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Molini U, Franzo G, de Villiers L, van Zyl L, de Villiers M, Khaiseb S, Busch F, Knauf S, Dietze K, Eiden M. Serological survey on Hepatitis E virus in Namibian dogs, cats, horses, and donkeys. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1422001. [PMID: 39091395 PMCID: PMC11292797 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1422001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the seropositivity rate of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in domestic and working animals in Namibia, which included dogs, cats, horses, and donkeys. HEV poses a growing threat as a significant cause of human hepatitis globally and has several genotypes of varying zoonotic potential. As epidemiological data on the seroprevalence of HEV in Namibia is scarce, a serosurvey was conducted on archived serum samples of 374 dogs, 238 cats, 98 horses, and 60 donkeys collected between 2018 and 2022 from different regions, to assess the potential of these animals as sources of HEV infection. The findings revealed that 10.43% (n = 39/374) canine and 5.88% (n = 14/238) feline samples tested positive for HEV antibodies, whereas no seropositivity was detected in horses and donkeys. The study further examined the risk factors associated with HEV seropositivity, including animal sex, age, and geographical region, and noted a higher prevalence in dogs living in areas with intensive pig farming. Although there is no direct evidence indicating that these animals served as major reservoirs for HEV transmission to humans, the study underscores the importance of preventive measures to minimize contact exposure with pets considering the potential zoonotic risk, especially for susceptible risk groups. Further research is needed to explore the zoonotic potential of domestic animals and the epidemiological links between animal and human HEV transmissions in Namibia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Molini
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
- Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Giovanni Franzo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Lourens de Villiers
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Leandra van Zyl
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Mari de Villiers
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | - Frank Busch
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sascha Knauf
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany
- One Health/International Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Klaas Dietze
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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López-López P, Risalde MA, Casares-Jiménez M, Caballero-Gómez J, Martín-Gómez A, Martínez-Blasco J, Agulló-Ros I, Frías M, García-Bocanegra I, Gómez-Villamandos JC, Rivero A, Rivero-Juárez A. Prevalence of Paslahepevirus balayani in commercial swine food products from Spain. One Health 2024; 18:100690. [PMID: 39010960 PMCID: PMC11247292 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Paslahepevirus balayani (formerly known as hepatitis E virus) is an emerging cause of foodborne disease in Europe, transmitted mainly by the consumption of raw or undercooked pork. Since little is known about the presence of the virus in several pork products that are eaten uncooked, our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of Paslahepevirus balayani in groups of commercial pork products intended for human consumption subjected to different processing techniques. A total of 1265 samples of pork products from Spain were divided into four groups and tested for the presence of Paslahepevirus balayani RNA: unprocessed pig and wild boar meat frozen at -20 °C (n = 389), dry-cured pork products (n = 391), dry-cured and salted pork products (n = 219), and boiled products (n = 266) (none of these products contained pork liver). Five samples were positive for Paslahepevirus balayani RNA (overall prevalence: 0.4%; 95% CI: 0.17% - 0.92%). All positive samples were from unprocessed meat stored at -20 °C, with a prevalence in this group of 1.3% (95% CI: 0.42-3.44); two samples came from pigs (1.1%; 95% CI: 0.13-3.81) and three from wild boar (1.5%; 95% CI: 0.31-4.28). None of the pork samples in the other groups was positive. In conclusion, Paslahepevirus balayani was found in unprocessed swine products form Spain, but not in processed products intended to be consumed undercooked, demonstrating that transmission of this zoonotic virus by eating these pork products should be more seriously considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro López-López
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María A. Risalde
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - María Casares-Jiménez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Andrés Martín-Gómez
- Departamento de Innovación, Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches (COVAP), Pozoblanco, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Martínez-Blasco
- Departamento de Innovación, Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches (COVAP), Pozoblanco, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Irene Agulló-Ros
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mario Frías
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - José C. Gómez-Villamandos
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juárez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Ferri G, Giantomassi G, Piccinini A, Olivastri A, Vergara A. Hepatitis E Virus RNA Detection from Hunted Wild Boars in Central Italy: an Epidemiological Investigation. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2023; 15:158-166. [PMID: 37029274 PMCID: PMC10261184 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-023-09554-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Every year, foodborne pathogens, including the hepatitis E virus (HEV), cause thousands of infections in different continents. Final consumers become infected through the ingestion of contaminated animal origin foodstuffs. Generally, in industrialized countries, HEV genotype 3 is involved in sporadic outbreaks. Infections have been described, in Europe and Japan as consequence of pork products and contaminated wild boar's primary or processed products (liver and muscle tissues) consumption. In Central Italy, hunting activities are largely practiced. In these small and rural communities, game meat and liver are ingested by hunters' families or at local and traditional restaurants. Therefore, these food chains can be considered critical HEV reservoirs. In this study, 506 liver and diaphragm tissues were collected from hunted wild boars in the Southern Marche region (Central Italy) and were screened for HEV RNA detection. From the 10.87% of liver and 2.76% of muscle samples, HEV3 subtype c was discovered. The observed prevalence values resulted in line with previous investigations performed in other Central Italian regions, but higher than Northern ones (3.7% and 1.9% from liver tissue). Therefore, the obtained epidemiological data highlighted the wide occurrence of HEV RNA circulation in a low-investigated area. Basing on results, a One-health approach was adopted due to the sanitary relevance of this Public Health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Ferri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Specialization School in Food Inspection "G. Tiecco", University of Teramo, Piano d'Accio, Strada Porvinciale 18, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
| | | | - Andrea Piccinini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Specialization School in Food Inspection "G. Tiecco", University of Teramo, Piano d'Accio, Strada Porvinciale 18, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Vergara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Specialization School in Food Inspection "G. Tiecco", University of Teramo, Piano d'Accio, Strada Porvinciale 18, 64100, Teramo, Italy
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Lopez-Lopez P, Frias M, Perez-Jimenez AB, Freyre-Carrillo C, Pineda JA, Fuentes A, Alados JC, Ramirez-Arellano E, Viciana I, Corona-Mata D, Caballero-Gomez J, Garcia-Bocanegra I, Risalde MA, Rivero-Juarez A, Rivero A. Temporal changes in the genotypes of Paslahepevirus balayani in southern Spain and their possible link with changes in pig trade imports. One Health 2023; 16:100539. [PMID: 37363253 PMCID: PMC10288091 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Paslahepevirus balayani (HEV) is an endemic zoonotic disease ranked as a major cause of acute hepatitis in Europe. Most infections occurring in Europe are due to the endemic several subtypes of genotype 3, through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork, observing a genotype geographical distribution pattern among countries Because of global changes in the pig and pork trading markets, subtype distribution might vary. We aimed to evaluate the temporal distribution of HEV genotypes in patients from southern Spain with acute hepatitis to determine whether these changes were related to the pig import trade during the study period between 2018 and 2022. Methods Prospective longitudinal study including patients with acute hepatitis from southern Spain between 2018 and 2022. HEV RNA and antibodies was tested in all patients. In patients with detectable HEV RNA, genotype was obtained. To determine the number of imported pigs and their origins, we checked the official data from the Spanish statistics on international trade of Spanish Minister of Industry during by country of origin during the same study period. Results A total of 659 patients with acute hepatitis were included in the study. Among them, 162 (24.5%) had at least one marker (IgM or RNA) of acute HEV infection. Among the 71 patients with detectable viral RNA, genotypes could be obtained for 58 (81.6%). The most prevalent HEV genotype was 3f (n = 48; 78.6%), showing a decreasing prevalence of over time, from 100% in 2018 to 70.6% in 2022. Since 2021, the emergence of other genotypes has been determined. A significant increase in the number of animals imported was observed since the beginning of the study. Denmark experienced a significant rise, from 0.03% in 2018 of total imports to 10.4% in 2022. Conclusions HEV molecular diversity is changing in Spain, could be linked to changes in fattening pig import origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Lopez-Lopez
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Frias
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Perez-Jimenez
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
- Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Juan A. Pineda
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Hospital Universitario de Valme, Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Fuentes
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigacion Biosanitaria Ibs. Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Alados
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario de Jerez, Cádiz, Spain
- Insituto de investigación e innovación biomédica de Cadiz (INIBICA), Spain
| | - Encarnación Ramirez-Arellano
- Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine Unit, Virgen Macarena Univ. Hospital, and Department of Medicine, University of Sevilla/Biomedicine Institute of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Isabel Viciana
- Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
| | - Diana Corona-Mata
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gomez
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Sanidad Animal, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio Garcia-Bocanegra
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Sanidad Animal, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - María A. Risalde
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Sanidad Animal, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Lopez-Lopez P, Frias M, Perez-Jimenez AB, Freyre-Carrillo C, Pineda JA, Aguilera A, Fuentes A, Alados JC, Reina G, Ramirez-Arellano E, Viciana I, Mesquita J, Caballero-Gomez J, Rivero-Juarez A, Rivero A. Optimization of the molecular diagnosis of the acute hepatitis E virus infection. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1325-1332. [PMID: 36965117 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the diagnostic value of the combination of two broad-range PCR assays targeting two different and conserved regions of the viral genome for the diagnosis of acute Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Patients with acute hepatitis were prospectively recruited. In all, HEV-IgM antibodies were tested together with evaluation of HEV viraemia by two PCR assays (ORF3 and ORF1). The number of individuals exhibiting negative IgM antibody results but carrying viral RNA was calculated by each PCR assay. Four-hundred and seventy individuals were included, of whom 145 (30.8%) were diagnosed as having acute HEV. Of them, 122 (84.1%) exhibited HEV-IgM antibodies, and 81 (55.8%) had detectable viral RNA for at least one PCR. Using the ORF3 molecular assay, 70 (48.3%) individuals were identified with HEV infection. When the ORF1 molecular assay was applied, 49 (33.8%) individuals were identified. The ORF3 assay detected viral RNA in 32 patients not detected by the ORF1 assay. In contrast, the ORF1 assay could amplify viral RNA in 11 patients who were not detected by the ORF3 assay. The parallel use of two broad-range PCR assays significantly increased the performance of the molecular diagnosis of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Lopez-Lopez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Frias
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Belén Perez-Jimenez
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Juan A Pineda
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. Hospital Universitario de Valme, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Aguilera
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario & University of Santiago de Compostela (USC)/IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana Fuentes
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Instituto de Investigacion Biosanitaria Ibs., Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Alados
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario de Jerez, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Gabriel Reina
- Microbiology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, ISTUN, Institute of Tropical Health, Universidad de Navarra, IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Encarnación Ramirez-Arellano
- Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Virgen Macarena Univ. Hospital, University of Sevilla/Biomedicine Institute of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Isabel Viciana
- Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
| | - Joao 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
| | - Javier Caballero-Gomez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Survey of Zoonotic Diarrheagenic Protist and Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar ( Sus scrofa) of Portugal. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020256. [PMID: 36670797 PMCID: PMC9854796 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Enteropathogenic parasites and viruses have been frequently reported in swine and can infect a wide range of mammals, including humans. Among the wide variety of parasites infecting swine, diarrhoeagenic protists are among those that cause significant morbidity. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has also been reported both in domestic pigs and wild boar and is known to have an important public health significance. These agents share the fecal−oral transmission route, but data on their fecal shedding and circulation pathways are still lacking or incomplete. Hence, the aim of the present study was to characterize the presence of microeukaryotes and HEV in the wild boar of Portugal. Wild boar stool samples (n = 144) were obtained during the official hunting seasons (October to February) in 2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2021/2022 and tested for Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli, Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and HEV by molecular assays, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. We have detected Cryptosporidium scrofarum (1.4%, 95% CI: 0.2−4.9), B. coli (14.6%, 95% CI: 9.2−21.4), Blastocystis ST5 (29.2%, 95% CI: 21.9−37.2) and HEV genotype 3 (2.8%, 95% CI: 0.7−6.9; subgenotypes 3e and 3m). Co-infections were observed in thirteen animals where two were positive for both HEV and B. coli, one was positive for both C. scrofarum and Blastocystis ST5, and ten were positive for both B. coli and Blastocystis ST5. Giardia duodenalis and E. bieneusi were not detected in the surveyed wild boar population. As far as we know, this is the first report describing protist infections by Cryptosporidium spp., B. coli, and Blastocystis sp., as well as the first identification of the emerging HEV genotype 3m in wild boar of Portugal. The present work shows that potentially zoonotic protozoa and HEV are circulating in wild boar populations in Portugal. Awareness and epidemic-surveillance network implementation measures targeting wild boar are needed to prevent the spread of these pathogenic agents to humans.
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Wu JY, Meng XX, Wei YR, Bolati H, Lau EHY, Yang XY. Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Feral and Farmed Wild Boars in Xinjiang, Northwest China. Viruses 2022; 15:78. [PMID: 36680118 PMCID: PMC9867238 DOI: 10.3390/v15010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes infections in humans and a wide range of animal hosts. Wild boar is an important natural reservoir of HEV genotypes 3−6 (HEV-3−HEV-6), but comparative analysis of HEV infections in both feral and farmed wild boars remains limited. In this study, samples from 599 wild boars were collected during 2017−2020, including 121 feral wild boars (collected 121 fecal, 121 serum, and 89 liver samples) and 478 farmed wild boars (collected 478 fecal and 478 serum samples). The presence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected by the HEV-IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. HEV RNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), targeting the partial ORF1 genes from fecal and liver samples, and the obtained genes were further genotyped by phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that 76.2% (95% CI 72.1−79.9) of farmed wild boars tested anti-HEV IgG seropositive, higher than that in feral wild boars (42.1%, 95% CI 33.2−51.5, p < 0.001). HEV seropositivity increased with age. Wild boar HEV infection presented a significant geographical difference (p < 0.001), but not between sex (p = 0.656) and age (p = 0.347). HEV RNA in fecal samples was detected in 13 (2.2%, 95% CI 1.2−3.7) out of 599 wild boars: 0.8% (95% CI 0.0−4.5, 1/121) of feral wild boars and 2.5% (95% CI 1.3−4.3, 12/478) of farmed wild boars. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all these viruses belonged to genotype HEV-4, and further grouped into sub-genotypes HEV-4a, HEV-4d, and HEV-4h, of which HEV-4a was first discovered in the wild boar populations in China. Our results suggested that farms could be a setting for amplification of HEV. The risk of HEV zoonotic transmission via rearing and consumption of farmed wild boars should be further assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Yong Wu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830013, China
- School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830016, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Meng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830013, China
| | - Yu-Rong Wei
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830013, China
| | - Hongduzi Bolati
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830013, China
| | - Eric H. Y. Lau
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xue-Yun Yang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Animal Infectious Diseases, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi 830013, China
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Wang K, Liu L, Wang J, Sun X, Han Q, Zhou C, Xu X, Wang J. Quantification of hepatitis E virus in raw pork livers using droplet digital RT-PCR. Food Microbiol 2022; 109:104114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2022.104114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Broadly Reactive Real-Time RT-PCR Assay for the Detection of Hepatitis E Virus and Simultaneous Genotyping by Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Analysis. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0191221. [PMID: 35138152 PMCID: PMC8826742 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01912-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a global public health concern. Although HEV infection is usually asymptomatic and self-limiting, extrahepatic manifestations and chronic infections in immunocompromised patients have been described. HEV strains infecting humans have been classified into four main genotypes. In this study we have developed and validated a novel sensitive real-time RT-PCR assay for the detection of all four HEV genotypes. Simultaneous discrimination of genotypes 1, 2, and 4 from genotype 3 by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was possible. In all, 201 serum samples from cases and carriers previously tested for HEV by nested RT-PCR were analyzed. Twenty-seven HEV-positive samples could not be typed by the nested RT-PCR and nucleotide sequencing, but were newly typed by SNP analysis. As polymorphisms were present at the primer or probe binding site, we adopted a degenerate primer and mixed probes. When a mixed probe was added, the fluorescence intensity increased, facilitating genotype determination. IMPORTANCE The distribution of HEV-3 and HEV-4 has been changing. HEV-4, which had been predominantly found in Asia, is now being detected in other parts of the world, and there are now reports of chronic infections. Additionally, neurological disorders have frequently been reported in patients with acute or chronic HEV infections. HEV-4 has also been shown to lead to a higher severity in terms of acute hepatitis than does HEV-3. Early typing can provide useful information regarding the route of infection and for tailoring treatment to the expected course of the disease. The present method afforded a good detection rate even when polymorphisms were present within the target region for viral gene detection. We believe that this method can be applied to the analysis of mutation-prone viral genes in the future.
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MENDOZA MV, YONEMITSU K, ISHIJIMA K, KURODA Y, TATEMOTO K, INOUE Y, SHIMODA H, KUWATA R, TAKANO A, SUZUKI K, MAEDA K. Nationwide survey of hepatitis E virus infection among wildlife in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:992-1000. [PMID: 35675975 PMCID: PMC9353082 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In Japan, hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes hepatitis in humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, including game meat. In the present study, nationwide surveillance of HEV
infection among a total of 5,557 wild animals, including 15 species, was conducted in Japan. The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in wild boar was 12.4%, with higher positive rates in big
boars (over 50 kg, 18.4%) than in small individuals (less than 30 kg, 5.3%). Furthermore, HEV RNA was more frequently detected in piglets than in older boars. Interestingly, the detection of
HEV among wildlife by ELISA and RT-PCR suggested that HEV infection in Sika deer was a very rare event, and that there was no HEV infection among wild animals except for wild boar, Sika deer
and Japanese monkeys. In conclusion, wild boar, especially piglets, are at high risk of HEV infection, while other wild animals showed less risk or no risk of HEV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenzo YONEMITSU
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Keita ISHIJIMA
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Yudai KURODA
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
| | - Kango TATEMOTO
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University
| | - Yusuke INOUE
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University
| | | | - Ryusei KUWATA
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science
| | - Ai TAKANO
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University
| | | | - Ken MAEDA
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University
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11
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Moraes DF, Lopez-Lopez P, Palmeira JD, Torres RT, Rivero-Juarez A, Dutra V, Nascimento M, Mesquita JR. Screening for hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama), Portugal, 2018-2020. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:2764-2768. [PMID: 34913605 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14427] [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: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is the most prevalent HEV genotype in Europe causing mostly asymptomatic infections in humans, but can also sporadically cause severe acute hepatitis, chronic liver disease, chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised patients and extra-hepatic manifestations. Although much is today known about the swine reservoir, no information is available on the occurrence of HEV from widely distributed deer species in Portugal. Here, we investigated the presence and characterized HEV in free-living deer in Portugal by screening stools from red deer (Cervus elaphus) (n = 95) and fallow deer (Dama dama) (n = 35) for HEV by a broad-spectrum nested RT-PCR, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Two red deer females, sampled in central Portugal, showed to be shedding HEV (2.1%; 95% confidence interval: 0.58-7.35). Sequencing and genetic characterization showed that these two deer HEV sequences were 98.96% identical to each other, being both of HEV genotype 3 subgenotype 3e. The increasing numbers and distribution of deer in Portugal and the zoonotic features of the circulating HEV genotype 3 subgenotype 3e highlights the importance of continued surveillance directed to food-borne diseases, especially those involving wild animals and deer in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- DFdSD Moraes
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Montana, Cuiabá, Brazil.,State Department for the Environment of Mato Grosso (SEMA), Cuiabá, Brazil.,Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - P Lopez-Lopez
- 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
| | - J D Palmeira
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - R T Torres
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A 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
| | - V Dutra
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Montana, Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - Msj Nascimento
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - J R Mesquita
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Cell Culture Isolation and Whole Genome Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus Strains from Wild Boars in Germany. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112302. [PMID: 34835427 PMCID: PMC8624179 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. The HEV genotype 3 can be zoonotically transmitted from animals to humans, with wild boars representing an important reservoir species. Cell culture isolation of HEV is generally difficult and mainly described for human isolates so far. Here, five sera and five liver samples from HEV-RNA-positive wild boar samples were inoculated onto PLC/PRF/5 cells, incubated for 3 months and thereafter passaged for additional 6 weeks. As demonstrated by RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence and immune electron microscopy, virus was successfully isolated from two liver samples, which originally contained high HEV genome copy numbers. Both isolates showed slower growth than the culture-adapted HEV strain 47832c. In contrast to this strain, the isolated strains had no insertions in their hypervariable genome region. Next generation sequencing using an HEV sequence-enriched library enabled full genome sequencing. Strain Wb108/17 belongs to subtype 3f and strain Wb257/17 to a tentative novel subtype recently described in Italian wild boars. The results indicate that HEV can be successfully isolated in cell culture from wild boar samples containing high HEV genome copy numbers. The isolates may be used further to study the zoonotic potential of wild boar-derived HEV subtypes.
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