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Santos-Silva S, Romalde JL, Bento JT, Cruz AVS, López-López P, Gonçalves HMR, Van der Poel WHM, Nascimento MSJ, Rivero-Juarez A, Mesquita JR. Serological and Molecular Survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Small Ruminants from Central Portugal. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2024:10.1007/s12560-024-09612-4. [PMID: 39235492 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-024-09612-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is currently recognized as an emerging problem and a growing concern for public health in developed countries, with HEV infections mainly attributable to foodborne transmission of HEV-3. The zoonotic HEV genotype 3 infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, with swine considered as the primary host. This study investigates the occurrence of HEV among small ruminants in Portugal. The primary aim of the present research was to evaluate the circulation and the potential for HEV infection among sheep and goats. A total of 400 bile samples and 493 blood samples were collected from sheep and goats at a slaughterhouse in the center region of Portugal, between January 2022 and March 2023. The HEV RNA detection in bile samples was performed using a nested broad-spectrum RT-PCR targeting the ORF1 region. Serological analysis to detect anti-HEV antibodies was conducted using a commercial double-antigen sandwich multi-species ELISA. The HEV RNA was not detected in any bile samples using the nested broad-spectrum RT-PCR. Serological analysis revealed an overall HEV antibody seroprevalence of 2% (10/493, 95% CI: 0.98-3.70) among the small ruminants, namely 2.2% in goats and 2.0% in sheep. Curiously, no statistically significant association among the factors, age, sex and species and HEV seroprevalence was observed. Although HEV RNA was not detected in the bile of sheep and goats, this study the evidence of seroprevalence in these small ruminant species. Further research could provide additional insights into the factors influencing HEV transmission dynamics in small ruminants in Portugal and its potential implications for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Santos-Silva
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jesús L Romalde
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, CIBUS-Faculty of Biology, Cross-Disciplinary Research Center in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | - Andreia V S Cruz
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro López-López
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Helena M R Gonçalves
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Wim H M Van der Poel
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Department Virology & Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | | | - António Rivero-Juarez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - João R Mesquita
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade Do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal.
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2
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Zahmanova G, Takova K, Lukov GL, Andonov A. Hepatitis E Virus in Domestic Ruminants and Virus Excretion in Milk-A Potential Source of Zoonotic HEV Infection. Viruses 2024; 16:684. [PMID: 38793568 PMCID: PMC11126035 DOI: 10.3390/v16050684] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus is a serious health concern worldwide, with 20 million cases each year. Growing numbers of autochthonous HEV infections in industrialized nations are brought on via the zoonotic transmission of HEV genotypes 3 and 4. Pigs and wild boars are the main animal reservoirs of HEV and play the primary role in HEV transmission. Consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat and close contact with infected animals are the most common causes of hepatitis E infection in industrialized countries. However, during the past few years, mounting data describing HEV distribution has led experts to believe that additional animals, particularly domestic ruminant species (cow, goat, sheep, deer, buffalo, and yak), may also play a role in the spreading of HEV. Up to now, there have not been enough studies focused on HEV infections associated with animal milk and the impact that they could have on the epidemiology of HEV. This critical analysis discusses the role of domestic ruminants in zoonotic HEV transmissions. More specifically, we focus on concerns related to milk safety, the role of mixed farming in cross-species HEV infections, and what potential consequences these may have on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Technology Transfer and IP Management, Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Katerina Takova
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Georgi L. Lukov
- Faculty of Sciences, Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Laie, HI 96762, USA
| | - Anton Andonov
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada;
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3
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El-Mokhtar MA, Elkhawaga AA, Ahmed MSH, El-Sabaa EMW, Mosa AA, Abdelmohsen AS, Moussa AM, Salama EH, Aboulfotuh S, Ashmawy AM, Seddik AI, Sayed IM, Ramadan HKA. High Incidence of Acute Liver Failure among Patients in Egypt Coinfected with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E Viruses. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2898. [PMID: 38138042 PMCID: PMC10745896 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are transmitted through the fecal-oral route. HAV outbreaks and one HEV outbreak have been reported in Egypt. However, the impact of HAV-HEV co-infection is not known. In this study, we assessed HEV markers in acute HAV-infected patients (n = 57) enrolled in Assiut University hospitals. We found that 36.8% of HAV-infected patients were also positive for HEV markers (anti-HEV IgM and HEV RNA), while 63.2% of the patients were HAV mono-infected. Demographic and clinical criteria were comparable in both HAV mono-infected patients and HAV-HEV co-infected patients. Although liver enzymes were not significantly different between the two groups, liver transaminases were higher in the co-infected patients. Six patients developed acute liver failure (ALF); five of them were HAV-HEV-co-infected patients. The relative risk of ALF development was 8.5 times higher in HAV-HEV co-infection compared to mono-infection. Three cases of ALF caused by HAV-HEV co-infection were reported in children (below 18 years) and two cases were reported in adults. All patients developed jaundice, coagulopathy, and encephalopathy; all were living in rural communities. In conclusion: HAV-HEV co-infection can be complicated by ALF. The risk of ALF development in HAV-infected patients is higher when coinfection with HEV is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Amal A. Elkhawaga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Mona Sedky Hussein Ahmed
- Molecular Biology Researches & Studies Institute (MBRSI), Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ehsan M. W. El-Sabaa
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Aliaa A. Mosa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Shawkat Abdelmohsen
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Abdelmajeed M. Moussa
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt
| | - Eman H. Salama
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Sahar Aboulfotuh
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M. Ashmawy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ismail Seddik
- Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M. Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Haidi Karam-Allah Ramadan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
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Turlewicz-Podbielska H, Augustyniak A, Wojciechowski J, Pomorska-Mól M. Hepatitis E Virus in Livestock-Update on Its Epidemiology and Risk of Infection to Humans. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3239. [PMID: 37893962 PMCID: PMC10603682 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203239] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health problem worldwide and an important food pathogen known for its zoonotic potential. Increasing numbers of infection cases with human HEV are caused by the zoonotic transmission of genotypes 3 and 4, mainly by consuming contaminated, undercooked or raw porcine meat. Pigs are the main reservoir of HEV. However, it should be noted that other animal species, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and rabbits, may also be a source of infection for humans. Due to the detection of HEV RNA in the milk and tissues of cattle, the consumption of infected uncooked milk and meat or offal from these species also poses a potential risk of zoonotic HEV infections. Poultry infected by avian HEV may also develop symptomatic disease, although avian HEV is not considered a zoonotic pathogen. HEV infection has a worldwide distribution with different prevalence rates depending on the affected animal species, sampling region, or breeding system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Turlewicz-Podbielska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
| | - Agata Augustyniak
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
| | | | - Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
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5
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Nemes K, Persson S, Simonsson M. Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus as Food- and Waterborne Pathogens-Transmission Routes and Methods for Detection in Food. Viruses 2023; 15:1725. [PMID: 37632066 PMCID: PMC10457876 DOI: 10.3390/v15081725] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Foodborne viruses are an important threat to food safety and public health. Globally, there are approximately 5 million cases of acute viral hepatitis due to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) every year. HAV is responsible for numerous food-related viral outbreaks worldwide, while HEV is an emerging pathogen with a global health burden. The reported HEV cases in Europe have increased tenfold in the last 20 years due to its zoonotic transmission through the consumption of infected meat or meat products. HEV is considered the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide currently. This review focuses on the latest findings on the foodborne transmission routes of HAV and HEV and the methods for their detection in different food matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Nemes
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Foodborne Viruses, Swedish Food Agency, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 56 A, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.P.); (M.S.)
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6
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Batmagnai E, Boldbaatar B, Sodbayasgalan A, Kato-Mori Y, Hagiwara K. Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Spreads from Pigs and Sheep in Mongolia. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050891. [PMID: 36899748 PMCID: PMC10000034 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050891] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a viral infectious disease in pigs, wild boars, cows, deer, rabbits, camels, and humans as hosts caused by Paslahepevirus. Recently, it has been detected in a wide variety of animals including domestic small ruminants. Mongolia is a land of nomadic people living with livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle. Due to how Mongolian lifestyles have changed, pork has become popular and swine diseases have emerged. Among them, Hepatitis E disease has become a zoonotic infectious disease that needs to be addressed. The HEV problem in pigs is that infected pigs excrete the virus without showing clinical symptoms and it spreads into the environment. We attempted to detect HEV RNA in sheep which had been raised in Mongolia for a long time, and those animals living together with pigs in the same region currently. We also conducted a longitudinal analysis of HEV infection in pigs in the same area and found that they were infected with HEV of the same genotype and cluster. In this study, we examined 400 feces and 120 livers (pigs and sheep) by RT-PCR in Töv Province, Mongolia. HEV detection in fecal samples was 2% (4/200) in sheep and 15% (30/200) in pigs. The results of ORF2 sequence analysis of the HEV RT-PCR-positive pigs and sheep confirmed genotype 4 in both animals. The results suggest that HEV infection is widespread in both pigs and sheep and that urgent measures to prevent infection are needed. This case study points to the changing nature of infectious diseases associated with livestock farming. It will be necessary to reconsider livestock husbandry and public health issues based on these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhbaatar Batmagnai
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
| | - Bazartseren Boldbaatar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
| | - Amarbayasgalan Sodbayasgalan
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
| | - Yuko Kato-Mori
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 7-1-49 Minatojima Minami-Machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Katsuro Hagiwara
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan
- Correspondence:
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7
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Geng Y, Shi T, Wang Y. Epidemiology of Hepatitis E. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:33-48. [PMID: 37223857 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is globally prevalent with relatively high percentages of anti-HEV immunoglobulin G-positive individuals in the populations of developing and developed countries. There are two distinct epidemiological patterns of hepatitis E. In areas with high disease endemicity, primarily developing countries in Asia and Africa, this disease is caused mainly by genotypes HEV-1 or HEV-2; both genotypes transmit predominantly through contaminated water and occur as either outbreaks or sporadic cases of acute hepatitis. The acute hepatitis has the highest attack rate in young adults and is particularly severe among pregnant women. In developed countries, sporadic cases of locally acquired HEV-3 or HEV-4 infection are observed. The reservoir of HEV-3 and HEV-4 is believed to be animals, such as pigs, with zoonotic transmission to humans. The affected persons are often elderly, and persistent infection has been well documented among immunosuppressed persons. A subunit vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing clinical disease and has been licensed in China.
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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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8
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Sayed IM, Abdelwahab SF. Is Hepatitis E Virus a Neglected or Emerging Pathogen in Egypt? Pathogens 2022; 11:1337. [PMID: 36422589 PMCID: PMC9697431 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Though Egypt ranks among the top countries for viral hepatitis and death-related liver disease, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a neglected pathogen. Living in villages and rural communities with low sanitation, use of underground well water and contact with animals are the main risk factors for HEV infection. Domestic animals, especially ruminants and their edible products, are one source of infection. Contamination of water by either human or animal stools is the main route of infection. In addition, HEV either alone or in coinfection with other hepatotropic viruses has been recorded in Egyptian blood donors. HEV seropositivity among Egyptian villagers was 60-80%, especially in the first decade of life. Though HEV seropositivity is the highest among Egyptians, HEV infection is not routinely diagnosed in Egyptian hospitals. The initial manifestations of HEV among Egyptians is a subclinical infection, although progression to fulminant hepatic failure has been recorded. With the improvement in serological and molecular approaches and increasing research on HEV, it is becoming clear that HEV represents a threat for Egyptians and preventive measures should be considered to reduce the infection rate and possible complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M. Sayed
- Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Sayed F. Abdelwahab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
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9
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Santos-Silva S, Gonçalves HMR, Rivero-Juarez A, Van der Poel WHM, Nascimento MSJ, Mesquita JR. Detection of hepatitis E virus in milk: Current evidence for viral excretion in a wide range of mammalian hosts. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3173-3180. [PMID: 35989468 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) is common in both developing and industrialized nations. Genotypes 3 and 4 are increasingly being reported, particularly in high-income countries where the precise extent of HEV transmission via food is currently unclear. Recently, HEV has been found to be excreted in milk; however, data on the potential milk-borne transmission is still lacking or conflicting and warrants further research on the topic. As such, the aim of the present study was to review the current scientific knowledge and to summarize the existing studies in which HEV has been detected in milk. Exhaustive searches were carried out in Mendeley, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 157 papers were retrieved from the four electronic databases. After removing duplicate articles from the databases (n = 30), exclusion criteria identified unrelated research (n = 115). This allowed the identification of 12 eligible papers. To date, studies on HEV detection in milk were mostly from China (n = 5), followed by Egypt (n = 2), Germany (n = 1), Belgium and Holland (n = 1), Turkey (n = 1), Czech Republic (n = 1) and Spain (n = 1) and were focused on a variety of animals (cow, goat, donkey, buffalo, sheep and camel) and humans. Four out of the 12 eligible studies did not find any evidence of HEV in milk. Moreover, 3 out of the 12 studies detected low rates of HEV (0.2-1.8%) and two were based on a low sample size (n = 1 and n = 4). Interestingly, one study showed very high detection rates and also detected HEV genotype 1 in an animal milk sample, an unusual finding since it only occurs in humans, deserving further studies for confirmation and characterization. Two studies detected high prevalence of HEV genotype 4 in bovine samples from China, with one showing indication of the presence of infectious HEV in milk. To date, there is still a small amount of available data on the HEV presence in milk, posing important questions regarding both animal and human health. Thus, further efforts on this potentially underestimated zoonotic route for HEV should be given, warranting further studies on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Santos-Silva
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - António Rivero-Juarez
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba, Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Wim H M Van der Poel
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Department Virology & Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | | | - João R Mesquita
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal
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10
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El-Mokhtar MA, Sayed IM, Kamel AM, Mesalam AA, Elgohary EA, Khalaf KAB, Adel S, Elfadl AA, Khalifa WA, Ramadan HKA. The First Report of Coxiella burnetii as a Potential Neglected Pathogen of Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Causes in Egypt. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2168. [PMID: 36363760 PMCID: PMC9693106 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently alerted the emergence of new pathogens causing acute hepatitis in children across several countries. This new situation directs us to the screening of neglected pathogens that cause acute hepatitis. Q-fever is a zoonotic disease, caused by Coxiella burnetii. Although a high seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii was recorded in animals present in Egypt, Q-fever is still a neglected disease, and the diagnosis of Q-fever is not routinely performed in Egyptian hospitals. In this study, we performed a retrospective assessment for Coxiella burnetii in cases of hepatitis of unknown causes (HUC) enrolled in Assiut University hospitals, in Egypt. Out of 64 samples of HUC, 54 samples were negative for all hepatitis markers, labeled as acute hepatitis of unknown etiology (AHUE), and 10 samples tested positive for adenovirus and Hepatitis E virus (HEV). Q-fever was detected in 3 out of 54 (5.6%) of AHUE, and one sample was confirmed as coinfection of HEV/Q-fever. Jaundice was the most common clinical symptom developed in the patients. In conclusion, Coxiella burnetii was found to be a potential cause of acute hepatitis in HUC. The diagnosis of Q-fever should be considered in acute hepatitis cases in Egyptian hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M. Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ayat M. Kamel
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Atef Mesalam
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Elsayed A. Elgohary
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Khaled Abo bakr Khalaf
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Sara Adel
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University-Assiut Branch, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Azza Abo Elfadl
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Walaa A. Khalifa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Haidi Karam-Allah Ramadan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
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11
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Sayed IM, Karam-Allah Ramadan H, Hafez MHR, Elkhawaga AA, El-Mokhtar MA. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) open reading frame 2: Role in pathogenesis and diagnosis in HEV infections. Rev Med Virol 2022; 32:e2401. [PMID: 36209386 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection occurs worldwide. The HEV genome includes three to four open reading frames (ORF1-4). ORF1 proteins are essential for viral replication, while the ORF3 protein is an ion channel involved in the exit of HEV from the infected cells. ORF2 proteins form the viral capsid required for HEV invasion and assembly. They also suppress interferon production and inhibit antibody-mediated neutralisation of HEV, allowing the virus to hijack the host immune response. ORF2 is the only detectable viral protein in the human liver during HEV infection and it is secreted in the plasma, stool, and urine of HEV-infected patients, making it a reliable diagnostic marker. The plasma HEV ORF2 antigen level can predict the outcome of HEV infections. Hence, monitoring HEV ORF2 antigen levels may be useful in assessing the efficacy of anti-HEV therapy. The ORF2 antigen is immunogenic and includes epitopes that can induce neutralising antibodies; therefore, it is a potential HEV vaccine candidate. In this review, we highlighted the different forms of HEV ORF2 protein and their roles in HEV pathogenesis, diagnosis, monitoring the therapeutic efficacy, and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Haidi Karam-Allah Ramadan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud H R Hafez
- International Scholar, African Leadership Academy, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Amal A Elkhawaga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.,Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, Assiut, Egypt
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12
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Kinast V, Klöhn M, Nocke MK, Todt D, Steinmann E. Hepatitis E virus species barriers: seeking viral and host determinants. Curr Opin Virol 2022; 56:101274. [PMID: 36283248 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2022.101274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The intimate relationship between virus and host cell can result in highly adapted viruses that are restricted to a single host. However, some viruses have the ability to infect multiple host species. Remarkably, hepatitis E viruses (HEV) comprise genotypes that are either 'single-host' or 'multi-host' genotypes, a trait that raises fundamental questions: Why do different genotypes differ in their host range, despite a high degree of genomic similarity? What are the underlying molecular determinants that shape species barriers? Here, we review the current knowledge of viral and host determinants that may affect the evolutionary trajectories of HEV. We also provide a perspective on techniques and methods that address open questions of HEV host range and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Kinast
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Mara Klöhn
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Maximilian K Nocke
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), External Partner Site, Bochum, Germany.
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13
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Current Knowledge of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Epidemiology in Ruminants. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101124. [PMID: 36297181 PMCID: PMC9609093 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection represents an emerging public health concern worldwide. In industrialized countries, increasing numbers of autochthonous cases of human HEV infection are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes 3 and 4, mainly through the consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked meat of infected pigs and wild boars, which are considered the main reservoirs of HEV. However, in the last few years, accumulating evidence seems to indicate that several other animals, including different ruminant species, may harbor HEV. Understanding the impact of HEV infection in ruminants and identifying the risk factors affecting transmission among animals and to humans is critical in order to determine their role in the epidemiological cycle of HEV. In this review, we provide a summary of current knowledge on HEV ecology in ruminants. A growing body of evidence has revealed that these animal species may be potential important hosts of HEV, raising concerns about the possible implications for public health.
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14
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Caballero-Gómez J, García-Bocanegra I, Jiménez-Martín D, Cano-Terriza D, Risalde MA, López-López P, Jiménez-Ruiz S, Rivero A, Rivero-Juarez A. Epidemiological survey and risk factors associated with hepatitis E virus in small ruminants in southern Spain. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:387-393. [PMID: 35244968 PMCID: PMC9311081 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autochthonous cases of hepatitis E (HE) associated with zoonotic genotypes HEV-3 and HEV-4 have significantly increased in industrialized countries over the last decade. Suidae are generally recognized as the main reservoirs of these genotypes. Susceptibility to HE virus (HEV) infection and zoonotic potential have also been confirmed in other species, including sheep and goat. However, the information about their role in the epidemiology of HEV remains very scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence, spatial distribution and risk factors associated with HEV exposure in sheep and goats in southern Spain, the country with the highest census of small domestic ruminants in the European Union. Blood samples from 240 sheep and 240 goats were collected between 2015 and 2017. Sera were analysed in parallel using a commercial double-antigen ELISA and real-time PCR. A total of 38 (7.9%; 95%CI: 5.5-10.3) out of 480 sampled animals showed anti-HEV antibodies. By species, the seroprevalences found in sheep and goats were 2.1% (5/240; 95%CI: 0.3-3.9) and 13.8% (33/240; 95%CI: 9.4-18.1) respectively. Anti-HEV antibodies were found on 19 (59.4%; 95%CI: 42.4-76.4) of the 32 sampled farms. The GEE model showed that species (goat) and number of small ruminants in the farm (≤348 animals and ≥538 animals) were risk factors potentially associated with HEV exposure in small ruminants in the study area. HEV RNA was not detected in any of the 480 (0.0%; 95%CI: 0.0-0.8) tested animals. Our results confirm that sheep and goats are naturally, but not equally exposed to HEV and indicate the widespread spatial distribution of HEV among small ruminant populations in southern Spain. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of sheep and goat in the epidemiology of HEV and their potential implications for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - María A Risalde
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC.,Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pedro López-López
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,Health & Biotechnology (SaBio) Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
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15
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El-Kafrawy SA, El-Daly MM. Hepatitis E virus in Saudi Arabia: more surveillance needed. Future Virol 2022. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2021-0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small quasi-enveloped ssRNA causing acute hepatitis. HEV is the leading cause of intermittent acute hepatitis and fulminant hepatic failure. Risk factors include drinking contaminated water in developing countries and consumption of infected animal products in developed countries. Previous reports on HEV prevalence in Saudi Arabia had small sample sizes. Nationwide systematic seroprevalence studies are needed to investigate risk factors and annual incidence. Camels play a cultural and economic role in the life of Saudi citizens with frequent human contact and potential role in zoonotic transmission. Future research needs to include larger sample-sizes and nationwide studies. Future studies should also focus on raising awareness of HEV infection and the need for wider population testing and screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherif Aly El-Kafrawy
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mai Mohamed El-Daly
- Special Infectious Agents Unit-BSL3, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
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16
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Sayed IM, El-Mokhtar MA. Are ruminants and their products potential sources of human hepatitis E virus infection? Future Virol 2021. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2021-0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, Assiut, Egypt
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17
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El-Mokhtar MA, Ramadan HKA, Thabet MM, Abd-Elkader AS, Fouad M, Sallam MM, Elgohary EA, Abd El-Hafeez AA, Mohamed ME, Sayed IM. The Unmet Needs of Hepatitis E Virus Diagnosis in Suspected Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Limited Resource Setting. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:737486. [PMID: 34690979 PMCID: PMC8533821 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.737486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Currently, there are no specific biomarkers for drug-induced liver injury (DILI), and the diagnosis of DILI is based mainly on the exclusion of other causes of liver dysfunction and the recognition of potential causative drugs. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) diagnosis is not routinely enrolled in many countries, and HEV infection could be misdiagnosed as DILI. Methodology: We retrospectively analyzed plasma samples (n = 80) collected from suspected DILI for HEV markers such as anti-HEV IgM, anti-HEV IgG, and HEV RNA. Anti-HEV antibodies were assessed using commercial ELISA kits. HEV RNA was tested by RT-qPCR targeting HEV ORF2/3, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and a putative threshold for liver function parameters was determined. Results: Out of 80 samples, 12 samples were positive for anti-HEV IgM and anti-HEV IgG, and HEV RNA was detected in seven samples. The median viral load was 3.46 × 103 IU/ml, and the isolated viruses belonged to HEV genotype 1. The level of liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), but not alkaline phosphatase (ALP), was significantly higher in HEV confirmed cases than in non-HEV confirmed cases. We identified a plasma ALT level of at least 415.5 U/L and AST level of at least 332 U/L; ALT/ALP ratio of at least 5.08 could be used as a guide for the patients diagnosed as DILI to be tested for HEV infection. The previous liver function parameters showed high sensitivity and good specificity. Conclusion: Hepatitis E virus was detected in suspected DILI cases. The diagnosis of DILI is not secure until HEV testing is done. Liver function parameters can be used as a guide for HEV testing in suspected DILI cases in countries with limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt.,Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Haidi Karam-Allah Ramadan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Marwa M Thabet
- Department of Clinical pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Alaa S Abd-Elkader
- Department of Clinical pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Magdy Fouad
- Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, Minya, Egypt
| | - Mohammad M Sallam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Elsayed A Elgohary
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Amer Ali Abd El-Hafeez
- Pharmacology and Experimental Oncology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Mona Embarek Mohamed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
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18
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Sayed IM, Abd Elhameed ZA, Abd El-Kareem DM, Abdel-Malek MAY, Ali ME, Ibrahim MA, Sayed AAR, Khalaf KAB, Abdel-Wahid L, El-Mokhtar MA. Hepatitis E Virus Persistence and/or Replication in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Acute HEV-Infected Patients. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:696680. [PMID: 34335528 PMCID: PMC8322848 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.696680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes about 14 million infections with 300,000 deaths and 5,200 stillbirths worldwide annually. Extrahepatic manifestations are reported with HEV infections, such as renal, neurological, and hematological disorders. Recently, we reported that stool-derived HEV-1 replicates efficiently in human monocytes and macrophages in vitro. However, another study reports the presence of viral RNA but no evidence of replication in the PBMCs of acute hepatitis E (AHE) patients. Therefore, the replication of HEV in PBMCs during AHE infection is not completely understood. METHODS PBMCs were isolated from AHE patients (n = 17) enrolled in Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt. The viral load, positive (+) and negative (-) HEV RNA strands and viral protein were assessed. The gene expression profile of PBMCs from AHE patients was assessed. In addition, the level of cytokines was measured in the plasma of the patients. RESULTS HEV RNA was detected in the PBMCs of AHE patients. The median HEV load in the PBMCs was 1.34 × 103 IU/ml. A negative HEV RNA strand and HEV open reading frame 2 protein were recorded in 4/17 (23.5%) of the PBMCs. Upregulation of inflammatory transcripts and increased plasma cytokines were recorded in the AHE patients compared with healthy individuals with significantly elevated transcripts and plasma cytokines in the AHE with detectable (+) and (-) RNA strands compared with the AHE with the detectable (+) RNA strand only. There was no significant difference in terms of age, sex, and liver function tests between AHE patients with detectable (+) and (-) RNA strands in the PBMCs and AHE patients with the (+) RNA strand only. CONCLUSION Our study shows evidence for in vivo HEV persistence and replication in the PBMCs of AHE patients. The replication of HEV in the PBMCs was associated with an enhanced immune response, which could affect the pathogenesis of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M. Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | - Doaa M. Abd El-Kareem
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed E. Ali
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Maggie A. Ibrahim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | | | - Khaled Abo bakr Khalaf
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Lobna Abdel-Wahid
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, Assiut, Egypt
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Khuroo MS. Hepatitis E and Pregnancy: An Unholy Alliance Unmasked from Kashmir, India. Viruses 2021; 13:1329. [PMID: 34372535 PMCID: PMC8310059 DOI: 10.3390/v13071329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The adverse relationship between viral hepatitis and pregnancy in developing countries had been interpreted as a reflection of retrospectively biased hospital-based data collection by the West. However, the discovery of hepatitis E virus (HEV) as the etiological agent of an epidemic of non-A, non-B hepatitis in Kashmir, and the documenting of the increased incidence and severity of hepatitis E in pregnancy via a house-to-house survey, unmasked this unholy alliance. In the Hepeviridae family, HEV-genotype (gt)1 from genus Orthohepevirus A has a unique open reading frame (ORF)4-encoded protein which enhances viral polymerase activity and viral replication. The epidemics caused by HEV-gt1, but not any other Orthohepevirus A genotype, show an adverse relationship with pregnancy in humans. The pathogenesis of the association is complex and at present not well understood. Possibly multiple factors play a role in causing severe liver disease in the pregnant women including infection and damage to the maternal-fetal interface by HEV-gt1; vertical transmission of HEV to fetus causing severe fetal/neonatal hepatitis; and combined viral and hormone related immune dysfunction of diverse nature in the pregnant women, promoting viral replication. Management is multidisciplinary and needs a close watch for the development and management of acute liver failure. (ALF). Preliminary data suggest beneficial maternal outcomes by early termination of pregnancy in patients with lower grades of encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sultan Khuroo
- Digestive Diseases Centre, Dr. Khuroo's Medical Clinic, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190010, India
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20
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Hepatitis E Outbreak in the Central Part of Italy Sustained by Multiple HEV Genotype 3 Strains, June-December 2019. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061159. [PMID: 34204376 PMCID: PMC8235070 DOI: 10.3390/v13061159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In European countries, autochthonous acute hepatitis E cases are caused by Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) genotype 3 and are usually observed as sporadic cases. In mid/late September 2019, a hepatitis E outbreak caused by HEV genotype 3 was recognized by detection of identical/highly similar HEV sequences in some hepatitis E cases from two Italian regions, Abruzzo and Lazio, with most cases from this latter region showing a link with Abruzzo. Overall, 47 cases of HEV infection were finally observed with onsets from 8 June 2019 to 6 December 2019; they represent a marked increase as compared with just a few cases in the same period of time in the past years and in the same areas. HEV sequencing was successful in 35 cases. The phylogenetic analysis of the viral sequences showed 30 of them grouped in three distinct molecular clusters, termed A, B, and C: strains in cluster A and B were of subtype 3e and strains in cluster C were of subtype 3f. No strains detected in Abruzzo in the past years clustered with the strains involved in the present outbreak. The outbreak curve showed partially overlapped temporal distribution of the three clusters. Analysis of collected epidemiological data identified pork products as the most likely source of the outbreak. Overall, the findings suggest that the outbreak might have been caused by newly and almost simultaneously introduced strains not previously circulating in this area, which are possibly harbored by pork products or live animals imported from outside Abruzzo. This possibility deserves further studies in this area in order to monitor the circulation of HEV in human cases as well as in pigs and wild boars.
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21
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Mrzljak A, Jemersic L, Savic V, Balen I, Ilic M, Jurekovic Z, Pavicic-Saric J, Mikulic D, Vilibic-Cavlek T. Hepatitis E Virus in Croatia in the "One-Health" Context. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060699. [PMID: 34199798 PMCID: PMC8227679 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060699] [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: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of viral hepatitis globally. The first human case of autochthonous HEV infection in Croatia was reported in 2012, with the undefined zoonotic transmission of HEV genotype 3. This narrative review comprehensively addresses the current knowledge on the HEV epidemiology in humans and animals in Croatia. Published studies showed the presence of HEV antibodies in different population groups, such as chronic patients, healthcare professionals, voluntary blood donors and professionally exposed and pregnant women. The highest seroprevalence in humans was found in patients on hemodialysis in a study conducted in 2018 (27.9%). Apart from humans, different studies have confirmed the infection in pigs, wild boars and a mouse, indicating the interspecies transmission of HEV due to direct or indirect contact or as a foodborne infection. Continued periodical surveys in humans and animals are needed to identify the possible changes in the epidemiology of HEV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mrzljak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Lorena Jemersic
- Department of Virology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Poultry Center, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ivan Balen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Endocrinology, General Hospital “Dr. Josip Bencevic”, 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia;
| | - Maja Ilic
- Department of Epidemiology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Zeljka Jurekovic
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Jadranka Pavicic-Saric
- Department of Anestesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Danko Mikulic
- Department of Abdominal and Transplant Surgery, Merkur University Hospital, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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22
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Alhatlani BY, Aljabr WA, Almarzouqi MS, Alhatlani SM, Alzunaydi RN, Alsaykhan AS, Almaiman SH, Aleid AA, Alsughayir AH, Bishawri YE, Almusallam AA. Seroprevalence of the hepatitis E virus antibodies among blood donors in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Future Virol 2021. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2021-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aim: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission through blood transfusion is a major public health issue worldwide. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HEV in blood donors in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Materials & methods: Serum samples (n = 1078) were collected from volunteer blood donors and tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM by indirect ELISA. Results: The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG among the blood donors was 5.7% overall. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM seropositivity were significantly higher in non-Saudi donors than in Saudi donors (22.1 vs 3 and 7.8 vs 0.2% for anti-HEV IgG and IgM, respectively). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HEV among blood donors in the Qassim region was lower than previous estimates for other regions of the country and neighboring countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bader Y Alhatlani
- Department of Applied Medical Sciences, Unayzah Community College, Qassim University, Unayzah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed A Aljabr
- Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S Almarzouqi
- Department of Applied Medical Sciences, Unayzah Community College, Qassim University, Unayzah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami M Alhatlani
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Blood Donor Unit, King Saud Hospital, Unayzah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rayan N Alzunaydi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Blood Donor Unit, King Saud Hospital, Unayzah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer S Alsaykhan
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Blood Donor Unit, King Saud Hospital, Unayzah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sulaiman H Almaiman
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Blood Donor Unit, King Saud Hospital, Unayzah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed A Aleid
- Gastroenterology & Department of Hepatology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ammar H Alsughayir
- Transfusion Medicine & Department of Hematopathology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yara E Bishawri
- Research Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman A Almusallam
- Department of Applied Medical Sciences, Unayzah Community College, Qassim University, Unayzah, Saudi Arabia
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El-Mokhtar MA, Karam-Allah Ramadan H, Abdel Hameed MR, M Kamel A, A Mandour S, Ali M, Abdel-Malek MAY, M Abd El-Kareem D, Adel S, H Salama E, Khalaf KAB, Sayed IM. Evaluation of hepatitis E antigen kinetics and its diagnostic utility for prediction of the outcomes of hepatitis E virus genotype 1 infection. Virulence 2021; 12:1334-1344. [PMID: 34002677 PMCID: PMC8143225 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1922027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HEV-Ag ELISA assay is a reliable diagnostic test in resource-limited areas. HEV genotype 1 (HEV-1) infections are either self-limited or progress to fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and death if anti-HEV therapy is delayed. Limited data is available about the diagnostic utility of HEV Ag on HEV-1 infections. Herein wWe aimed to study the kinetics of HEV Ag during HEV-1 infections at different stages, i.e., acute HEV infection, recovery, and progression to FHF. Also, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of this marker to predict the outcomes of HEV-1 infections. Plasma of acute hepatitis E (AHE) patients were assessed for HEV RNA by RT-qPCR, HEV Ag, and anti-HEV IgM by ELISA. The kinetics of HEV Ag was monitored at different time points; acute phase of infection, recovery, FHF stage, and post-recovery. Our results showed that the level of HEV Ag was elevated in AHE patients with a significantly higher level in FHF patients than recovered patients. We identified a plasma HEV Ag threshold that can differentiate between self-limiting infection and FHF progression with 100% sensitivity and 88.89% specificity. HEV Ag and HEV RNA have similar kinetics during the acute phase and self-limiting infection. In the FHF stage, HEV Ag and anti-HEV IgM have similar patterns of kinetics which could be the cause of liver damage. In conclusion, the HEV Ag assay can be used as a biomarker for predicting the consequences of HEV-1 infections which could be diagnostically useful for taking the appropriate measures to reduce the complications, especially for high-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.,Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Haidi Karam-Allah Ramadan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Muhamad R Abdel Hameed
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology Unit, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ayat M Kamel
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut Egypt
| | - Sahar A Mandour
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Maha Ali
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
| | | | | | - Sara Adel
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Eman H Salama
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Khaled Abo Bakr Khalaf
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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24
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do Nascimento RS, Baia KLN, de Souza SB, Fontoura GMG, Nunes PF, Machado LFA, Kupek E, Fischer B, Martins LC, Oliveira-Filho AB. Hepatitis E Virus in People Who Use Crack-Cocaine: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Remote Region of Northern Brazil. Viruses 2021; 13:926. [PMID: 34067873 PMCID: PMC8156048 DOI: 10.3390/v13050926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
People who use crack-cocaine (PWUCC) have numerous vulnerabilities and pose a challenge to health and social assistance services. The exposure to pathogens and risk situations occur differently according to each individual, region and social group. This study identified the presence, genotypes and factors associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) exposure among a community-recruited cohort of 437 PWUCC in northern Brazil. Epidemiological information was collected through community-based assessments and interviews. Thereafter, blood and fecal samples were collected and tested for HEV using an immunoenzymatic assay, and the genotype was identified by PCR. Logistic regressions were used to identify the risk factors independently associated with exposure to HEV. In total, 79 (18.1%) PWUCC were exposed to HEV: 73 (16.7%) for IgG and six for IgG + IgM. HEV RNA was detected in six fecal samples and in two blood samples from PWUCC with IgM + IgG. Subtype 3c was identified in all of the samples. The factors associated with exposure to HEV were low monthly income, unstable housing (e.g., homelessness), crack-cocaine use ≥40 months, and the shared use of crack-cocaine equipment. The current study provides unique initial insights into HEV status and risk factors among PWUCC in a remote area in Brazil, with diverse implications for urgently improved diagnosis, prevention, and treatment intervention needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Silva do Nascimento
- Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Populações Vulneráveis, Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil; (R.S.d.N.); (K.L.N.B.); (S.B.d.S.); (G.M.G.F.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil
| | - Karen Lorena N. Baia
- Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Populações Vulneráveis, Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil; (R.S.d.N.); (K.L.N.B.); (S.B.d.S.); (G.M.G.F.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Tropicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil; (P.F.N.); (L.C.M.)
| | - Samara Borges de Souza
- Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Populações Vulneráveis, Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil; (R.S.d.N.); (K.L.N.B.); (S.B.d.S.); (G.M.G.F.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Linguagens e Saberes na Amazônia, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Martins G. Fontoura
- Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Populações Vulneráveis, Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil; (R.S.d.N.); (K.L.N.B.); (S.B.d.S.); (G.M.G.F.)
| | - Patrícia Ferreira Nunes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Tropicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil; (P.F.N.); (L.C.M.)
| | - Luiz Fernando A. Machado
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil;
| | - Emil Kupek
- Departamento de Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, Brazil;
| | - Benedikt Fischer
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
- Departamento de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04038-000, Brazil
| | - Luísa Caricio Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Tropicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil; (P.F.N.); (L.C.M.)
| | - Aldemir B. Oliveira-Filho
- Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa em Populações Vulneráveis, Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil; (R.S.d.N.); (K.L.N.B.); (S.B.d.S.); (G.M.G.F.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Pará, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Tropicais, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66055-240, Brazil; (P.F.N.); (L.C.M.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Linguagens e Saberes na Amazônia, Bragança 68600-000, Brazil
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25
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El-Mokhtar MA, Sayed IM. Model systems for studying extrahepatic pathogenesis of hepatitis E virus. Current knowledge and future directions. Rev Med Virol 2021; 31:e2218. [PMID: 33475223 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E Virus is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. HEV infection is endemic in developing countries. Also, autochthonous and sporadic cases are reported in developed countries. HEV causes acute and chronic infections. Besides, extrahepatic manifestations including neurological, renal, haematological, acute pancreatitis and complications during pregnancy are associated with HEV infections. The pathogenesis of HEV in the extrahepatic tissues is either due to direct cytopathic effect mediated by the virus replication, or immunological mechanisms caused by an uncontrollable host response. Researchers have used different in vivo and in vitro models to study the pathogenesis of HEV in the extrahepatic tissues and analyse the host immune response against HEV infection. This review highlights the extrahepatic disorders associated with HEV infection. We focused on the in vivo and in vitro models as a tool for elucidating the HEV infection beyond the liver and studying the mechanisms of HEV induced tissue damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.,Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California, USA
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26
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Sayed IM, El-Mokhtar MA, Mahmoud MAR, Elkhawaga AA, Gaber S, Seddek NH, Abdel-Wahid L, Ashmawy AM, Alkareemy EAR. Clinical Outcomes and Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Among Non-A-C Hepatitis Patients in Egypt. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:59-69. [PMID: 33469320 PMCID: PMC7811453 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s289766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging infectious agent that causes acute hepatitis in developing and developed countries. Diagnosis of HEV infection has not been routinely done in Egyptian hospitals, and clinicians do not prescribe ribavirin (RBV) for acute hepatitis cases of unknown etiology (AHUE). We aimed to screen patients with AHUE for the presence of HEV markers and to determine the complications associated with HEV infection. Patients and Methods HEV markers (anti-HEV IgM, anti-HEV IgG, and HEV RNA) were assessed in patients with AHUE (n=300) admitted to Assiut University Hospitals. RT-qPCR was used to detect the viral load and sequencing analysis was carried out to determine the genotype of the detected viruses. Phylogenetic tree was constructed to evaluate the genetic relatedness between the isolates. Laboratory parameters and the outcomes of infection were determined. Results Acute HEV infection (AHE) was detected in 30 out of 300 (10%) of AHUE patients. Anti-HEV IgM, HEV RNA, and anti-HEV IgG were reported in 83%, 50%, and 43% of the samples, respectively. HEV RNA load ranged from 5×102 IU/mL to 1.1×104 IU/mL. Sequencing of the isolated viruses revealed that five viruses belong to HEV-1 and one isolate belongs to HEV-3 with high homology to the virus recently isolated from the cow and goat milk in the Egyptian villages. Although previous reports showed that attenuated HEV isolates were circulating in Egypt, four out of 30 patients (13%) developed coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy and died due to fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) within 3–6 weeks of hospitalization. Age, malignancy, and a history of pre-existing liver diseases were a risky factor for FHF development. Conclusion AHE is common in Upper Egypt. Older patients with malignancy and/or a history of liver diseases are risky. HEV diagnosis and treatment become pivotal in Egyptian hospitals to reduce the fatality rate and they should start urgently and promptly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Abdel Rahman Mahmoud
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Amal A Elkhawaga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Shereen Gaber
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Nermien H Seddek
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Applied Medical Sciences-Jubail 4030 (CAMSJ), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Jubail 35816, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lobna Abdel-Wahid
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Ashmawy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Enas Ahmed Reda Alkareemy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
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27
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Belei O, Ancusa O, Mara A, Olariu L, Amaricai E, Folescu R, Zamfir CL, Gurgus D, Motoc AG, Stânga LC, Strat L, Marginean O. Current Paradigm of Hepatitis E Virus Among Pediatric and Adult Patients. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:721918. [PMID: 34660485 PMCID: PMC8515027 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.721918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a polymorphic condition, present throughout the world and involving children and adults. Multiple studies over the last decade have contributed to a better understanding of the natural evolution of this infection in various population groups, several reservoirs and transmission routes being identified. To date, acute or chronic HEV-induced hepatitis has in some cases remained underdiagnosed due to the lower accuracy of serological tests and due to the evolutionary possibility with extrahepatic manifestations. Implementation of diagnostic tests based on nucleic acid analysis has increased the detection rate of this disease. The epidemiological and clinical features of HEV hepatitis differ depending on the geographical areas studied. HEV infection is usually a self-limiting condition in immunocompetent patients, but in certain categories of vulnerable patients it can induce a sudden evolution toward acute liver failure (pregnant women) or chronicity (immunosuppressed patients, post-transplant, hematological, or malignant diseases). In acute HEV infections in most cases supportive treatment is sufficient. In patients who develop chronic hepatitis with HEV, dose reduction of immunosuppressive medication should be the first therapeutic step, especially in patients with transplant. In case of unfavorable response, the initiation of antiviral therapy is recommended. In this review, the authors summarized the essential published data related to the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic aspects of HEV infection in adult and pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana Belei
- First Pediatric Clinic, Disturbance of Growth and Development on Children Research Center, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Oana Ancusa
- Fifth Department of Internal Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adelina Mara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emergency City Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Laura Olariu
- First Pediatric Clinic, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Elena Amaricai
- Department of Rehabilitation Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Folescu
- Department of Balneology, Medical Recovery and Rheumatology, Family Discipline, Center for Preventive Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Carmen Lacramioara Zamfir
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences I, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Daniela Gurgus
- Department of Balneology, Medical Recovery and Rheumatology, Family Discipline, Center for Preventive Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andrei G Motoc
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Livia Claudia Stânga
- Department of Microbiology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Liliana Strat
- Department of Mother and Child Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
| | - Otilia Marginean
- First Pediatric Clinic, Disturbance of Growth and Development on Children Research Center, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
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Dziedzinska R, Krzyzankova M, Bena M, Vasickova P. Evidence of Hepatitis E Virus in Goat and Sheep Milk. Viruses 2020; 12:v12121429. [PMID: 33322702 PMCID: PMC7763044 DOI: 10.3390/v12121429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the etiological agent behind hepatitis E infection. Domestic pigs and wild boars are the main animal reservoirs of HEV. Very few papers describe HEV infection in goats and sheep. As the data pertaining to the presence of HEV virus in the milk of small ruminants in Europe are lacking, the aim of this paper was to examine a representative number of milk samples from these animals. The detection of HEV genome (HEV RNA) was performed using reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). HEV RNA was found in 2.8% of the examined samples. Positivity ranged from 101 to 103 genome equivalents/mL (GE/mL) with a median of 9.99 × 102 GE/mL. On the basis of these results, the milk of small ruminants could represent a source of HEV infection to consumers.
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29
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No evidence of HEV genotype 1 infections harming the male reproductive system. Virology 2020; 554:37-41. [PMID: 33360325 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Extrahepatic disorders are recorded with hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. The impact of HEV infection on the male reproductive system is a query. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed semen from infertile men and prospectively examined the semen from acute hepatitis E patients (AHE) for HEV markers. HEV RNA and HEV Ag were not detectable in the semen of infertile men nor the semen of AHE patients. Although HEV markers were detectable in the urine of patients infected with HEV-1, these markers were absent in their semen. There is no significant difference in the level of reproductive hormones between AHE patients and healthy controls. Semen analysis of AHE patients did not show a notable abnormality and there was no significant difference in the semen quality and sperm characteristics between AHE and healthy controls.
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30
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Surveillance Study of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Domestic and Wild Ruminants in Northwestern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10122351. [PMID: 33317114 PMCID: PMC7764585 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis in humans and represents an emerging public health concern worldwide. In developed countries, zoonotic transmission of HEV genotypes 3 and 4 is caused by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat of infected swine or wild boars, the main reservoirs of HEV. However, in the last few years, molecular and serological evidence seem to indicate that several other animal species may act as HEV host, including domestic and wild ruminants. In this study, serum and fecal specimens from sheep, goats, red deer, roe deer, chamois, and Alpine ibex collected in two northwestern Italian regions (Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta) were screened molecularly and serologically. With the exception of chamois, HEV antibodies were found both in the domestic and wild ruminant species investigated with the highest rates in sheep and goats. These findings demonstrate that wild also domestic ruminants may be implicated in the viral cycle transmission. Abstract In industrialized countries, increasing autochthonous infections of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes (Gts) 3 and 4, mainly through consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked pork meat. Although swine and wild boar are recognized as the main reservoir for Gt3 and Gt4, accumulating evidence indicates that other animal species, including domestic and wild ruminants, may harbor HEV. Herein, we screened molecularly and serologically serum and fecal samples from two domestic and four wild ruminant species collected in Valle d’Aosta and Piemonte regions (northwestern Italy. HEV antibodies were found in sheep (21.6%), goats (11.4%), red deer (2.6%), roe deer (3.1%), and in Alpine ibex (6.3%). Molecular screening was performed using different primer sets targeting highly conserved regions of hepeviruses and HEV RNA, although at low viral loads, was detected in four fecal specimens (3.0%, 4/134) collected from two HEV seropositive sheep herds. Taken together, the data obtained document the circulation of HEV in the geographical area assessed both in wild and domestic ruminants, but with the highest seroprevalence in sheep and goats. Consistently with results from other studies conducted in southern Italy, circulation of HEV among small domestic ruminants seems to occur more frequently than expected.
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31
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Sayed IM, Hammam ARA, Elfaruk MS, Alsaleem KA, Gaber MA, Ezzat AA, Salama EH, Elkhawaga AA, El-Mokhtar MA. Enhancement of the Molecular and Serological Assessment of Hepatitis E Virus in Milk Samples. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8081231. [PMID: 32806687 PMCID: PMC7465259 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8081231] [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: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in developing and developed countries. HEV was reported to be excreted in the milk of ruminants, raising the possibility of transmission of HEV infection through the ingestion of contaminated milk. Therefore, the detection of HEV markers in milk samples becomes pivotal. However, milk includes inhibitory components that affect HEV detection assays. Previously it was reported that dilution of milk matrix improves the performance of HEV molecular assay, however, the dilution of milk samples is not the best strategy especially when the contaminated milk sample has a low HEV load. Therefore, the objective of this study is to compare the effect of extraction procedures on the efficiency of HEV RNA detection in undiluted milk samples. In addition, we assessed the effect of the removal of milk components such as fats and casein on the performance of the molecular and serological assays of HEV. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and different milk matrices (such as whole milk, skim milk, and milk serum) were inoculated with different HEV inoculums and subjected to two different extraction procedures. Method A includes manual extraction using spin column-based extraction, while method B includes silica-based automated extraction. Method A was more sensitive than method B in the whole milk and skim milk matrices with a LoD95% of 300 IU/mL, and virus recovery yield of 47%. While the sensitivity and performance of method B were significantly improved using the milk serum matrix, with LoD95% of 96 IU/mL. Interestingly, retesting HEV positive milk samples using the high sensitivity assay based on method B extraction and milk serum matrix increased the HEV RNA detection rate to 2-fold. Additionally, the performance of HEV serological assays such as anti-HEV IgG and HEV Ag in the milk samples was improved after the removal of the fat globules from the milk matrix. In conclusion, HEV RNA assay is affected by the components of milk and the extraction procedure. Removal of inhibitory substances, such as fat and casein from the milk sample increased the performance of HEV molecular and serological assays which will be suitable for the low load HEV milk with no further dilutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M. Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt or (I.M.S.); (A.A.E.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ahmed R. A. Hammam
- Dairy and Food Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; (A.R.A.H.); (M.S.E.); (K.A.A.)
- Dairy Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Salem Elfaruk
- Dairy and Food Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; (A.R.A.H.); (M.S.E.); (K.A.A.)
- Medical Technology College, Nalut University, Nalut 00218, Libya
| | - Khalid A. Alsaleem
- Dairy and Food Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA; (A.R.A.H.); (M.S.E.); (K.A.A.)
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marwa A. Gaber
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt;
| | - Amgad A. Ezzat
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt;
| | - Eman H. Salama
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt;
| | - Amal A. Elkhawaga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt or (I.M.S.); (A.A.E.)
| | - Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt or (I.M.S.); (A.A.E.)
- Correspondence:
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