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Shun EHK, Situ J, Tsoi JYH, Wu S, Cai J, Lo KHY, Chew NFS, Li Z, Poon RWS, Teng JLL, Cheng VCC, Yuen KY, Sridhar S. Rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti) exposure in cats and dogs, Hong Kong. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2337671. [PMID: 38551320 PMCID: PMC11018080 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2337671] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) variants infecting humans belong to two species: Paslahepevirus balayani (bHEV) and Rocahepevirus ratti (rat hepatitis E virus; rHEV). R. ratti is a ubiquitous rodent pathogen that has recently been recognized to cause hepatitis in humans. Transmission routes of rHEV from rats to humans are currently unknown. In this study, we examined rHEV exposure in cats and dogs to determine if they are potential reservoirs of this emerging human pathogen. Virus-like particle-based IgG enzymatic immunoassays (EIAs) capable of differentiating rHEV & bHEV antibody profiles and rHEV-specific real-time RT-PCR assays were used for this purpose. The EIAs could detect bHEV and rHEV patient-derived IgG spiked in dog and cat sera. Sera from 751 companion dogs and 130 companion cats in Hong Kong were tested with these IgG enzymatic immunoassays (EIAs). Overall, 13/751 (1.7%) dogs and 5/130 (3.8%) cats were sero-reactive to HEV. 9/751 (1.2%) dogs and 2/130 (1.5%) cats tested positive for rHEV IgG, which was further confirmed by rHEV immunoblots. Most rHEV-seropositive animals were from areas in or adjacent to districts reporting human rHEV infection. Neither 881 companion animals nor 652 stray animals carried rHEV RNA in serum or rectal swabs. Therefore, we could not confirm a role for cats and dogs in transmitting rHEV to humans. Further work is required to understand the reasons for low-level seropositivity in these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estie Hon-Kiu Shun
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianwen Situ
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - James Yiu-Hung Tsoi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shusheng Wu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianpiao Cai
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kelvin Hon-Yin Lo
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nicholas Foo-Siong Chew
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rosana Wing-Shan Poon
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jade Lee-Lee Teng
- Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Health@InnoHK, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
| | - Siddharth Sridhar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, People’s Republic of China
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Di Bartolo I, De Sabato L, Ianiro G, Vaccari G, Dini FM, Ostanello F, Monini M. Exploring the Potential of Muridae as Sentinels for Human and Zoonotic Viruses. Viruses 2024; 16:1041. [PMID: 39066204 PMCID: PMC11281464 DOI: 10.3390/v16071041] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the transmission of viruses from wildlife to humans has raised significant public health concerns, exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Human activities play a substantial role in increasing the risk of zoonotic virus transmission from wildlife to humans. Rats and mice are prevalent in urban environments and may act as reservoirs for various pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of zoonotic viruses in wild rats and mice in both urban and rural areas, focusing on well-known zoonotic viruses such as betacoronavirus, hantavirus, arenavirus, kobuvirus, and monkeypox virus, along with other viruses occasionally detected in rats and mice, including rotavirus, norovirus, and astrovirus, which are known to infect humans at a high rate. A total of 128 animals were captured, including 70 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), 45 black rats (Rattus rattus), and 13 house mice (Mus musculus), and feces, lung, and liver were collected. Among brown rats, one fecal sample tested positive for astrovirus RNA. Nucleotide sequencing revealed high sequence similarity to both human and rat astrovirus, suggesting co-presence of these viruses in the feces. Murine kobuvirus (MuKV) was detected in fecal samples from both black (n = 7) and brown (n = 6) rats, primarily from urban areas, as confirmed by sequence analysis. These findings highlight the importance of surveillance and research to understand and mitigate the risks associated with the potential transmission of pathogens by rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.D.B.); (L.D.S.); (G.I.); (G.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Luca De Sabato
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.D.B.); (L.D.S.); (G.I.); (G.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Giovanni Ianiro
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.D.B.); (L.D.S.); (G.I.); (G.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Gabriele Vaccari
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.D.B.); (L.D.S.); (G.I.); (G.V.); (M.M.)
| | - Filippo Maria Dini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Fabio Ostanello
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Marina Monini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.D.B.); (L.D.S.); (G.I.); (G.V.); (M.M.)
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Santos-Silva S, Moraes DFDSD, López-López P, Paupério J, Queirós J, Rivero-Juarez A, Lux L, Ulrich RG, Gonçalves HMR, Van der Poel WHM, Nascimento MSJ, Mesquita JR. Detection of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in an Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) in Portugal. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:1803-1812. [PMID: 38243141 PMCID: PMC11147874 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10293-4] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Virus monitoring in small mammals is central to the design of epidemiological control strategies for rodent-borne zoonotic viruses. Synanthropic small mammals are versatile and may be potential carriers of several microbial agents. In the present work, a total of 330 fecal samples of small mammals were collected at two sites in the North of Portugal and screened for zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV, species Paslahepevirus balayani). Synanthropic small mammal samples (n = 40) were collected in a city park of Porto and belonged to the species Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) (n = 26) and to the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) (n = 14). Furthermore, additional samples were collected in the Northeast region of Portugal and included Algerian mouse (n = 48), greater white-toothed shrew (n = 47), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) (n = 43), southwestern water vole (Arvicola sapidus) (n = 52), Cabrera's vole (Microtus cabrerae) (n = 49) and Lusitanian pine vole (Microtus lusitanicus) (n = 51). A nested RT-PCR targeting a part of open reading frame (ORF) 2 region of the HEV genome was used followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. HEV RNA was detected in one fecal sample (0.3%; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.01-1.68) from a synanthropic Algerian mouse that was genotyped as HEV-3, subgenotype 3e. This is the first study reporting the detection of HEV-3 in a synanthropic rodent, the Algerian mouse. The identified HEV isolate is probably the outcome of either a spill-over infection from domestic pigs or wild boars, or the result of passive viral transit through the intestinal tract. This finding reinforces the importance in the surveillance of novel potential hosts for HEV with a particular emphasis on synanthropic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Santos-Silva
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Pedro López-López
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joana Paupério
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - João Queirós
- CIBIO-Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, 4169-007, Portugal
- EBM, Estação Biológica de Mértola, Mértola, 7750-329, Portugal
| | - António Rivero-Juarez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Lux
- University of Greifswald, Domstraße 11, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Helena M R Gonçalves
- REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Biosensor NTech - Nanotechnology Services, Avenida da Liberdade, 249, 1º Andar, Lda, Lisboa, 1250-143, 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
| | | | - 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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Panajotov J, Falkenhagen A, Gadicherla AK, Johne R. Molecularly generated rat hepatitis E virus strains from human and rat show efficient replication in a human hepatoma cell line. Virus Res 2024; 344:199364. [PMID: 38522562 PMCID: PMC10995862 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199364] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. Whereas HEV genotypes 1-4 of species Paslahepevirus balayani are commonly found in humans, infections with ratHEV (species Rocahepevirus ratti) were previously considered to be restricted to rats. However, several cases of human ratHEV infections have been described recently. To investigate the zoonotic potential of this virus, a genomic clone was constructed here based on sequence data of ratHEV strain pt2, originally identified in a human patient with acute hepatitis from Hongkong. For comparison, genomic clones of ratHEV strain R63 from a rat and of HEV genotype 3 strain 47832mc from a human patient were used. After transfection of in vitro-transcribed RNA from the genomic clones into the human hepatoma cell line HuH-7-Lunet BLR, virus replication was shown for all strains by increasing genome copy numbers in cell culture supernatants. These cells developed persistent virus infections, and virus particles in the culture supernatant as well as viral antigen within the cells were demonstrated. All three generated virus strains successfully infected fresh HuH-7-Lunet BLR cells. In contrast, the human hepatoma cell lines HuH-7 and PLC/PRF/5 could only be infected with the genotype 3 strain and to a lesser extent with ratHEV strain R63. Infection of the rat-derived hepatoma cell lines clone 9, MH1C1 and H-4-II-E did not result in efficient virus replication for either strain. The results indicate that ratHEV strains from rats and humans can infect human hepatoma cells. The replication efficiency is strongly dependent on the cell line and virus strain. The investigated rat hepatoma cell lines could not be infected and other rat-derived cells should be tested in future to identify permissive cell lines from rats. The developed genomic clone can represent a useful tool for future research investigating pathogenicity and zoonotic potential of ratHEV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashish K Gadicherla
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany; Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
| | - Reimar Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
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Marion O, Izopet J, Kamar N. Which Hepatitis E virus to worry about in our transplant patients. Transpl Infect Dis 2024; 26:e14285. [PMID: 38872417 DOI: 10.1111/tid.14285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Marion
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, Toulouse Rangueil University Hospital, INSERM UMR 1291, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Izopet
- Laboratory of Virology, Institut Fédératif de Biologie, Toulouse Rangueil University Hospital, INSERM UMR 1291, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Nassim Kamar
- Department of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, Toulouse Rangueil University Hospital, INSERM UMR 1291, Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases (Infinity), University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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Rios-Muñoz L, Gonzálvez M, Caballero-Gomez J, Castro-Scholten S, Casares-Jimenez M, Agulló-Ros I, Corona-Mata D, García-Bocanegra I, Lopez-Lopez P, Fajardo T, Mesquita JR, Risalde MA, Rivero-Juarez A, Rivero A. Detection of Rat Hepatitis E Virus in Pigs, Spain, 2023. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:823-826. [PMID: 38526410 PMCID: PMC10977822 DOI: 10.3201/eid3004.231629] [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] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
We identified rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA in farmed pigs from Spain. Our results indicate that pigs might be susceptible to rat HEV and could serve as viral intermediaries between rodents and humans. Europe should evaluate the prevalence of rat HEV in farmed pigs to assess the risk to public health.
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Wu H, Li B, Yu B, Hu L, Zhou L, Yin J, Lu Y. Genomic characterization of Rocahepevirus ratti hepatitis E virus genotype C1 in Yunnan province of China. Virus Res 2024; 341:199321. [PMID: 38242291 PMCID: PMC10831724 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199321] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
The Rocahepevirus ratti hepatitis E virus genotype C1 (HEV-C1) has been documented to infect humans. However, the understanding of HEV-C1 remains constrained. This study aims to determine the prevalence and genomic characteristics of HEV-C1 in small animals in Yunnan province of southwestern China. A total of 444 liver tissues were collected from animals covering the orders Rodentia, Soricomorpha, Scandentia and Erinaceomorpha in three regions in Yunnan. Then Paslahepevirus balayani and Rocahepevirus were examined using RT-qPCR. The detection rate of Rocahepevirus was 12.95 % (36/278) in animals of order Rodentia, with 14.77 % (35/237) in Rattus tanezumi and 33.33 % (1/3) in Niviventer fulvescens. No Paslahepevirus balayani was detected. Additionally, two full-length Rocahepevirus sequences (MSE-17 and LHK-54) and thirty-three partial ORF1 sequences were amplified and determined to be HEV-C1. MSE-17 and LHK-54 shared moderate nucleotide identity (78.9 %-80.3 %) with HEV-C1 isolated in rats and humans. The HEV-C1 isolated from Niviventer fulvescens demonstrated a 100 % nucleotide identity with that from Rattus tanezumi. The rat HEV-C1 sequences isolated in our study and other Asian HEV-C1 sequences were phylogenetically distant from those isolated in North America and Europe. Furthermore, the two full-length sequences isolated in our study had less amino acid substitutions in the motifs of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain (F204L and L238F), compared with other Asian sequences. In summary, HEV-C1 commonly spreads in rats in Yunnan province of China. Our findings suggest a spatially associated phylogeny, and potential cross-species transmission of HEV-C1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bingzhe Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bowen Yu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261000, Shandong, China
| | - Linjie Hu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lu Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiaxiang Yin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671003, China.
| | - Yihan Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Park K, Kim J, Noh J, Kim K, Yang E, Kim SG, Cho HK, Byun KS, Kim JH, Lee YS, Shim JO, Shin M, Kim WK, Song JW. First detection and characterization of hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti) from urban Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the Republic of Korea. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29401. [PMID: 38235603 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29401] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an emerging zoonotic pathogen, poses a significant public health concern worldwide. Recently, rat HEV (Rocahepevirus ratti genotype C1; HEV-C1) has been reported to cause zoonotic infections and hepatitis in humans. Human infections with HEV-C1 are considered to be underestimated worldwide due to limited knowledge of transmission routes, genome epidemiology, and the risk assessment of zoonosis associated with these viruses. A total of 186 wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) were collected from the Republic of Korea (ROK) between 2011 and 2021. The prevalence of HEV-C1 RNA was 8 of 180 (4.4%) by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We first reported three nearly whole-genome sequences of HEV-C1 newly acquired from urban rats in the ROK. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Korea-indigenous HEV-C1 formed an independent genetic group with those derived from R. norvegicus rats in other countries, indicating geographical and genetic diversity. Our findings provide critical insights into the molecular prevalence, genome epidemiology, and zoonotic potential of Rocahepevirus. This report raises awareness of the presence of Rocahepevirus-related hepatitis E among physicians in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungmin Park
- Department of Microbiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongwoo Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyoung Noh
- Department of Microbiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kijin Kim
- Centre for Infectious Disease Genomics and One Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eunyoung Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Gyu Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Kyung Cho
- Department of Microbiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Soo Byun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Sun Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ok Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minsoo Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Keun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Medical Research, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Won Song
- Department of Microbiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Chen Z, Li G, Situ J, Li Z, Guo S, Huang Y, Wu S, Tang Z, Wen G, Wang S, Fang M, Wang Y, Yu H, Sridhar S, Zheng Z, Xia N. Redeveloping antigen detection kits for the diagnosis of rat hepatitis E virus. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0071023. [PMID: 38038482 PMCID: PMC10729709 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00710-23] [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: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of Rocahepevirus ratti [species HEV ratti (r HEV)] as a causative agent of hepatitis E in humans presents a new potential threat to global public health. The R. ratti genotype 1 (r-1 HEV) variant only shares 50%-60% genomic identity with Paslahepevirus balayani [species HEV balayani (b HEV)] variants, which are the main causes of hepatitis E infection in humans. Here, we report antigen diagnoses for r-1 HEV and b HEV using an enzymatic immunoassay (EIA) method. We detected recombinant virus-like particles protein (HEV 239) of r HEV and b HEV using a collection of hepatitis E virus (HEV)-specific monoclonal antibodies. Two optimal candidates, the capture antibody P#1-H4 and the detection antibodies C145 (P#1-H4*/C145#) and C158 (P#1-H4*/C158#), were selected to detect antigen in infected rat samples and r-1 HEV- or b HEV-infected human clinical samples. The two candidates showed similar diagnostic efficacy to the Wantai HEV antigen kit in b HEV-infected clinical samples. Genomic divergence resulted in low diagnostic efficacy of the Wantai HEV antigen kit (0%, 0 of 10) for detecting r-1 HEV infection. Compared with the P#1-H4*/C145# candidate (80%, 8 of 10), the P#1-H4*/C158# candidate had excellent diagnostic efficacy in r-1 HEV-infected clinical samples (100%, 10 of 10). The two candidates bind to a discrete antigenic site that is highly conserved across r HEV and b HEV. P#1-H4*/C145# and P#1-H4*/C158# are efficacious candidate antibody combinations for rat HEV antigen detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Guanghui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jianwen Situ
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shaoqi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shusheng Wu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zimin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Guiping Wen
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine & School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Siling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Mujin Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yingbin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hai Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Siddharth Sridhar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zizheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Research Unit of Frontier Technology of Structural Vaccinology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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10
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Benavent S, Carlos S, Reina G. Rocahepevirus ratti as an Emerging Cause of Acute Hepatitis Worldwide. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2996. [PMID: 38138140 PMCID: PMC10745784 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122996] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a widespread human infection that causes mainly acute infection and can evolve to a chronic manifestation in immunocompromised individuals. In addition to the common strains of hepatitis E virus (HEV-A), known as Paslahepevirus balayani, pathogenic to humans, a genetically highly divergent rat origin hepevirus (RHEV) can cause hepatitis possessing a potential risk of cross-species infection and zoonotic transmission. Rocahepevirus ratti, formerly known as Orthohepevirus C, is a single-stranded RNA virus, recently reassigned to Rocahepevirus genus in the Hepeviridae family, including genotypes C1 and C2. RHEV primarily infects rats but has been identified as a rodent zoonotic virus capable of infecting humans through the consumption of contaminated food or water, causing both acute and chronic hepatitis cases in both animals and humans. This review compiles data concluding that 60% (295/489) of RHEV infections are found in Asia, being the continent with the highest zoonotic and transmission potential. Asia not only has the most animal cases but also 16 out of 21 human infections worldwide. Europe follows with 26% (128/489) of RHEV infections in animals, resulting in four human cases out of twenty-one globally. Phylogenetic analysis and genomic sequencing will be employed to gather global data, determine epidemiology, and assess geographical distribution. This information will enhance diagnostic accuracy, pathogenesis understanding, and help prevent cross-species transmission, particularly to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Benavent
- Microbiology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (G.R.)
| | - Silvia Carlos
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Reina
- Microbiology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (G.R.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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11
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Palombieri A, Di Profio F, Sarchese V, Fruci P, Suffredini E, Martella V, Veneri C, Bonanno Ferraro G, Mancini P, La Rosa G, Di Martino B. Surveillance for rat hepatitis E in wastewater networks, Italy. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0267523. [PMID: 37850788 PMCID: PMC10714833 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02675-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection constitutes a significant health problem worldwide. In recent years, in addition to the zoonotic HEV3 and HEV4, emerging highly divergent hepevirus of rat origin (rat HEV [RHEV]) has been associated with human acute and chronic hepatitis. As environmental surveillance can be a complementary tool to explore emerging viruses of human and rodent origin, we investigated the epidemiology and the genetic variability of RHEV targeting 14 wastewater treatment plants in an Italian geographic area considered a hot spot for HEV infection in humans. Our results revealed that RHEV is a significant component of the wastewater microbiota with viral RNA detected in 43.9% of the specimens tested, adding further evidence to the need to investigate more in depth the real burden of RHEV infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Palombieri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | - Federica Di Profio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sarchese
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | - Paola Fruci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, Teramo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Carolina Veneri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pamela Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Di Martino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, Teramo, Italy
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12
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Teles SA, Caetano KAA, Carneiro MADS, Villar LM, Stacciarini JM, Martins RMB. Hepatitis E Prevalence in Vulnerable Populations in Goiânia, Central Brazil. Viruses 2023; 15:2070. [PMID: 37896847 PMCID: PMC10612069 DOI: 10.3390/v15102070] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A transversal study was conducted among 472 vulnerable individuals (recyclable waste pickers, immigrants and refugees, homeless individuals, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transexual individuals) in Goiânia City, the capital of the State of Goiás, Brazil, to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. A total of 459 (97.2%) serum samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies using fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassays (Liaison® Murex Anti-HEV IgG and IgM assays, DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy). Positive samples were tested for the presence of HEV RNA by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. A seroprevalence of 0.87% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-2.22) was found for anti-HEV IgG. Furthermore, anti-HEV IgM was detected in only one individual (0.22%; 95% CI: 0.04-1.22), who was also negative for HEV RNA. These findings revealed that HEV infection is infrequent in vulnerable individuals in Central Brazil, with low seroprevalence of past and recent HEV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Livia Melo Villar
- Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21045-900, Brazil;
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13
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Zahmanova G, Takova K, Tonova V, Koynarski T, Lukov LL, Minkov I, Pishmisheva M, Kotsev S, Tsachev I, Baymakova M, Andonov AP. The Re-Emergence of Hepatitis E Virus in Europe and Vaccine Development. Viruses 2023; 15:1558. [PMID: 37515244 PMCID: PMC10383931 DOI: 10.3390/v15071558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis. Transmission of HEV mainly occurs via the fecal-oral route (ingesting contaminated water or food) or by contact with infected animals and their raw meat products. Some animals, such as pigs, wild boars, sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, rats, etc., are natural reservoirs of HEV, which places people in close contact with them at increased risk of HEV disease. Although hepatitis E is a self-limiting infection, it could also lead to severe illness, particularly among pregnant women, or chronic infection in immunocompromised people. A growing number of studies point out that HEV can be classified as a re-emerging virus in developed countries. Preventative efforts are needed to reduce the incidence of acute and chronic hepatitis E in non-endemic and endemic countries. There is a recombinant HEV vaccine, but it is approved for use and commercially available only in China and Pakistan. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate the necessity of applying a preventive vaccine and to create conditions for reducing the spread of HEV. This review emphasizes the hepatitis E virus and its importance for public health in Europe, the methods of virus transmission and treatment, and summarizes the latest studies on HEV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Plant Physiology and 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 Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Valeria Tonova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetoslav Koynarski
- Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Laura L Lukov
- Faculty of Sciences, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Laie, HI 96762, USA
| | - Ivan Minkov
- Department of Technology Transfer and IP Management, Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, 4108 Markovo, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Pishmisheva
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pazardzhik Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment, 4400 Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
| | - Stanislav Kotsev
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pazardzhik Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment, 4400 Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
| | - Ilia Tsachev
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Magdalena Baymakova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Anton P 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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