transmitting pathogens to humans. As pig production is one of the most significant branches of the world's livestock production, zoonoses of porcine origins seem to be of particular importance. Therefore, in this review, we aim to introduce the latest data concerning, among other things, epidemiology and available preventive measures to control the most significant porcine zoonoses of viral, bacterial, and parasitic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
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8
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Carella E, Oberto F, Romano A, Peletto S, Vitale N, Costa A, Caruso C, Chiavacci L, Acutis PL, Pite L, Masoero L. Molecular and serological investigation of Hepatitis E virus in pigs slaughtered in Northwestern Italy. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:21. [PMID: 36698186 PMCID: PMC9875460 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03578-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is recently considered an emerging public health concern. HEV genotypes 1 and 2 are widely distributed and pathogenic only for humans. In contrast, HEV, genotypes 3 and 4 are observed in swine, deer, wild boars and rabbits and can also be transmitted to humans. The presence of HEV in the liver, muscle, faeces, blood, and bile was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 156 pigs belonging to twenty different farms, ranging from 1 to 8 months of age. The phylogenetic analysis was performed on the viral strain present in the positive biological matrix, with the lowest Ct. HEV-IgG and HEV-IgM in the sera were analysed by two different ELISA kits. RESULTS Twenty-one pigs, i.e., 13.46% of them (21/156, 95% CI: 8.53%-19.84%), tested positive for HEV in at least one biological matrix by real-time RT-PCR, while phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of HEV subtypes 3f and 3c. Pig serums analysed by ELISA showed an overall prevalence of 26.92% (42/156, 95% CI: 20.14%-34.60%) for HEV-IgG, whereas the 28.95% (33/114, 95% CI: 20.84%-38.19%) of them tested negative resulted positive for the HEV-IgM. CONCLUSIONS The faeces are the biological matrix with the highest probability of detecting HEV. The best concordance value (Kappa Kohen index) and the highest positive correlation (Phi index) were observed for the correlation between bile and liver, even when the number of positive liver samples was lower than the positive bile samples. This finding may suggest that a higher probability of HEV occurs in the bile, when the virus is present in the liver, during the stages of infection. Finally, the presence of HEV in muscle was observed in 11 pigs, usually used for the preparation of some dishes, typical of the Italian tradition, based on raw or undercooked meat. Therefore, their consumption is a possible source of infection for final consumer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Carella
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Oberto
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Angelo Romano
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Simone Peletto
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Vitale
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Annalisa Costa
- grid.476863.80000 0004 1755 6398Azienda Sanitaria Locale CN2, Via Gerolamo Vida 10, 12051 Alba (CN), Italy
| | - Claudio Caruso
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale CN1, Via Pier Carlo Boggio 12, 12100 Cuneo, Italy
| | - Laura Chiavacci
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Pier Luigi Acutis
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Ledi Pite
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Loretta Masoero
- grid.425427.20000 0004 1759 3180Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria E Valle d’ Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Turin, Italy
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Geng Y, Shi T, Wang Y. Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:73-92. [PMID: 37223860 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) occurs predominantly by the fecal-oral route. Large epidemics of hepatitis E in the developing countries of Asia and Africa are waterborne and spread through contaminated drinking water. The reservoir of HEV in developed countries is believed to be in animals with zoonotic transmission to humans, possibly through direct contact or the consumption of undercooked contaminated meat. And HEV transmission through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and vertical transmission has been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansheng Geng
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Tengfei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Youchun Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.
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10
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Wang K, Liu L, Wang J, Sun X, Han Q, Zhou C, Xu X, Wang J. Quantification of hepatitis E virus in raw pork livers using droplet digital RT-PCR. Food Microbiol 2022; 109:104114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2022.104114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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11
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Unravelling microbial populations and volatile organic compounds of artisan fermented liver sausages manufactured in Central Italy. Food Res Int 2022; 154:111019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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12
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Cook N, D’Agostino M, Wood A, Scobie L. Real-Time PCR-Based Methods for Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Pork Products: A Critical Review. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020428. [PMID: 35208881 PMCID: PMC8877315 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Standard methods for detection of hepatitis A virus and norovirus in at-risk foodstuffs are available, but currently there is no standard method for detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in pork products or other foods that can be contaminated with the virus. Detection assays for HEV are mainly based on nucleic acid amplification, particularly the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) in real-time format. RTPCR-based methods can be sensitive and specific, but they require a suite of controls to verify that they have performed correctly. There have been several RTPCR methods developed to detect HEV in pork products, varying in details of sample preparation and RTPCR target sequences. This review critically discusses published HEV detection methods, with emphasis on those that have been successfully used in subsequent studies and surveys. RTPCR assays have been used both qualitatively and quantitatively, although in the latter case the data acquired are only reliable if appropriate assay calibration has been performed. One particular RTPCR assay appears to be ideal for incorporation in a standard method, as it has been demonstrated to be highly specific and sensitive, and an appropriate control and calibration standard is available. The review focuses on the detection of HEV in pork products and similar foodstuffs (e.g., boar). The information may be useful to inform standardisation activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Cook
- Jorvik Food Safety Services, York YO32 2GN, UK
- Correspondence: (N.C.); (L.S.)
| | | | - Ann Wood
- Campden BRI, Chipping Campden GL55 6LD, UK; (M.D.); (A.W.)
| | - Linda Scobie
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
- Correspondence: (N.C.); (L.S.)
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13
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Moro O, Suffredini E, Isopi M, Tosti ME, Schembri P, Scavia G. Quantitative Methods for the Prioritization of Foods Implicated in the Transmission of Hepatititis E to Humans in Italy. Foods 2021; 11:foods11010087. [PMID: 35010213 PMCID: PMC8750432 DOI: 10.3390/foods11010087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E is considered an emerging foodborne disease in Europe. Several types of foods are implicated in the transmission of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) to humans, in particular, pork and wild boar products. We developed a parametric stochastic model to estimate the risk of foodborne exposure to HEV in the Italian population and to rank the relevance of pork products with and without liver (PL and PNL, respectively), leafy vegetables, shellfish and raw milk in HEV transmission. Original data on HEV prevalence in different foods were obtained from a recent sampling study conducted in Italy at the retail level. Other data were obtained by publicly available sources and published literature. The model output indicated that the consumption of PNL was associated with the highest number of HEV infections in the population. However, the sensitivity analysis showed that slight variations in the consumption of PL led to an increase in the number of HEV infections much higher than PNL, suggesting that PL at an individual level are the top risky food. Uncertainty analysis underlined that further characterization of the pork products preparation and better assessment of consumption data at a regional level is critical information for fine-tuning the most risky implicated food items in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Moro
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.S.); (G.S.)
- Department of Mathematics, University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Marco Isopi
- Department of Mathematics, University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Elena Tosti
- National Center for Global Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Pietro Schembri
- Regional Department for Health Activities and Epidemiological Observatory of the Sicilian Region, 90145 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Gaia Scavia
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.S.); (G.S.)
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14
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Bigoraj E, Paszkiewicz W, Rzeżutka A. Porcine Blood and Liver as Sporadic Sources of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in the Production Chain of Offal-Derived Foodstuffs in Poland. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:347-356. [PMID: 33891305 PMCID: PMC8379118 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Pig's blood and liver are valuable edible slaughter by-products which are also the major ingredients of offal-derived foodstuffs. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the occurrence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and porcine adenovirus (pAdV) as an index virus of faecal contamination in pig's blood and liver for human consumption. In total, 246 samples of retail liver (n = 100) and pooled pig's blood (n = 146) were analysed for the presence of HEV and pAdV. Blood samples were individually collected from 1432 pigs at slaughter age. Viral genomic material, including RNA of a sample process control virus was isolated from food samples using a QIAamp® Viral RNA Mini Kit. Virus-specific IAC-controlled real-time PCR methods were used for detection of target viruses. HEV RNA was found in 6 (2.4%; 95% CI: 0.9-5.2) out of 246 samples of tested foodstuffs. The virus was detected in pig's blood (3.4%; 95% CI: 1.1-7.8) and liver (1.0%; 95% CI: 0.0-5.0) with no significant differences observed in the frequency of its occurrence between the two by-products (t = 1.33; p = 0.182 > 0.05); however PAdV was detected more frequently in pig's blood than in liver (t = 4.65; p = 0.000 < 0.05). The HEV strains belonged to the 3f and 3e subtype groups and the pAdV strains were assigned to serotype 5. PAdV was detected in pigs regardless of the farm size from which they originated. The number of animals raised on the farm (the farm size) had no influence on the occurrence of HEV or pAdV infections in pigs (F = 0.81, p = 0.447 > 0.05 for HEV; F = 0.42, p = 0.655 > 0.05 for pAdV). Although HEV was detected in pig's offal only sporadically, consumers cannot treat its occurrence with disregard as it demonstrates that HEV-contaminated pig tissues can enter the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bigoraj
- Department of Food and Environmental Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - W Paszkiewicz
- Department of Food Hygiene of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, ul. Akademicka 12, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - A Rzeżutka
- Department of Food and Environmental Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
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15
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Hriskova K, Marosevic D, Belting A, Wenzel JJ, Carl A, Katz K. Epidemiology of Hepatitis E in 2017 in Bavaria, Germany. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:337-346. [PMID: 33900549 PMCID: PMC8379136 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, the number of reported hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in Germany, including Bavaria, has continued to rise. In order to identify risk factors associated with HEV infection, we investigated notified hepatitis E cases from Bavaria during 2017. The project "Intensified Hepatitis E Surveillance in Bavaria" included interviews with questionnaires, collection and genotyping of stool, serum and food samples. In addition, certain risk factors were examined in a sample comparison with healthy population using univariable analysis and logistic regression. In total, 135 hepatitis E cases from Bavaria were included in the analysis. Mean age for women was 46 (range 20-74) years and 47.5 (range 20-85) for men. 56 of the cases (41.5%) were asymptomatic. Among the symptomatic cases, both men and women were equally affected with symptoms like fever (16.3%), jaundice (18.8%) and upper abdominal pain (28.2%). 145 human samples (serum, stool) and 6 food samples were collected. 15.9% of the human samples (n = 23) were positive for HEV RNA by reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Identified risk factors significantly associated with hepatitis E were sausage consumption with odds ratio 9.6 (CI 1.3-70.1), fish with OR 2.2 (CI 1.1-4.4) and cat ownership with OR 1.9 (CI 1.3-3.0) in multivariable analyses. Further investigation is needed to confirm the role of fish in HEV transmission. Autochthonous HEV genotype 3 is prevalent in Bavaria and there could be more transmission routes contributing to the spread of HEV than previously known. Undercooked meat, offal, sausages, fish, shellfish and contact with animals and pets are possible sources for infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Hriskova
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology - IBE, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany.
| | - D Marosevic
- Bavarian Public Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - A Belting
- Bavarian Public Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - J J Wenzel
- National Consultant Laboratory for HAV and HEV, Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - A Carl
- Bavarian Public Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - K Katz
- Bavarian Public Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
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16
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Pavia G, Gioffrè A, Pirolo M, Visaggio D, Clausi MT, Gherardi M, Samele P, Ciambrone L, Di Natale R, Spatari G, Visca P, Casalinuovo F. Seroprevalence and phylogenetic characterization of hepatitis E virus in pig farms in Southern Italy. Prev Vet Med 2021; 194:105448. [PMID: 34333413 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging public health problem in industrialized countries. The infection is associated with waterborne epidemics and transmitted via faecal-oral route. Zoonotic cases of HEV in humans have increased in Europe, and HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) is the most frequent among humans and animals. Nevertheless, HEV surveillance in the Italian pig farming industry is patchy. Here, HEV prevalence in pig farms located in the Calabria region in Southern Italy was investigated. A total of 692 serum samples were collected from 26 farms and tested for anti-HEV IgG antibody detection. The percentage of HEV-seropositive pigs was 56.8 %. Small farm size, farrow-to-finishing production, and infrequent cleaning procedures were associated with higher HEV seroprevalence. In 12 of the HEV-seropositive farms, 67 faecal samples were collected and 10 of these (10.6 %) tested positive for HEV RNA. Seven of 10 viral RNA sequences were genotyped for phylogenetic analysis, five of which belonged to subtype HEV-3f and two to subtype HEV-3e. The high HEV seroprevalence and the circulation of HEV-3 strains among domestic pigs in the Calabria region pose a risk for the zoonotic transmission of HEV from pigs to occupational exposed workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Pavia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Angela Gioffrè
- Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Workplace and Environmental Hygiene, Lamezia Terme Research Centre, INAIL - National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Mattia Pirolo
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Visaggio
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Monica Gherardi
- Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Workplace and Environmental Hygiene, Monte Porzio Catone Research Centre, INAIL - National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Samele
- Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Workplace and Environmental Hygiene, Lamezia Terme Research Centre, INAIL - National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Lucia Ciambrone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Natale
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dental, Morphological and Functional Investigations, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanna Spatari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dental, Morphological and Functional Investigations, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
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Yeboah R, Sylverken AA, Owusu M, El-Duah P, Burimuah V, Frimpong Y, Lamptey J, Eckerle I, Meyer B, Antwi C, Agbenyaga O, Folitse R, Emikpe B, Oppong SK, Adu-Sarkodie Y, Drosten C. Sero-molecular epidemiology of hepatitis E virus in pigs and human contacts in Ghana. ONE HEALTH OUTLOOK 2021; 3:13. [PMID: 34154674 PMCID: PMC8218416 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-021-00043-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is among the leading causes of viral hepatitis in most developing countries. Zoonotic acquisition of HEV genotype 3 from swine has come into focus more recently. Available studies on HEV in Ghana and other countries in the region do not provide enough information towards understanding the epidemiology of HEV in human and animal populations. Towards this end, we conducted a comparative cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HEV exposure, both in swine and humans working on pig farms in typical local settings. The presence of viral RNA in human and swine samples was also evaluated, along with classification of viral sequences from HEV-positive samples. METHODS Structured questionnaires soliciting information on pigs reared, as well as socio-demographic information including age, sex and educational background of humans was collected. A total of 10 ml and 5 ml of whole blood was collected from pigs and human participants respectively. ELISA and real-time RT-PCR were performed on the sera for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus and viral RNA, respectively. RESULTS Five hundred and forty-four (544) human participants including 264 swine contacts and 280 swine non-contacts were enrolled in the study. Although the proportion of HEV IgG antibodies was higher in contact groups (114; 54.3%) than non-contact groups (96; 45.7%), a multivariate analysis did not show any significant difference. No HEV RNA was detected in human samples. Similarly, 720 pigs were sampled from 18 farms located in five regions in Ghana. Twenty-three (23) of the pigs (3.2, 95%CI = 2.0-4.8) were positive for HEV RNA by real-time RT-PCR testing. Sequences obtained from HEV-positive samples were found to share high sequence identities with each other and clustered with other genotype 3 viruses indicating the existence of circulating zoonotic genotype 3 viruses on farms. Although we did not find evidence of pig to human transmission of HEV genotype 3, the presence of this genotype in pigs shows the potential for possible zoonotic transmission in African farm settings and buttresses the importance of active surveillance for the infection among at risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustina Angelina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vitus Burimuah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Frimpong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jones Lamptey
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Benjamin Meyer
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christopher Antwi
- Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Olivia Agbenyaga
- Department of Agroforestry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Raphael Folitse
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Benjamin Emikpe
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Samuel Kingsley Oppong
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Adu-Sarkodie
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Arnaboldi S, Righi F, Carta V, Bonardi S, Pavoni E, Bianchi A, Losio MN, Filipello V. Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Spread and Genetic Diversity in Game Animals in Northern Italy. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:146-153. [PMID: 33630244 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09467-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E, an emerging public health infection which has an increasing incidence across Europe. Because of the apparent lack of species barriers, HEV was characterized as a zoonotic agent. Swine are recognized as the main reservoir, but HEV is also found in wild animals such as ungulates, lagomorphs, and bats. Our work aimed at detecting the HEV presence in wild fauna in two hunting areas of Northern Italy (Parma and Sondrio areas) with different environmental and anthropic characteristics to investigate its possible role as reservoir. Liver samples were collected from wild boars, red deer, roe deer and chamois, and viral identification was carried out by One-Step RT Real-time PCR. Positive samples were genotyped, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. The virus was found only in the wild boar population, with different prevalence and subtypes in the two areas (14% HEV3a and 1.2% close to HEV3f in Parma and Sondrio, respectively). Wild ruminants seem otherwise to pose a marginal risk. Given the high pig farm density in the Parma area, and expansion of the wild boar population, continuous monitoring of the strains circulating in wildlife is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Arnaboldi
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), via A. Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Righi
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), via A. Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Carta
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), via A. Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonardi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43100, Parma, Italy
| | - Enrico Pavoni
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), via A. Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bianchi
- Lombardy Territorial Area Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 23100, Sondrio, Italy
| | - Marina Nadia Losio
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), via A. Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), via A. Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy.
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), 20133, Milan, Italy.
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19
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Treagus S, Wright C, Baker-Austin C, Longdon B, Lowther J. The Foodborne Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus to Humans. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:127-145. [PMID: 33738770 PMCID: PMC8116281 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09461-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Globally, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes over 20 million cases worldwide. HEV is an emerging and endemic pathogen within economically developed countries, chiefly resulting from infections with genotype 3 (G3) HEV. G3 HEV is known to be a zoonotic pathogen, with a broad host range. The primary source of HEV within more economically developed countries is considered to be pigs, and consumption of pork products is a significant risk factor and known transmission route for the virus to humans. However, other foods have also been implicated in the transmission of HEV to humans. This review consolidates the information available regarding transmission of HEV and looks to identify gaps where further research is required to better understand how HEV is transmitted to humans through food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Treagus
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK.
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK.
| | | | - Craig Baker-Austin
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Ben Longdon
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - James Lowther
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK
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20
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Corredor-Figueroa AP, Olaya-Galán NN, Velandia-Álvarez S, Muñoz M, Salas-Cárdenas SP, Ibáñez-Pinilla M, Patarroyo MA, Gutiérrez MF. Co-Circulation of Bovine Leukemia Virus Haplotypes among Humans, Animals, and Food Products: New Insights of Its Zoonotic Potential. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094883. [PMID: 34064361 PMCID: PMC8124648 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the causative agent of leukemia/lymphoma in cattle. It has been found in humans and cattle-derived food products. In humans, it is described as a potential risk factor for breast cancer development. However, the transmission path remains unclear. Here, a molecular epidemiology analysis was performed to identify signatures of genetic flux of BLV among humans, animals, and food products. Sequences obtained from these sources in Colombia were used (n = 183) and compared with reference sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic reconstruction was performed in IQ-TREE software with the maximum likelihood algorithm. Haplotype (hap) distribution among the population was carried out with a median-joining model in Network5.0. Recombination events were inferred using SplitsTree4 software. In the phylogenetic analysis, no specific branches were identified for the Colombian sequences or for the different sources. A total of 31 haps were found, with Hap 1, 4, 5 and 7 being shared among the three sources of the study. Reticulation events among the different sources were also detected during the recombination analysis. These results show new insights about the zoonotic potential of BLV, showing evidence of genetic flux between cattle and humans. Prevention and control strategies should be considered to avoid viral dissemination as part of the One Health program policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana P. Corredor-Figueroa
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorio de Virología, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota 110231, Colombia; (A.P.C.-F.); (S.V.-Á.); (S.P.S.-C.); (M.F.G.)
- Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad ECCI, Bogota 111311, Colombia
| | - Nury N. Olaya-Galán
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorio de Virología, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota 110231, Colombia; (A.P.C.-F.); (S.V.-Á.); (S.P.S.-C.); (M.F.G.)
- PhD Program in Biomedical and Biological Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +57-3002081160
| | - Sebastian Velandia-Álvarez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorio de Virología, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota 110231, Colombia; (A.P.C.-F.); (S.V.-Á.); (S.P.S.-C.); (M.F.G.)
| | - Marina Muñoz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota 111221, Colombia;
| | - Sandra P. Salas-Cárdenas
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorio de Virología, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota 110231, Colombia; (A.P.C.-F.); (S.V.-Á.); (S.P.S.-C.); (M.F.G.)
| | - Milcíades Ibáñez-Pinilla
- Research Department, Hospital Universitario Mayor Méderi—Universidad del Rosario, Bogota 111411, Colombia;
| | - Manuel A. Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Bogota 111321, Colombia;
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota 111321, Colombia
- Health Sciences Division, Main Campus, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bogota 110231, Colombia
| | - Maria F. Gutiérrez
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorio de Virología, Departamento de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota 110231, Colombia; (A.P.C.-F.); (S.V.-Á.); (S.P.S.-C.); (M.F.G.)
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21
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Zhang W, He H, Zhu L, Liu G, Wu L. Food Safety in Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Countermeasures. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:71. [PMID: 33806704 PMCID: PMC8000942 DOI: 10.3390/bios11030071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding food safety hazard risks is essential to avoid potential negative heath impacts in the food supply chain in a post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Development of strategies for virus direction in foods plays an important role in food safety and verification. Early warning, tracing, and detection should be implemented as an integrated system in order to mitigate thecoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, in which the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical as it not only concerns screening of populations but also monitoring of possible contaminated sources such as the food supply chain. In this review, we point out the consequences in different aspects of our daily life in the post-COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of the food supply chain and the food industry. We summarize the possible transmission routes of COVID-19 in the food supply chain before exploring the development of corresponding detection tools of SARS-CoV-2. Accordingly, we compare different detection methods for the virus in foods, including different pretreatments of food matrices in the virus detection. Finally, the future perspectives are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Functional Food of Hainan Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China;
| | - Huiyu He
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (H.H.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lin Zhu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (H.H.); (L.Z.)
| | - Guozhen Liu
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China;
| | - Long Wu
- Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Functional Food of Hainan Province, College of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China;
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, College of Bioengineering and Food, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
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Zhao MY, Li D. Optimization and Implementation of the Virus Extraction Method for Hepatitis E Virus Detection from Raw Pork Liver. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:74-83. [PMID: 33449335 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-020-09452-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been frequently detected from pork liver and liver products, which can usually cause self-limiting diseases in healthy adults, yet may result in fatality in immunosuppressed groups. Nevertheless, there is so far no standardized method for HEV detection available from pork liver and/or liver products. The present study aimed to optimize the virus extraction method of HEV from raw pork liver, which is often consumed in Asia undercooked to avoid a grainy texture. By comparing different sample preparation protocols and by applying the selected protocol to 60 samples collected from Singapore retail markets, we demonstrated that homogenization of 0.25 g raw pork liver with FastPrep™ Lysing Matrix Y containing yttria-stabilized zircondium oxide beads in 2 ml tubes and with harsh mechanical force at 6 ms-1, 40 s/cycle, for 5 cycles with 300 s pause time after each cycle is promising in both releasing the potentially intracellular viruses and resulting in satisfactory virus recovery rates (> 1%). A high prevalence (52%) of HEV genome was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from the 60 samples collected from Singapore retail markets imported from Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia. However, RNase treatment decreased the HEV prevalence to 33.3%, and all of the 20 positive samples were with high RT-qPCR Ct values above 35, suggesting that the positive RT-qPCR signals maybe largely due to the inactive viruses and/or exposed HEV RNA traces in raw pork liver products. Therefore, conscious care should be taken when interpreting molecular detection results of viruses from food samples to be correlated with public health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchie Y Zhao
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Di Cola G, Fantilli AC, Pisano MB, Ré VE. Foodborne transmission of hepatitis A and hepatitis E viruses: A literature review. Int J Food Microbiol 2021; 338:108986. [PMID: 33257099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.108986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Foodborne viruses have been recognized as a growing concern to the food industry and a serious public health problem. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is responsible for the majority of viral outbreaks of food origin worldwide, while hepatitis E virus (HEV) has also been gaining prominence as a foodborne viral agent in the last years, due to its zoonotic transmission through the consumption of uncooked or undercooked infected meat or derivatives. However, there is a lack of scientific reports that gather all the updated information about HAV and HEV as foodborne viruses. A search of all scientific articles about HAV and HEV in food until March 2020 was carried out, using the keywords "HAV", "HEV", "foodborne", "outbreak" and "detection in food". Foodborne outbreaks due to HAV have been reported since 1956, mainly in the USA, and in Europe in recent years, where the number of outbreaks has been increasing throughout time, and nowadays it has become the continent with the highest foodborne HAV outbreak report. Investigation and detection of HAV in food is more recent, and the first detections were performed in the 1990s decade, most of them carried out on seafood, first, and frozen food, later. On the other hand, HEV has been mainly looked for and detected in food derived from reservoir animals, such as meat, sausages and pate of pigs and wild boars. For this virus, only isolated cases and small outbreaks of foodborne transmission have been recorded, most of them in industrialized countries, due to HEV genotype 3 or 4. Virus detection in food matrices requires special processing of the food matrix, followed by RNA detection by molecular techniques. For HAV, a real-time PCR has been agreed as the standard method for virus detection in food; in the case of HEV, a consensus assay for its detection in food has not been reached yet. Our investigation shows that there is still little data about HAV and HEV prevalence and frequency of contamination in food, prevalent viral strains, and sources of contamination, mainly in developing countries, where there is no research and legislation in this regard. Studies on these issues are needed to get a better understanding of foodborne viruses, their maintenance and their potential to cause diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Di Cola
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez s/n, CP: 5016 Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
| | - Anabella C Fantilli
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez s/n, CP: 5016 Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - María Belén Pisano
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez s/n, CP: 5016 Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Viviana E Ré
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez s/n, CP: 5016 Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
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Lakshmi BA, Kim S. Recent trends in the utilization of LAMP for the diagnosis of viruses, bacteria, and allergens in food. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2021. [PMCID: PMC7564122 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-821406-0.00027-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Foodborne diseases are becoming major scientific struggles for both developing and developed countries. Most foodborne infections are caused by microbial pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and other food allergens. Hence early and accurate diagnosis of these foodborne pathogens is always preferable. To satisfy these concerns, plenty of isothermal amplification methodologies such as rolling circle amplification (RCA), helicase-dependent amplification (HDA), and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) have been developed. Among these, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a widely usable, potential, and recognizable amplification technique achieved at a constant temperature around 60°C within 30–60 min by using only one kind of enzyme. As a robust gene amplification technique, it can be employed for the detection of bacteria, viruses, and other related food allergens. This technique has its own merits such as cost-effectiveness, facile manufacturing procedure, and consistency. In this chapter, we emphasize recent trends in designing the techniques, challenges, and the future prospects of LAMP in the detection of foodborne pathogens. These effective pathogen detection methods may offer potential benefits compared with existing conventional methods.
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Presence of hepatitis E virus in commercially available pork products. Int J Food Microbiol 2020; 339:109033. [PMID: 33401188 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.109033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in industrialized countries have been foodborne and linked to the consumption of undercooked pork products. To date, data on the prevalence of HEV in pork products sold in the United States is limited and no standard processing method exists for the detection of HEV in foods. In order to develop a processing method for the detection of HEV in pork products, ground pork and pork liver were selected for method development. Murine norovirus (MNV) was used as a process control. A filtration step prior to RNA detection was shown to reduce the level of PCR inhibitors in ground pork and an additional ultracentrifugation process was successful in removing PCR inhibitors in pork liver. MNV RNA was detected in ground pork and liver samples inoculated with 4.7 log10 PFU/g and 3.0 log10 PFU/g, respectively. Using the developed method for viral RNA detection in ground pork and pork liver, 20 packages of ground pork (six 1 g sub-samples per package) and 14 pork livers (four 1 g sub-samples per liver) were screened for the presence of HEV RNA. Fifteen out of 119 (12.6%) ground pork samples tested positive for HEV RNA and 13 out of 20 packages (65%) contained at least one positive sample. Twenty-five of 56 (45%) of pork liver samples were positive for HEV RNA and 6 of 14 livers (43%) had all sub-samples test positive for HEV RNA. Overall, the results indicate ground pork and pig liver as a potential source of HEV.
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26
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Pexara A, Govaris A. Foodborne Viruses and Innovative Non-Thermal Food-Processing Technologies. Foods 2020; 9:E1520. [PMID: 33113926 PMCID: PMC7690672 DOI: 10.3390/foods9111520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, several foodborne viruses' outbreaks have been recorded worldwide. Μost of the foodborne viruses have a low infection dose, are stable and can persist and survive in foods for a long time without loss of infectivity. The most important foodborne viruses are: human norovirus (HuNoV), human rotavirus (HRV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), human astrovirus (HAstV), Aichi virus (AiV), sapovirus (SaV), human adenovirus (HAdV) and enterovirus (EV). In recent years, innovative non-thermal food-processing technologies including high-pressure processing (HPP), cold plasma (CP), ultraviolet light (UV), irradiation and pulsed electric field (PEF) for improving the quality and safety of foods, including foods of animal origin, have been under research. This review presents the recent data on foodborne viruses and reviews the innovative non-thermal technologies for the control of the foodborne viruses in foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreana Pexara
- Laboratory of Hygiene of Foods of Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Thessaly, 224 Trikalon Street, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
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Pierini I, Di Bartolo I, Manuali E, Pirani S, Bazzucchi M, Moscati L, De Mia GM, Giammarioli M. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 diversity: Identification of a novel HEV subtype in wild boar in Central Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2121-2129. [PMID: 33006818 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade in Europe, the number of autochthonous cases of hepatitis E has significantly increased. Most of the cases arise from foodborne infections caused by the zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes HEV-3 and HEV-4. Several human cases have been linked to consumption of raw or undercooked animal products of both pork (liver sausages) and wild boar meat. In this study, the occurrence of HEV infection was investigated in 611 livers and 88 paired lungs from wild boars collected during the hunting seasons of 2016-2020 in the Umbria-Marche Apennines (Central Italy). Using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, 15 liver samples (2.45%) and one lung sample were found to be positive for HEV RNA. The phylogenetic tree built on the partial ORF2 gene revealed that the detected HEV strains belonged to HEV-3f (n = 5), HEV-3e (n = 1) and HEV-3c (n = 1) subtypes. Interestingly, 8 strains were genetically placed in a different cluster, further away from all other subtypes. To corroborate this finding, four complete genomes were obtained by next generation sequencing. The full genome of the HEV strains clustered together with another wild boar strain previously detected in Southern Italy in 2015 but the strains were divergent from all the HEV-3 strains classified in any subtype defined so far. Thus, these strains represent a novel subtype that might have originated in Italy, which we have tentatively named HEV-3n.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Pierini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Manuali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Pirani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Moira Bazzucchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Livia Moscati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Gian Mario De Mia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Monica Giammarioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
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Wang J, Li N, Zhang H, Li F, Fanning S, Jiang T. Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in the Pig Livers and Retail Pork Samples Collected in Selected Cities in China. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2020; 18:97-103. [PMID: 32985895 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2020.2837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a biological hazard that must be controlled and is a recognized etiological agent in viral hepatitis. This is a zoonotic virus and can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route. The pig is an important reservoir host of HEV, and is a source of contamination for the consumer after the consumption of raw or undercooked pork products. When detected, the most prevalent genotype of HEV in China is genotype 4 (denoted as HEV-4). To ensure the safety of this food of animal origin, we undertook a survey of HEV contamination in pig livers and pork samples available for sale, in retail outlets in selected cities in China. Viral RNA was purified from samples collected by lysing in Trizol followed by purification using trichloromethane and virus RNA extract kit. An additional step was applied to improve the recovery rate by adding RNase OUT when extracting virus RNA from pig livers, and the RNA productions were washed in 75% (v/v) ethanol to remove inhibitors. In total, 158 pig livers and 80 pork samples were procured and analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). After purification of total RNA from all samples taken and analyzed by RT-qPCR, a single pig liver was positive by this method for HEV. The positive rate was calculated as 0.63%. In this study, a single positive sample was detected. Considering the dietary habits of Chinese people, pork is a popular food that on occasion may be contaminated with HEV, thereby posing a threat to consumer health. Ongoing surveillance is required to assess the risk to human health arising from HEV-contaminated pork being offered for sale, at retail outlets, especially in the areas of China where pig production is practiced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengqin Li
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Séamus Fanning
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, People's Republic of China.,UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), Beijing, People's Republic of China
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29
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Takova K, Koynarski T, Minkov I, Ivanova Z, Toneva V, Zahmanova G. Increasing Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boar in Bulgaria. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091521. [PMID: 32872096 PMCID: PMC7552291 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a lesser-known hepatitis virus, but its worldwide spread is undisputed and has increased in recent years. The zoonotic spread of HEV, mainly due to genotype (gt) 3, emerged in developed countries in the past decade. In addition, transmission via contaminated meat from pigs and boars was also established. Detailed analysis of viral dynamics and distribution is needed in order to identify associated risk factors. The aim of the current study is to present new and additional data on the HEV distribution among pigs, and for the first-time, also among the wild boar population in Bulgaria. Abstract (1) Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of acute viral hepatitis, predominantly transmitted by the fecal–oral route. In developed countries, HEV is considered to be an emerging pathogen since the number of autochthonous cases is rising. Hepatitis E is a viral disease with a proven zoonotic potential for some of its genotypes. The main viral reservoirs are domestic pigs and wild boar. Consumption of undercooked meat, as well as occupational exposure, are key factors for the spread of HEV. In order to evaluate the risks of future viral evolution, a detailed examination of the ecology and distribution of the virus is needed. The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG Ab in domestic pigs and wild boar in Bulgaria; (2) Methods: In this study, during the period of three years between 2017 and 2019, 433 serum samples from 19 different pig farms and 1 slaughterhouse were collected and analyzed. In addition, 32 samples from wild boar were also collected and analyzed during the 2018–2019 hunting season. All samples were analyzed by commercial indirect ELISA; (3) Results: Overall, HEV seroprevalence was 60% (95% CI 42.7–77.1) in domestic pigs and 12.5% (4/32) in wild boar. The observed seroprevalence of the slaughter-aged pigs was 73.65% (95% Cl 58.7–87.3). Prevalence in domestic pigs was significantly higher in the samples collected during 2019 (98% (95% Cl 96.1–99.9)) compared to those collected during 2017 (45.33% (95% CI 2.7–87.3)) and 2018 (38.46% (95% CI 29.1–49.7.); (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that domesticated pigs and wild boar might be the reason for the increased HEV transmission across Bulgaria. The genotypic characterization of HEV found in pigs, wild boar and humans will give a more accurate view of the zoonotic transmission of this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Takova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (K.T.); (V.T.)
| | - Tsvetoslav Koynarski
- Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;
| | - Ivan Minkov
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (I.M.); (Z.I.)
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Zdravka Ivanova
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (I.M.); (Z.I.)
| | - Valentina Toneva
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (K.T.); (V.T.)
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (I.M.); (Z.I.)
| | - Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (K.T.); (V.T.)
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +359-32-261529
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Sooryanarain H, Meng XJ. Swine hepatitis E virus: Cross-species infection, pork safety and chronic infection. Virus Res 2020; 284:197985. [PMID: 32333941 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.197985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Swine hepatitis E virus (swine HEV) belongs to the species Orthohepevirus A within the genus Orthohepevirus in the family Hepeviridae. Four different genotypes of swine HEV within the species Orthohepevirus A have been identified so far from domesticated and wild swine population: genotypes 3 (HEV-3) and 4 (HEV-4) swine HEVs are zoonotic and infect humans, whereas HEV-5 and HEV-6 are only identified from swine. As a zoonotic agent, swine HEV is an emerging public health concern in many industrialized countries. Pigs are natural reservoir for HEV, consumption of raw or undercooked pork is an important route of foodborne HEV transmission. Occupational risks such as direct contact with infected pigs also increase the risk of HEV transmission in humans. Cross-species infection of HEV-3 and HEV-4 have been documented under experimental and natural conditions. Both swine HEV-3 and swine HEV-4 infect non-human primates, the surrogates of man. Swine HEV, predominantly HEV-3, can establish chronic infection in immunocompromised patients especially in solid organ transplant recipients. The zoonotic HEV-3, and to lesser extent HEV-4, have also been shown to cause neurological diseases and kidney injury. In this review, we focus on the epidemiology of swine HEV, host and viral determinants influencing cross-species HEV infection, zoonotic infection and its associated pork safety concern, as well as swine HEV-associated chronic infection and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harini Sooryanarain
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Xiang-Jin Meng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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Bonardi S, Filipello V, Pavoni E, Carta V, Bolzoni L, Corradi M, Gilioli S, Losio MN. Geographical restriction of Hepatitis E virus circulation in wild boars ( Sus scrofa) in Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy. Ital J Food Saf 2020; 9:8463. [PMID: 32300568 PMCID: PMC7154598 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2020.8463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a singlestrand RNA virus that causes an acute viral hepatitis in humans. Among its eight recognized genotypes, HEV-3 and HEV-4 are zoonotic, infecting humans, pigs and wild boars. Recently, HEV-3 has been also detected in red deer, which represents another reservoir of HEV. Consumption of raw pork products (mainly liver sausages), undercooked wild boar meat, raw wild boar liver and deer meat has been responsible for foodborne HEV human worldwide. From November 2018 to March 2019, liver samples collected from 97 wild boars hunted in Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) were tested for HEV RNA. The hunting area included two territories for an extension of 33 km2, named A (about 13 km2,natural park, deciduous wood) and B (about 20 km2, cultivated fields in proximity of a river) areas. Distance between the two areas ranged between 8 to 10 km. A total of 73 wild boars were hunted in area A, and 24 in area B. HEV RNA was detected by Real-time RT- PCR in 23/73 liver samples of wild boars living in area A only (31.5% - 95% CI: 22.0-42.8%). The HEV sequences (n=13) clustered within genotype 3. The majority of positives belonged to animals < 12 months (12/25; 48%), followed by subadults (13-24 months) (7/16; 43.8%) and adults (4/32; 12.5%). This difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0024). In absence of pig farms, the restriction of HEV-positive animals to a well-defined territory of 13 km2 (Boschi di Carrega Regional Park) could hypothetically be related to the presence of red deer (Cervus elaphus), which lived in area A at the beginning of the hunting season. Further studies are needed to confirm or deny our hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bonardi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Food Inspection, University of Parma
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Section of Brescia
| | - Enrico Pavoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Section of Brescia
| | - Valentina Carta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Section of Brescia
| | - Luca Bolzoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Risk Analysis and Genomic Epidemiology Unit, Parma
| | - Margherita Corradi
- Management Body for Parks and Biodiversity “Emilia Occidentale”, Sala Baganza, Italy
| | - Stefano Gilioli
- Management Body for Parks and Biodiversity “Emilia Occidentale”, Sala Baganza, Italy
| | - Marina Nadia Losio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER), Section of Brescia
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Iaconelli M, Bonanno Ferraro G, Mancini P, Suffredini E, Veneri C, Ciccaglione AR, Bruni R, Della Libera S, Bignami F, Brambilla M, De Medici D, Brandtner D, Schembri P, D’Amato S, La Rosa G. Nine-Year Nationwide Environmental Surveillance of Hepatitis E Virus in Urban Wastewaters in Italy (2011-2019). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E2059. [PMID: 32244915 PMCID: PMC7143501 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17062059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging causative agent of acute hepatitis worldwide. To provide insights into the epidemiology of HEV in Italy, a large-scale investigation was conducted into urban sewage over nine years (2011-2019), collecting 1374 sewage samples from 48 wastewater treatment plants located in all the 20 regions of Italy. Broadly reactive primers targeting the ORF1 and ORF2 regions were used for the detection and typing of HEV, followed by Sanger and next generation sequencing (NGS). Real-time RT-qPCR was also used to attempt quantification of positive samples. HEV RNA detection occurred in 74 urban sewage samples (5.4%), with a statistically significant higher frequency (7.1%) in central Italy. Fifty-six samples were characterized as G3 strains and 18 as G1. While the detection of G3 strains occurred in all the surveillance period, G1 strains were mainly detected in 2011-2012, and never in 2017-2019. Typing was achieved in 2 samples (3f subtype). Viral concentrations in quantifiable samples ranged from 1.2 × 103 g.c./L to 2.8 × 104 g.c./L. Our results suggest the considerable circulation of the virus in the Italian population, despite a relatively small number of notified cases, a higher occurrence in central Italy, and a noteworthy predominance of G3 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Iaconelli
- Department of Environment and Health - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.I.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.); (S.D.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Giusy Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.I.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.); (S.D.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Pamela Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.I.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.); (S.D.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.S.); (D.D.M.)
| | - Carolina Veneri
- Department of Environment and Health - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.I.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.); (S.D.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Anna Rita Ciccaglione
- Department Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Roberto Bruni
- Department Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Simonetta Della Libera
- Department of Environment and Health - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.I.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.); (S.D.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesco Bignami
- Department of Environment and Health - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.I.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.); (S.D.L.); (F.B.)
| | - Massimo Brambilla
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria (CREA), Research Centre for Engineering and Agri Food Processing, 24047 Treviglio, BG, Italy;
| | - Dario De Medici
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.S.); (D.D.M.)
| | | | - Pietro Schembri
- Regional Department for Health Activities and Epidemiological Observatory of the Sicilian Region, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Stefania D’Amato
- Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for Prevention, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.I.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.); (S.D.L.); (F.B.)
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De Sabato L, Di Bartolo I, Lapa D, Capobianchi MR, Garbuglia AR. Molecular Characterization of HEV Genotype 3 in Italy at Human/Animal Interface. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:137. [PMID: 32117156 PMCID: PMC7014918 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging public health issue in industrialized countries. In the last decade the number of autochthonous human infections has increased in Europe. Genotype 3 (HEV-3) is typically zoonotic, being foodborne the main route of transmission to humans, and is the most frequently detected in Europe in both humans and animals (mainly pigs and wild boars). In Italy, the first autochthonous human case was reported in 1999; since then, HEV-3 has been widely detected in both humans and animals. Despite the zoonotic characteristic of HEV-3 is well established, the correlation between animal and human strains has been poorly investigated in Italy. In the present study, we compared the subtype distribution of HEV-3 in humans and animals (swine and wild boar) in the period 2000-2018 from Italy. The dataset for this analysis included a total of 96 Italian ORF2 sequences (300 nt long), including both NCBI database-derived (n = 64) and recent sequences (2016-2018, n = 32) obtained in this study. The results show that subtype 3f is the most frequent in humans and pigs, followed by the HEV-3e, HEV-3c and other unassignable HEV-3 strains. Diversely, in wild boar a wider group of HEV-3 subtypes have been detected, including HEV-3a, which has also been detected for the first time in a human patient in Central Italy in 2017, and a wide group of unassignable HEV-3 strains. The phylogenetic analysis including, besides Italian strains, also sequences from other countries retrieved from the NCBI database, indicated that human Italian sequences, in particular those of HEV-3f and HEV-3e, form significant clusters mainly with sequences of animal origin from the same country. Nevertheless, for HEV-3c, rarely detected in Italian pigs, human sequences from Italy are more correlated to human sequences from other European countries. Furthermore, clusters of near-identical human strains identified in a short time interval in Lazio Region (Central Italy) can be recognized in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting that multiple infections originating from a common source have occurred, and confirming the importance of sequencing support to HEV surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca De Sabato
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Lapa
- Laboratory of Virology, “L. Spallanzani” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Capobianchi
- Laboratory of Virology, “L. Spallanzani” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Rosa Garbuglia
- Laboratory of Virology, “L. Spallanzani” National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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34
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Evaluation of methods for elution of HEV particles in naturally contaminated sausage, figatellu and pig liver. Food Microbiol 2019; 84:103235. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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35
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Milojević L, Velebit B, Teodorović V, Kirbiš A, Petrović T, Karabasil N, Dimitrijević M. Screening and Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus in Slaughter Pigs in Serbia. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2019; 11:410-419. [PMID: 31243738 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-019-09393-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic virus that can cause acute hepatitis in humans. Besides the fecal-oral route, transmission can occur by consumption of undercooked pig liver. Genotype 3 is the most frequent genotype found in Europe. Studies on HEV in slaughter-age pigs have not been conducted in Serbia so far. Pork meat production and consumption in Serbia is on average, higher than in the rest of Europe. With the aim to identify the circulating HEV genotypes, pig livers and swab samples from three pig slaughterhouses located in three different sub-regions of Serbia were collected. A nested RT-PCR was used to amplify the hypervariable HEV ORF-1 region (334 bp). The amplicons yielded in this study were sequenced, and a molecular phylogeny analysis based on the maximum likelihood method, including HEV sequences reported in several other countries, was performed. The average prevalence of HEV genotype 3 in 3-month-old pigs was 34%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the majority of HEV amplification fragments from Serbia were grouped in four clades within sub-genotype 3a and were also genetically related to German, Italian, Slovenian, and American HEV sequences. Sub-genotypes 3b and 3j were also found in a single pig each. This study provides the first analysis of the genetic diversity and circulation dynamics of HEV in pigs at slaughterhouses in Serbia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazar Milojević
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, Belgrade, 11040, Serbia
| | - Branko Velebit
- Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, Belgrade, 11040, Serbia.
| | - Vlado Teodorović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Andrej Kirbiš
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tamaš Petrović
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Rumenački put 20, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
| | - Neđeljko Karabasil
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Mirjana Dimitrijević
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
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36
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Montone AMI, De Sabato L, Suffredini E, Alise M, Zaccherini A, Volzone P, Di Maro O, Neola B, Capuano F, Di Bartolo I. Occurrence of HEV-RNA in Italian Regional Pork and Wild Boar Food Products. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2019; 11:420-426. [PMID: 31512058 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-019-09403-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E is an emerging threat in industrialized countries. The foodborne transmission linked to consumption of pork and game meat is considered the main source of autochthonous infection. In Europe, small outbreaks have been reported linked to the consumption of pork liver sausages and wild boar meat. Based on previous findings and on increasing evidence of pork and game meat as a vehicle for HEV infections, the present study investigated the occurrence of HEV in 99 pork and 63 wild boar sausages and salami sold in Southern Italy. The HEV genome was detected in four wild boar sausages. Sequencing from 2 wild boar sausages confirmed that the HEV strains detected belonged to HEV-3 genotype, not assigned to any defined subtype. Data obtained confirmed the possible occurrence of HEV in pork products and in game. Although the detection rate is low, these products are frequently consumed raw after curing, whose effect on virus viability is still unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca De Sabato
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mosè Alise
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Alessandra Zaccherini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Palmiero Volzone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Orlandina Di Maro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Benedetto Neola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Federico Capuano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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37
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Shirazi R, Pozzi P, Wax M, Bar-Or I, Asulin E, Lustig Y, Mendelson E, Ben-Ari Z, Schwartz E, Mor O. Hepatitis E in pigs in Israel: seroprevalence, molecular characterisation and potential impact on humans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23. [PMID: 30621824 PMCID: PMC6290533 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.49.1800067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
IntroductionThe zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 (HEV-G3) has become a common cause of acute and chronic hepatitis among humans worldwide. In Israel, while HEV-3 sequences have previously been detected in sewage, only the non-zoonotic HEV-G1 genotype has been found in samples from human patients.AimIn this pilot study, we aimed to assess the status of HEV in a sample of the swine population and among swine farm workers in Israel.MethodsPig blood (n = 141) and faecal samples (n = 39), pig farm sewage samples (n = 8) and blood from farm workers (n = 24) were collected between February 2016 and October 2017. Anti-HEV IgG was detected using the Wantai assay. HEV RNA was analysed with the RealStar HEV kit. HEV open reading frame 1 fragments amplified from representative HEV RNA-positive samples were used for phylogenetic analysis.ResultsOverall prevalence of HEV antibodies in pigs was 75.9% (107/141). HEV RNA was detected in plasma (2.1%, 3/141), faecal (22.8%, 18/79) and pig sewage (4/8) samples. Pig and sewage-derived viral sequences clustered with previously identified human sewage HEV-G3 sequences. Most pig farms workers (23 of 24) were HEV-seropositive; none was viraemic or reported previous clinical signs.ConclusionsThis study showed that domestic pigs in Israel are infected with HEV-G3. The high HEV seropositivity of the farm workers together with the previous identification of this virus in human sewage suggests circulation to humans. The clinical impact of these findings on public health should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Shirazi
- These authors contributed equally to this article.,Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Paolo Pozzi
- Israel Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Plant Protection and Inspection Services, Veterinary Services Beit Dagan, Beit Dagan, Israel.,These authors contributed equally to this article
| | - Marina Wax
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Itay Bar-Or
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Efrat Asulin
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Yaniv Lustig
- Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Ella Mendelson
- School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Ziv Ben-Ari
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Liver Diseases Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Orna Mor
- School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Central Virology Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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38
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Geng Y, Zhao C, Guo T, Xu Y, Wang X, Huang W, Liu H, Wang Y. Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Raw Pork and Pig Viscera As Food in Hebei Province of China. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2019; 16:325-330. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2018.2572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yansheng Geng
- Health Science Center, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Chenyan Zhao
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Tingyu Guo
- Health Science Center, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Health Science Center, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Xuanpu Wang
- Health Science Center, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Weijin Huang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Youchun Wang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
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39
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Wang H, Castillo-Contreras R, Saguti F, López-Olvera JR, Karlsson M, Mentaberre G, Lindh M, Serra-Cobo J, Norder H. Genetically similar hepatitis E virus strains infect both humans and wild boars in the Barcelona area, Spain, and Sweden. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:978-985. [PMID: 30597741 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a hepatotropic virus, endemic in Europe where it infects humans and animals, with domestic pigs and wild boars as main reservoirs. The number of HEV-infected cases with unknown source of infection increases in Europe. There are human HEV strains genetically similar to viruses from domestic pigs, and zoonotic transmission via consumption of uncooked pork meat has been shown. Due to continuous growth of the wild boar populations in Europe, another route may be through direct or indirect contacts with wild boars. In the Collserola Natural Park near Barcelona, Spain, the wild boars have spread into Barcelona city. In Sweden, they are entering into farmlands and villages. To investigate the prevalence of HEV and the risk for zoonotic transmissions, the presence of antibodies against HEV and HEV RNA were analysed in serum and faecal samples from 398 wild boars, 264 from Spain and 134 from Sweden and in sera from 48 Swedish patients with HEV infection without known source of infection. Anti-HEV was more commonly found in Spanish wild boars (59% vs. 8%; p < 0.0001) while HEV RNA had similar prevalence (20% in Spanish vs. 15% in Swedish wild boars). Seven Swedish and three Spanish wild boars were infected with subtype 3f, and nine Spanish with subtype 3c/i. There were three clades in the phylogenetic tree formed by strains from wild boars and domestic pigs; another four clades were formed by strains from humans and wild boars. One strain from a Spanish wild boar was similar to strains from chronically infected humans. The high prevalence of HEV infections among wild boars and the similarity between wild boar HEV strains and those from humans and domestic pigs indicate that zoonotic transmission from wild boar may be more common than previously anticipated, which may develop into public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Raquel Castillo-Contreras
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group and Servei d' Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Department de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fredy Saguti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jorge R López-Olvera
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group and Servei d' Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Department de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marie Karlsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gregorio Mentaberre
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group and Servei d' Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Department de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Magnus Lindh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jordi Serra-Cobo
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Heléne Norder
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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40
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Dähnert L, Eiden M, Schlosser J, Fast C, Schröder C, Lange E, Gröner A, Schäfer W, Groschup MH. High sensitivity of domestic pigs to intravenous infection with HEV. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:381. [PMID: 30514313 PMCID: PMC6278151 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1713-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one major cause of acute clinical hepatitis among humans throughout the world. In industrialized countries an increasing number of autochthonous HEV infections have been identified over the last years triggered by food borne as well as – to a much lower degree – by human to human transmission via blood transfusion. Pigs have been recognised as main reservoir for HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3), and zoonotic transmission to humans through undercooked/raw meat is reported repeatedly. The minimal infectious dose of HEV-3 for pigs is so far unknown. Results The minimum infectious dose of HEV-3 in a pig infection model was determined by intravenous inoculation of pigs with a dilution series of a liver homogenate of a HEV infected wild boar. Seroconversion, virus replication and shedding were determined by analysis of blood and faeces samples, collected over a maximum period of 91 days. A dose dependent incubation period was observed in faecal shedding of viruses employing a specific and sensitive PCR method. Faecal viral shedding and seroconversion was detected in animals inoculated with dilutions of up to 10− 7. This correlates with an intravenously (i.v.) administered infectious dose of only 6.5 copies in 2 ml (corresponding to 24 IU HEV RNA/ml). Furthermore the first detectable shedding of HEV RNA in faeces is clearly dose dependent. Unexpectedly one group infected with a 10− 4 dilution exhibited prolonged virus shedding for more than 60 days suggesting a persistent infection. Conclusion The results indicate that pigs are highly susceptible to i.v. infection with HEV and that the swine model represents the most sensitive infectivity assay for HEV so far. Considering a minimum infectious dose of 24 IU RNA/ml our findings highlights the potential risk of HEV transmission via blood and blood products. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1713-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dähnert
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Josephine Schlosser
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Fast
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Charlotte Schröder
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elke Lange
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Albrecht Gröner
- PathoGuard Consult, Fasanenweg 6, 64342, Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany
| | - Wolfram Schäfer
- CSL Behring Biotherapies for Life™, P.O. Box 1230, 35002, Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
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41
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Survival of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in various traditional Italian dry-cured meat products. Prev Vet Med 2018; 162:126-130. [PMID: 30621891 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A number of animal diseases can be transmitted to pigs via pork meat and pork products imported from infected areas. Therefore, feeding of swill to pigs is regulated or prohibited in many swine-rearing countries. African swine fever is one of the major porcine diseases recognized as significant in this transmission pathway. Assessment of disease risks associated with pork products requires knowledge about the viral load in the original material and for how long infectious virus can be recovered from the resulting product. In this work, we present the effect of the dry curing process on the inactivation of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in three different Italian dry-cured meat products prepared from experimentally infected pigs slaughtered at the peak of viremia. The meat products were processed using commercial methods and industrial procedures currently being followed in Italy. Samples collected at predetermined intervals during processing were analyzed for virus survival by virus isolation and animal inoculation. ASFV was detected by in vivo experiments for up to 18, 60, and 83 days of curing in Italian salami, pork belly, and loin, respectively. These data provide valuable information for the pork processing industry when planning the export of these products.
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42
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De Sabato L, Ostanello F, De Grossi L, Marcario A, Franzetti B, Monini M, Di Bartolo I. Molecular survey of HEV infection in wild boar population in Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:1749-1756. [PMID: 30207081 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12948] [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: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an RNA virus causing an acute generally self-limited disease in humans. An increasing number of autochthonous cases linked to zoonotic transmission of HEV genotype 3 have been reported over the last 10 years in Europe. Pigs and wild boars are considered the main reservoirs. The principal route of transmission in Europe is food-borne, linked by direct or indirect evidence to the consumption of raw or undercooked pork products and wild boar meat. In this study, we sampled 92 wild boar (Sus scrofa) livers during active surveillance in five municipalities in Central Italy throughout the hunting season 2016-2017. HEV RNA was detected in 52.2% of liver sampled with prevalence ranging from 0.0% to 65.7%. HEV-positive wild boars were detected in all but one area of hunting. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strains clustered within the two subtypes HEV-3c and HEV-3f and displayed a wide range of phylogenetic diversity. Several strains were circulating in the areas investigated; animals possibly belonging to the same family group hunted by the same team were infected with a unique strain (100% nucleotide identity). As wild animals are a proven source of HEV transmission to humans and pigs, the high prevalence observed (mean 52.2%) poses a question on the risk of consuming raw or undercooked wild boar meat, and thus, this subject deserves further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca De Sabato
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Department of Sciences, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Ostanello
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Luigi De Grossi
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anita Marcario
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Viterbo, Italy
| | - Barbara Franzetti
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Marina Monini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Kantala T, Maunula L. Hepatitis E virus: zoonotic and foodborne transmission in developed countries. Future Virol 2018. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2018-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), together with hepatitis A virus, transmits via the fecal–oral route. The number of domestic hepatitis E cases among Europeans has grown alarmingly during the past 5 years. Surveillance studies suggest that the number of foodborne HEV infections is increasing most rapidly. Zoonotic HEV genotype HEV-3 is prevalent among pigs and wild boars in Europe and many developed countries, whereas zoonotic genotype HEV-4 is more common in pigs in some Asian countries. This review presents the most recent data about possible foodborne transmission of HEV via pigs and other production animals and about the presence of HEV in high-risk foods, such as ready-to-eat meat products. Possible solutions about how to tackle this problem are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuija Kantala
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Maunula
- Department of Food Hygiene & Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
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Randazzo W, Vasquez-García A, Aznar R, Sánchez G. Viability RT-qPCR to Distinguish Between HEV and HAV With Intact and Altered Capsids. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1973. [PMID: 30210465 PMCID: PMC6119771 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging pathogen showing a considerable increase in the number of reported cases in Europe mainly related to the ingestion of contaminated food. As with other relevant viral foodborne pathogens, real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard for HEV detection in clinical, food, and environmental samples, but these procedures cannot discriminate between inactivated and potentially infectious viruses. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a viability PCR method to discriminate between native, heat-, and high-pressure processing (HPP)-treated HEV using the hepatitis A virus (HAV) as a cultivable surrogate. To this end, different concentrations of viability markers (PMAxx and platinum chloride, PtCl4) were screened firstly on purified viral RNA using different RT-qPCR assays. Reductions of HEV RNA signals of >17.5, >15.0, and >15.5 quantification cycles (Cq) were reported for PtCl4 and 1.6, 2.9, and 8.4 Cq for PMAxx, clearly indicating a better performance of PtCl4 than PMAxx irrespective of the RT-qPCR assay used. The most efficient viability pretreatment (500 μM PtCl4 incubated at 5°C for 30 min) was then assessed on native, heat-, and HPP-treated HEV suspension. The optimized viability RT-qPCR discriminated successfully between native, heat-, and HPP-treated HEV, to different extents depending on the experimental conditions. In particular, approximately 2-log10 reduction was reported by PtCl4-RT-qPCR at both 72 and 95°C compared to the control. Additionally, both viability pretreatments were tested for HPP-treated HAV without success, while PtCl4-RT-qPCR completely eliminated (>5.6-log10 reduction) the RT-qPCR signals of HPP-treated HEV. Although this viability procedure may still overestimate infectivity, the PtCl4 pretreatment represents progress to better interpreting the quantification of intact HEV, and it could be included in molecular procedures used to quantify enteric viruses in food and environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Randazzo
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrea Vasquez-García
- Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa Aznar
- Department of Microbiology and Ecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gloria Sánchez
- Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valencia, Spain
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Detection of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in pigs from subsistence farms in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 58:11-16. [PMID: 30245045 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a zoonotic disease, recognized as an important global public health concern. In this study, molecular detection of the ORF1 and ORF2 genomic regions of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) was carried out in fecal and serum samples from pigs in subsistence farms of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Fragments of the ORF2 region were amplified in 8% (12/150) of fecal samples, with 53.3% (8/15) of farms having positive results. Of the 12 positive samples, fragments of the ORF1 region were amplified in 33.3% (4/12) of these. Molecular characterization confirmed the phylogenetic groupings as HEV subtypes 3d, 3 h, and 3i. The results revealed that meat from pigs that was originally meant for personal consumption is being traded in marketplaces in metropolitan Cuiabá, thereby creating a source of transmission to consumers in Mato Grosso. The environmental conditions must be taken into account when investigating the presence and transmission of HEV.
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Harrison L, DiCaprio E. Hepatitis E Virus: An Emerging Foodborne Pathogen. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2018.00014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Mooij SH, Hogema BM, Tulen AD, van Pelt W, Franz E, Zaaijer HL, Molier M, Hofhuis A. Risk factors for hepatitis E virus seropositivity in Dutch blood donors. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:173. [PMID: 29653521 PMCID: PMC5899381 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A marked increase of hepatitis E cases has recently been observed in the Netherlands. Causes of the (re-)emergence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and exact sources and routes of transmission of HEV infection are currently unknown. We aimed to identify risk factors for HEV seropositivity. Methods Using the Wantai EIA, 2100 plasma samples of blood donors from all over the Netherlands aged 18-70 years were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. A questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, health, and potential risk factors for HEV exposure was sent to these participants. Results The overall IgG-seroprevalence was 31% (648/2100) and increased with age. Several food products were independently associated with IgG-seropositivity in a multivariate analysis adjusting for age and gender among 1562 participants who completed the questionnaire: traditional Dutch dry raw sausages called “cervelaat”, “fijnkost”, “salami” and “salametti” which are generally made from raw pork and beef (aOR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2-1.9), frequent consumption of bovine steak (aOR 1.3; 95%CI 1.0-1.7), and frequent consumption of smoked beef (aOR 1.3 95%CI 1.0-1.7). Although not frequently reported, contact with contaminated water was also a risk factor for seropositivity (aOR 2.5; 95%CI 1.5-4.4). Lower seroprevalence was associated with eating raspberries, going out for dinner, and contact with wild animals and dogs. Conclusion Several pork food products, mainly dry raw sausages, and contact with contaminated water were associated with past HEV infection in the Netherlands. Further investigation is needed into the prevalence and infectivity of HEV in these risk factor food products, as well as investigation of the production methods and possible origin of HEV-contamination within these sausages, e.g. very small amounts of pork liver, pig-derived blood products as food additive, or the pork muscle tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie H Mooij
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Boris M Hogema
- Sanquin Research, Department of Blood-borne Infections, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna D Tulen
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
| | - Wilfrid van Pelt
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Eelco Franz
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hans L Zaaijer
- Sanquin Research, Department of Blood-borne Infections, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michel Molier
- Sanquin Research, Department of Blood-borne Infections, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Agnetha Hofhuis
- Epidemiology and surveillance unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Neethirajan S, Ragavan K, Weng X. Agro-defense: Biosensors for food from healthy crops and animals. Trends Food Sci Technol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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49
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O'Gorman J, Burke Á, O'Flaherty N. Hepatitis E virus - key points for the clinical haematologist. Br J Haematol 2018; 181:579-589. [PMID: 29468650 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.15133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In recent years there has been a paradigm shift in our understanding of the epidemiology and clinical features of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Once classically described as an acute hepatitis associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas of poor sanitation, HEV is now recognised to be endemic in Europe and is probably zoonotic in origin. Evidence for transfusion-transmitted HEV has prompted the introduction of blood donor screening in a number of countries, but the risk to the haematology patient from food sources remains. The aim of this review therefore, is to equip the clinical haematologist with the knowledge required to diagnose HEV infection and to aid decision-making in patient management. The article also provides information on addressing patient concerns about their risk of acquiring hepatitis E and how this risk can be mitigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne O'Gorman
- Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Áine Burke
- Consultant Haematologist, Sligo University Hospital, Sligo, Ireland
| | - Niamh O'Flaherty
- Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Dublin 8, Ireland
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Proposal for a new subtype of the zoonotic genotype 3 Hepatitis E virus: HEV-3l. Virus Res 2018; 248:1-4. [PMID: 29452164 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The near-complete genomic sequences of two hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains, detected from feces of infected pigs, were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis and p-distance comparisons of the complete coding regions showed a close relationship to the French swine strain FR-SHEV3c-like detected in 2006 (p-distance value 0.101), belonging to HEV-3 but not assigned to any known subtype. The three HEV sequences showed, relatively high nucleotide distances (p-distance >0.129) compared to the other defined HEV subtype references and unclassified strains. The HEV classification criteria and the high sequence similarity suggest that these strains can be assigned to a putative novel subtype of genotype 3, HEV-3l.
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