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Bennett C, Coughlan S, Hunt K, Butler F, Fanning S, Ryan E, De Gascun C, O'Gorman J. Detection of hepatitis E RNA in pork products at point of retail in Ireland - Are consumers at risk? Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 410:110492. [PMID: 37988969 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E (HEV), a zoonotic virus, is the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis in Europe. The presence of HEV in domestic pigs can result in infections in humans through consumption of pork products which are undercooked or where processing methods are insufficient to inactivate the virus. In Ireland, pork accounts for 34 % of all meat consumption (CSO, 2022) and the prevalence of HEV in products at point of retail has not previously been characterised. A sampling strategy was designed in which high pork content sausages, fresh pork liver and raw fermented sausages were systematically purchased from three types of retailers between May 2018 and March 2019. In total, 200 pork products were tested using a lysing agent to release the HEV from the product for detection. RT-PCR for HEV was performed on samples with an extraction efficiency >1 % (n = 188/200) (94 %). Low level HEV RNA was detected in 9/188 (4.8 %) pork products tested. The highest incidence of HEV RNA was in pork liver where 6/25 (24 %) samples were positive. The concentration of HEV ranged from 0.02 - to 9.4 genome copies/g of pork. Based on these data an exposure assessment was performed which found that if consumers followed advice from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to achieve core temperatures of 70 °C or higher when cooking, the risk was likely to be negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Bennett
- UCD-National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Suzie Coughlan
- UCD-National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kevin Hunt
- UCD-School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Francis Butler
- UCD-School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Séamus Fanning
- UCD-Centre for Food Safety, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Eoin Ryan
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Department Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM), Backweston, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Cillian De Gascun
- UCD-National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Joanne O'Gorman
- UCD-National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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2
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Evaluation of Non-Invasive Sampling Methods for Detection of Hepatitis E Virus Infected Pigs in Pens. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020500. [PMID: 36838465 PMCID: PMC9962119 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020500] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pigs are a reservoir of hepatitis E virus (HEV), which causes hepatitis in humans. To study the epidemiology of HEV in pig farms, sampling methods are currently used that cause discomfort to pigs, such as rectal sampling. In line with the 3Rs principle, we aimed to evaluate non-invasive methods to detect pens with HEV-shedding pigs. Twenty-eight pens of one farm were sampled cross-sectionally. Individual rectal swabs (IRS) were collected to determine prevalence within pens. Four pen-level samples were compared: a pool of IRS per pen (P), boot socks (BS), oral fluid (OF) and pooled faecal droppings (FD). Each sample was tested by RT-PCR and the sensitivity and specificity of each method was determined by Bayesian latent class analysis. According to IRS, 19/28 pens were HEV positive. BS had a sensitivity of 95% and detected HEV in pens with 10% of pigs shedding; however, specificity was below 30%. FD were comparably accurate to P, with a sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 86%, respectively. BS sampling is thus advised to detect early shedding of HEV or pen contamination, and FD to determine the duration of shedding. This study demonstrates that non-invasive sampling can replace rectal swabs in research on HEV in pigs.
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Cross-Species Transmission of Rabbit Hepatitis E Virus to Pigs and Evaluation of the Protection of a Virus-like Particle Vaccine against Rabbit Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Pigs. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071053. [PMID: 35891218 PMCID: PMC9320745 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the cross-species transmission of rabbit hepatitis E virus (rb HEV) to pigs and evaluated the cross-protection of a swine (sw) HEV-3 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine against rb HEV infection in pigs. Twelve 4-week-old conventional pigs were divided into negative control (n = 3), positive control (rb HEV-infected, n = 4), and vaccinated (vaccinated and rb HEV-challenged, n = 5) groups. The vaccine was administered at weeks 0 and 2, and viral challenge was conducted at week 4. Serum HEV RNA, anti-HEV antibody, cytokine, and liver enzyme levels were determined. Histopathological lesions were examined in abdominal organs. Viral RNA was detected and increased anti-HEV antibody and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were observed in positive control pigs; liver fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria of the small intestine and shortened small intestine villi were also observed. In vaccinated pigs, anti-HEV antibody and Th1 cytokine level elevations were observed after the second vaccination; viral RNA was not detected, and ALT level elevations were not observed. The results verified the cross-species transmission of rb HEV to pigs and cross-protection of the sw HEV-3 VLP vaccine against rb HEV infection in pigs. This vaccine may be used for cross-protection against HEV infection in other species.
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García N, Hernández M, Gutierrez-Boada M, Valero A, Navarro A, Muñoz-Chimeno M, Fernández-Manzano A, Escobar FM, Martínez I, Bárcena C, González S, Avellón A, Eiros JM, Fongaro G, Domínguez L, Goyache J, Rodríguez-Lázaro D. Occurrence of Hepatitis E Virus in Pigs and Pork Cuts and Organs at the Time of Slaughter, Spain, 2017. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:2990. [PMID: 32047480 PMCID: PMC6997137 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic hepatitis E, mainly caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype (gt) 3, is a foodborne disease that has emerged in Europe in recent decades. The main animal reservoir for genotype 3 is domestic pigs. Pig liver and liver derivates are considered the major risk products, and studies focused on the presence of HEV in pig muscles are scarce. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of HEV in different organs and tissues of 45 apparently healthy pigs from nine Spanish slaughterhouses (50% national production) that could enter into the food supply chain. Anti-HEV antibodies were evaluated in serum by an ELISA test. Ten samples from each animal were analyzed for the presence of HEV RNA by reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The overall seroprevalence obtained was 73.3% (33/45). From the 450 samples analyzed, a total of 26 RT-qPCR positive samples were identified in the liver (7/45), feces (6/45), kidney (5/45), heart (4/45), serum (3/45), and diaphragm (1/45). This is the first report on detection of HEV RNA in kidney and heart samples of naturally infected pigs. HEV RNA detection was negative for rib, bacon, lean ham, and loin samples. These findings indicate that pig meat could be considered as a low risk material for foodborne HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea García
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Hernández
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Maialen Gutierrez-Boada
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
| | - Antonio Valero
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alejandro Navarro
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Milagros Muñoz-Chimeno
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Hepatitis Víricas, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Franco Matías Escobar
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Irene Martínez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Bárcena
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio González
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Avellón
- Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Hepatitis Víricas, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose M. Eiros
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Gislaine Fongaro
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Lucas Domínguez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Goyache
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Rodríguez-Lázaro
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Universidad de Burgos, Burgos, Spain
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Mejido DCP, de Oliveira JM, Gaspar AMC, Gardinali NR, Bottino FDO, de Carvalho LG, Lopes dos Santos DR, Kevorkian YB, Xavier LL, Moran J, Pelajo-Machado M, Marchevsky RS, Pinto MA. Evidences of HEV genotype 3 persistence and reactivity in liver parenchyma from experimentally infected cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218472. [PMID: 31211801 PMCID: PMC6581283 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen, responsible for sporadic cases of acute hepatitis E worldwide. Primate models have proven to be an essential tool for the study of HEV pathogenesis. Here we describe the outcomes of HEV infection in Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus) inoculated experimentally with genotype 3. Eight adult cynomolgus macaques were inoculated intravenously with HEV-3 viral particles isolated from swine and human samples. Liver, spleen, duodenum, gallbladder and bile were sequential assessed up to the end-point of this study, 67 days post-inoculation (dpi). Our previously published findings showed that biochemical parameters return gradually to baseline levels at 55 dpi, whereas anti-HEV IgM and HEV RNA become undetectable in the serum and feces of all animals, indicating a non-viremic phase of recovery. Nevertheless, at a later stage during convalescence (67 dpi), the presence of HEV-3 RNA and antigen persist in central organs, even after peripheral viral clearance. Our results show that two cynomolgus inoculated with swine HEV-3 (animals I3 and O1) presented persistence of HEV RNA low titers in liver, gallbladder and bile. At this same stage of infection, HEV antigen (HEV Ag) could be detected in all infected animals, predominantly in non-reactive Kupffer cells (CD68+iNOS-) and sinusoidal lining cells. Simultaneously, CD4+, CD3+CD4+, and CD3+CD8+ immune cells were identified in hepatic sinusoids and small inflammatory clusters of lobular mononuclear cells, at the end-point of this study. Inability of HEV clearance in humans can result in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, with subsequent liver failure requiring transplantation. The results of our study support the persistence of HEV-3 during convalescence at 67 dpi, with active immune response in NHP. We alert to the inherent risk of viral transmission through liver transplantation, even in the absence of clinical and biochemical signs of acute infection. Thus, besides checking conventional serological markers of HEV infection, we strongly recommend HEV-3 RNA and antigen detection in liver explants as public health measure to prevent donor-recipient transmission and spread of hepatitis E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Chaves Pereira Mejido
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Jaqueline Mendes de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Ana Maria Coimbra Gaspar
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Noemi Rovaris Gardinali
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Fernanda de Oliveira Bottino
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Debora Regina Lopes dos Santos
- Departament of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Federal Rural University of Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Yohan Brito Kevorkian
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Leandro Layter Xavier
- Laboratory of Morphometry, Institute of Biology, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Julio Moran
- Laboratory of Pathology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Renato Sergio Marchevsky
- Laboratory of Control of Neurovirulence, Bio-Manguinhos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Alves Pinto
- Laboratory of Technological Development in Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- * E-mail:
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Dähnert L, Eiden M, Schlosser J, Fast C, Schröder C, Lange E, Gröner A, Schäfer W, Groschup MH. High sensitivity of domestic pigs to intravenous infection with HEV. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:381. [PMID: 30514313 PMCID: PMC6278151 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1713-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one major cause of acute clinical hepatitis among humans throughout the world. In industrialized countries an increasing number of autochthonous HEV infections have been identified over the last years triggered by food borne as well as – to a much lower degree – by human to human transmission via blood transfusion. Pigs have been recognised as main reservoir for HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3), and zoonotic transmission to humans through undercooked/raw meat is reported repeatedly. The minimal infectious dose of HEV-3 for pigs is so far unknown. Results The minimum infectious dose of HEV-3 in a pig infection model was determined by intravenous inoculation of pigs with a dilution series of a liver homogenate of a HEV infected wild boar. Seroconversion, virus replication and shedding were determined by analysis of blood and faeces samples, collected over a maximum period of 91 days. A dose dependent incubation period was observed in faecal shedding of viruses employing a specific and sensitive PCR method. Faecal viral shedding and seroconversion was detected in animals inoculated with dilutions of up to 10− 7. This correlates with an intravenously (i.v.) administered infectious dose of only 6.5 copies in 2 ml (corresponding to 24 IU HEV RNA/ml). Furthermore the first detectable shedding of HEV RNA in faeces is clearly dose dependent. Unexpectedly one group infected with a 10− 4 dilution exhibited prolonged virus shedding for more than 60 days suggesting a persistent infection. Conclusion The results indicate that pigs are highly susceptible to i.v. infection with HEV and that the swine model represents the most sensitive infectivity assay for HEV so far. Considering a minimum infectious dose of 24 IU RNA/ml our findings highlights the potential risk of HEV transmission via blood and blood products. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1713-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dähnert
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Josephine Schlosser
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Fast
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Charlotte Schröder
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elke Lange
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Albrecht Gröner
- PathoGuard Consult, Fasanenweg 6, 64342, Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany
| | - Wolfram Schäfer
- CSL Behring Biotherapies for Life™, P.O. Box 1230, 35002, Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany.
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Liu T, Xiao P, Li R, She R, Tian J, Wang J, Mao J, Yin J, Shi R. Increased Mast Cell Activation in Mongolian Gerbils Infected by Hepatitis E Virus. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2226. [PMID: 30333798 PMCID: PMC6175998 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, mechanism study of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has attracted an increasing attention because of the growing rate of the acute hepatitis caused by the virus over the world. As an important initiate in the inflammation, mast cells (MCs) play a critical role in maintaining a healthy physiology. However, the function of the MCs in the acute hepatitis caused by HEV is still unclear. In the present study, mongolian gerbils infected by HEV were used as an animal model to evaluate the role of MCs in the HEV infection. The positive ELISA and RT-PCR results showed the gerbils was successfully infected with HEV. The number of mast cell in the liver and the small intestine in the infected animals were growing higher significantly than the control group. In addition, higher expression of the tryptase and 5-HT in the liver and the intestine detected by immunohistochemical method and western blot also indicate the activation of MCs in the infection. These results suggest that MCs play an important role in the hepatitis E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlong Liu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
| | - Ruiwen Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Dingzhou, China
| | - Ruiping She
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jijing Tian
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyuan Wang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Mao
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Yin
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruihan Shi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Risalde MA, Rivero-Juárez A, Romero-Palomo F, Frías M, López-López P, Cano-Terriza D, García-Bocanegra I, Jiménez-Ruíz S, Camacho Á, Machuca I, Gomez-Villamandos JC, Rivero A. Persistence of hepatitis E virus in the liver of non-viremic naturally infected wild boar. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186858. [PMID: 29117209 PMCID: PMC5678868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with pigs and wild boar serving as reservoirs for human infection through direct contact with infected animals or the consumption of raw or undercooked pork products. The liver is considered the main target site of HEV replication in swine and an important organ in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to characterize the target liver cells for HEV entry in naturally infected wild boar and to evaluate the type and severity of the pathological changes in order to reach a better understanding of the hepatic pathogenic mechanisms involved in hepatitis E. In total, 58 livers from hunted wild boar were histopathologically evaluated. The presence of specific HEV antibodies in serum was determined by indirect ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was used for the detection of HEV antigen and Real time RT-PCR to detect HEV RNA in liver and serum. HEV seroprevalence in these animals was of 5.197% (CI95%: 1.77–14.14). By Real time RT-PCR, HEV was detected in the liver tissue of four wild boar (6.8%; CI95%: 2.7–16.4) and only one animal was also positive in serum (1.7%; CI95%: 0.3–9.1). The non-viremic animals naturally infected with HEV presented evidence of liver infection, mainly in Kupffer cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, without apparent associated hepatitis lesions. This study supports the hypothesis that low viral titers may persist in the liver of non-viremic individuals, giving thus the possibility of consumption of contaminated liver of animals diagnosed as HEV-negative in serum. Further immunopathogenic studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this process and to evaluate the protocols of HEV diagnosis in animals destined for human consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A. Risalde
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juárez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Fernando Romero-Palomo
- Dpto. de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Veterinaria, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO)—Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mario Frías
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pedro López-López
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Dpto. de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCO—ceiA3, Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Saúl Jiménez-Ruíz
- Dpto. de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UCO—ceiA3, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ángela Camacho
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Isabel Machuca
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - José C. Gomez-Villamandos
- Dpto. de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Veterinaria, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO)—Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Raspor Lainšček P, Toplak I, Kirbiš A. A comprehensive study of hepatitis E virus infection in pigs entering a slaughterhouse in Slovenia. Vet Microbiol 2017; 212:52-58. [PMID: 29173588 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a zoonotic viral disease of pigs with increasing public health concern in industrialized countries. Presented broad study of hepatitis E virus (HEV) presence in pigs in Slovenia is the first attempt to overview the HEV situation in pigs entering a slaughterhouse and, further, to analyse the possibility of HEV entering into the food supply chain. 2433 samples from 811 clinically healthy pigs were collected at four slaughterhouses in Slovenia. Sampling covered three different age groups of pigs and three different types of samples (faeces, bile and liver) important for tracing HEV in a pig population. In addition, 63 swab samples were collected systematically from three different sites on the slaughter line, as well as 22 samples of minced meat and 30 bratwurst samples. All the samples were screened for the presence of HEV nucleic acids by specific real-time RT-PCR assay. In the group of three month old pigs 13.7% of faeces, 13.0% of bile and 2.1% of liver samples were HEV positive. In the group of six months old pigs only 0.25% of liver and 0.25% of bile samples were positive. In the category of sows, no positive samples were found. Two out of 63 swab samples collected on the slaughter line were HEV positive. All tested samples of minced meat and bratwurst were negative. The phylogenetic analysis of 50 HEV positive samples, with comparison of 366 nucleotides in ORF1 region, revealed high diversity of identified strains of HEV in pigs, belonging into subtypes 3a, 3b, 3c and 3e.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Raspor Lainšček
- Institute for Food Safety, Feed and Environment, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ivan Toplak
- Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Kirbiš
- Institute for Food Safety, Feed and Environment, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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10
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Porea D, Anita A, Demange A, Raileanu C, Oslobanu Ludu L, Anita D, Savuta G, Pavio N. Molecular detection of hepatitis E virus in wild boar population in eastern Romania. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017; 65:527-533. [PMID: 29027370 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In industrialized countries, Hepatitis E is a recognized zoonosis, with wild boar and swine representing the main reservoirs for zoonotic genotype HEV-3 in Europe. Data related to HEV infection in wild boar population in Romania are restricted to serological surveys. Therefore, our main goal was to determine the HEV prevalence in wild boar population and to characterize HEV strains circulating in Romania. Using TaqMan real-time RT-PCR assay, we analyzed the presence of RNA HEV in 45 liver samples and five spleen samples collected from 50 wild boars. Samples were collected during the 2013-2015 hunting seasons. Nine samples of 50 were tested positive for HEV RNA, resulting an overall prevalence of 18%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates clustered in different HEV-3 monophyletic groups, depending on the sampling county. This is the first study signalling, based on molecular analysis, the presence of HEV in wild boar population from Romania. Also, in this study, we report the detection of HEV in splenic tissue from wild boar.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Porea
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, Romania
| | - A Anita
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, Romania
| | - A Demange
- Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - C Raileanu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, Romania
| | - L Oslobanu Ludu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, Romania
| | - D Anita
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, Romania
| | - G Savuta
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, Romania
| | - N Pavio
- Animal Health Laboratory, UMR 1161 Virology, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
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11
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Cook N, D'Agostino M, Johne R. Potential Approaches to Assess the Infectivity of Hepatitis E Virus in Pork Products: A Review. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2017; 9:243-255. [PMID: 28470455 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-017-9303-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The zoonotic transmission of hepatitis E, caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), is an emerging issue. HEV appears common in pigs (although infected pigs do not show clinical signs), and evidence suggests that a number of hepatitis E cases have been associated with the consumption of undercooked pork meat and products. Little information is available on whether cooking can eliminate HEV, since there is currently no robust method for measuring its infectivity. HEV infectivity can be clearly demonstrated by monitoring for signs of infection (e.g., shedding of virus) in an animal model. However, this approach has several disadvantages, such as lack of reproducibility and unsuitability for performing large numbers of tests, high costs, and not least ethical considerations. Growth in cell culture can unambiguously show that a virus is infectious and has the potential for replication, without the disadvantages of using animals. Large numbers of tests can also be performed, which can make the results more amenable to statistical interpretation. However, no HEV cell culture system has been shown to be applicable to all HEV strains, none has been standardized, and few studies have demonstrated their use for measurement of HEV infectivity in food samples. Nonetheless, cell culture remains the most promising approach, and the main recommendation of this review is that there should be an extensive research effort to develop and validate a cell culture-based method for assessing HEV infectivity in pork products. Systems comprising promising cell lines and HEV strains which can grow well in cell culture should be tested to select an assay for effective and reliable measurement of HEV infectivity over a wide range of virus concentrations. The assay should then be harnessed to a procedure which can extract HEV from pork products, to produce a method suitable for further use. The method can then be used to determine the effect of heat or other elimination processes on HEV in pork meat and products, or to assess whether HEV detected in any surveyed foodstuffs is infectious and therefore poses a risk to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Cook
- Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK.
- Jorvik Food and Environmental Virology Ltd., York, UK.
| | - Martin D'Agostino
- Fera Science Ltd., Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK
- Campden BRI, Chipping Campden, UK
| | - Reimar Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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12
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Gulyaev SA, Potemkin IA, Kichatova VS, Karlsen AA, Isaeva OV, Guiyaeva TV, Vannus MA, Gordeichuk IV, Kyuregyan KK, Mikhailov MI. MODELLING OF HEPATITIS E IN MINI-PIGS. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY EPIDEMIOLOGY IMMUNOBIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.36233/0372-9311-2017-4-48-54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Aim. Experimental reproduction of HEV-infection in mini-pigs and comparative analysis of virological and immunological characteristics of experimental infection. Materials and methods. Wiesenauer minipigs (2 females and 4 males, age 50 - 60 days, weight 5-10 kg) were infected by HEV genotype 3 strain isolated from swine feces in Belgorod region in 2013. The virus was administered as a 10% clarified feces extract (800 pi). Blood (weekly) and feces (daily) were sampled from the animals for 49 days. Anti-HEV IgG were determined in sera samples using DS- ElA-ANTI-HEV-G (Diagnostic Systems) system, HEV RNA in samples of feces extracts and blood sera - RT-PCR. Results. Wiesenauer minipigs were sensitive to HEV genotype 3 infection, infection developed in all the animals after administration of the virus, that was accompanied by the presence of HEV RNA in feces for 2 weeks and seroconversion by anti-HEV. Comparative analysis of virological characteristics of experimental H EV-infection in mini- and standard pigs has shown, that the duration of the infection in mini-pigs is shorter, and seroconversion by anti-HEV occurs earlier. Conclusion. Sensitivity to HEV genotype 3 and lower weight make mini-pigs a comfortable alternative to standard swine and primates for modelling HEV infection in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. A. Gulyaev
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitis
| | - I. A. Potemkin
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
| | - V. S. Kichatova
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
| | - A. A. Karlsen
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
| | - O. V. Isaeva
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
| | - T. V. Guiyaeva
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitis
| | - M. A. Vannus
- Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitis
| | | | - K. K. Kyuregyan
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
| | - M. I. Mikhailov
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera
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13
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Pisano MB, Balderramo D, Wassaf MM, Lotto M, Carlino Y, Ré VE, Debes JD. Hepatitis E virus infection in patients on dialysis and in solid organ transplant recipients in Argentina: exploring associated risk factors. Arch Virol 2016; 162:787-792. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-3171-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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14
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Doceul V, Bagdassarian E, Demange A, Pavio N. Zoonotic Hepatitis E Virus: Classification, Animal Reservoirs and Transmission Routes. Viruses 2016; 8:v8100270. [PMID: 27706110 PMCID: PMC5086606 DOI: 10.3390/v8100270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past ten years, several new hepatitis E viruses (HEVs) have been identified in various animal species. In parallel, the number of reports of autochthonous hepatitis E in Western countries has increased as well, raising the question of what role these possible animal reservoirs play in human infections. The aim of this review is to present the recent discoveries of animal HEVs and their classification within the Hepeviridae family, their zoonotic and species barrier crossing potential, and possible use as models to study hepatitis E pathogenesis. Lastly, this review describes the transmission pathways identified from animal sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Doceul
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Animal Health Laboratory, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Association of Universities and High Education Institutions (ComUE), Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne University, National Veterinary School, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Eugénie Bagdassarian
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Animal Health Laboratory, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Association of Universities and High Education Institutions (ComUE), Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne University, National Veterinary School, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Antonin Demange
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Animal Health Laboratory, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Association of Universities and High Education Institutions (ComUE), Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne University, National Veterinary School, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Nicole Pavio
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Animal Health Laboratory, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Association of Universities and High Education Institutions (ComUE), Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne University, National Veterinary School, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
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15
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Kyuregyan KK, Poleshchuk VF, Gordeichuk IV, Gulyaeva TV, Isaeva OV, Morozov IA, Mikhailov MI. Simulation of Viral Hepatitis E in Marmosets. Bull Exp Biol Med 2016; 160:368-71. [PMID: 26750931 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-016-3173-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We developed a model of hepatitis E virus infection in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and determined optimal route of infection, duration, clinical and virological characteristics of infection in laboratory animals. Using this model, we demonstrated that replication of hepatitis E virus primarily occurs in the liver, while virus replication presumed to take place in the intestine was not confirmed in this experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- K K Kyuregyan
- M. P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - V F Poleshchuk
- M. P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - I V Gordeichuk
- M. P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - T V Gulyaeva
- M. P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Isaeva
- M. P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - I A Morozov
- M. P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - M I Mikhailov
- M. P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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16
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Soomro MH, Shi R, She R, Yang Y, Hu F, Li H. Antigen detection and apoptosis in Mongolian gerbil's kidney experimentally intraperitoneally infected by swine hepatitis E virus. Virus Res 2015; 213:343-352. [PMID: 26724751 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
We examined the effect of hepatitis E virus (HEV) on the renal tissue pathogenesis, morphological damages and related molecular mechanisms following swine HEV suspension intraperitoneally inoculation in Mongolian gerbils. The microscopic and ultramicroscopic analyses of kidney tissue structure were carried out at different points after inoculation of HEV. The immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with HEV presence in the renal tissues. Real-time PCR revealed that the copies of HEV RNA in the kidney were detected at 7 dpi, and peaked at 14 dpi at a concentration was 7.18 logs g(-1), with detection of HEV ORF2 antigen by immunohistochemistry. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining showed pathological lesions including glomerular atrophy, degeneration, edema and necrosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and Mallory and Sirius red staining indicated the presence of collagen fibers and fibrosis in kidney tissues of inoculated gerbils. Ultrastructural studies of basal membrane of renal tubules demonstrated the rough and uneven with mitochondria swelling and vacuolation in the tissues of HEV inoculated animals. Similarly, significantly higher number of (TUNEL)-positive cells were seen in renal tubule tissues compared to control group. Moreover, immuno histochemical results indicated that significant increase expression of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), FAS and Caspase-3 in HEV inoculated Mongolian gerbils at each time points. Relative mRNA expression by real-time PCR revealed a significantly higher (P<0.05) mRNA level of BAX, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 transcription in HEV inoculated Mongolian gerbils. Our results demonstrates that activation of mitochondria and Caspase-3 protease might be induced the apoptosis which subsequently cause the necrosis and cell death of renal epithelial cells during acute phase of HEV infection in HEV inoculated Mongolian gerbils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Hussain Soomro
- Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China; Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Ruihan Shi
- Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiping She
- Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yifei Yang
- Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengjiao Hu
- Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China
| | - Heng Li
- Laboratory of Animal Pathology and Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agriculture University, Beijing, China
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17
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Scotto G, Aucella F, Grandaliano G, Martinelli D, Querques M, Gesuete A, Infante B, Carri PD, Massa S, Salatino G, Bulla F, Fazio V. Hepatitis E in hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients in south-east Italy. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:3266-3273. [PMID: 25805933 PMCID: PMC4363756 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i11.3266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the serovirological prevalence and clinical features of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in end-stage renal failure patients and in the healthy population.
METHODS: HEV infection is a viral disease that can cause sporadic and epidemic hepatitis. Previous studies unexpectedly showed a high prevalence of HEV antibodies in immunosuppressed subjects, including hemodialysis (HD) patients and patients who had undergone kidney transplant. A cohort/case-control study was carried out from January 2012 to August 2013 in two hospitals in southern Italy (Foggia and S. Giovanni Rotondo, Apulia). The seroprevalence of HEV was determined in 801 subjects; 231 HD patients, 120 renal transplant recipients, and 450 health individuals. All HD patients and the recipients of renal transplants were attending the Departments of Nephrology and Dialysis at two hospitals located in Southern Italy, and were included progressively in this study. Serum samples were tested for HEV antibodies (IgG/IgM); in the case of positivity they were confirmed by a Western blot assay and were also tested for HEV-RNA, and the HEV genotypes were determined.
RESULTS: A total of 30/801 (3.7%) patients were positive for anti-HEV Ig (IgG and/or IgM) and by Western blot. The healthy population presented with a prevalence of 2.7%, HD patients had a prevalence of 6.0%, and transplant recipients had a prevalence of 3.3%. The overall combined HEV-positive prevalence in the two groups with chronic renal failure was 5.1%. The rates of exposure to HEV (positivity of HEV-IgG/M in the early samples) were lower in the healthy controls, but the difference among the three groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Positivity for anti-HEV/IgM was detected in 4/30 (13.33%) anti-HEV Ig positive individuals, in 2/14 HD patients, in 1/4 transplant individuals, and in 1/12 of the healthy population. The relative risk of being HEV-IgM-positive was significantly higher among transplant recipients compared to the other two groups (OR = 65.4, 95%CI: 7.2-592.7, P < 0.001), but the subjects with HEV-IgM positivity were numerically too few to calculate a significant difference. No patient presented with chronic hepatitis from HEV infection alone.
CONCLUSION: This study indicated a higher, but not significant, circulation of HEV in hemodialysis patients vs the healthy population. Chronic hepatitis due to the HEV virus was not observed.
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18
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Son NR, Seo DJ, Lee MH, Seo S, Wang X, Lee BH, Lee JS, Joo IS, Hwang IG, Choi C. Optimization of the elution buffer and concentration method for detecting hepatitis E virus in swine liver using a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. J Virol Methods 2014; 206:99-104. [PMID: 24907649 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2014.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop an optimal technique for detecting hepatitis E virus (HEV) in swine livers. Here, three elution buffers and two concentration methods were compared with respect to enhancing recovery of HEV from swine liver samples. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested RT-PCR were performed to detect HEV RNA. When phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) was used to concentrate HEV in swine liver samples using ultrafiltration, real-time RT-PCR detected HEV in 6 of the 26 samples. When threonine buffer was used to concentrate HEV using polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and ultrafiltration, real-time RT-PCR detected HEV in 1 and 3 of the 26 samples, respectively. When glycine buffer was used to concentrate HEV using ultrafiltration and PEG precipitation, real-time RT-PCR detected HEV in 1 and 3 samples of the 26 samples, respectively. When nested RT-PCR was used to detect HEV, all samples tested negative regardless of the type of elution buffer or concentration method used. Therefore, the combination of real-time RT-PCR and ultrafiltration with PBS buffer was the most sensitive and reliable method for detecting HEV in swine livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Ry Son
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Joo Seo
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hwa Lee
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Sheungwoo Seo
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Bog-Hieu Lee
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea; School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Su Lee
- Food Microbiology Division, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Sun Joo
- Food Microbiology Division, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Gyun Hwang
- Food Microbiology Division, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Republic of Korea
| | - Changsun Choi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea; School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea.
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19
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da Costa Lana MV, Gardinali NR, da Cruz RAS, Lopes LL, Silva GS, Caramori Júnior JG, de Oliveira ACS, de Almeida Souza M, Colodel EM, Alfieri AA, Pescador CA. Evaluation of hepatitis E virus infection between different production systems of pigs in Brazil. Trop Anim Health Prod 2013; 46:399-404. [PMID: 24272392 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-013-0503-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate the occurrence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in pigs from large-scale and family-scale farms, (2) genetically characterize the strains isolated, and (3) study the pathogenesis of swine HEV infection via immunohistochemistry. A total of 50 pigs from 10 farms in Mato Grosso State, Brazil were divided according to type of production system into either large-scale farms (n = 5) or family-scale farms (n = 5). Samples of liver, gallbladder, small and large intestines, bile, and feces from the pigs were analyzed by nested PCR with primers targeting the ORF2 region of HEV and by immunohistochemistry. Of the eight HEV-positive samples from pigs of family-scale farms, phylogenetic analysis revealed that seven of the swine HEV isolates clustered with subtype 3b of genotype 3 and one isolate was categorized with subtype 3 f. The HEV antigen was detected mainly in the small intestine samples from family-scale farms, suggesting an early stage HEV infection. HEV was not detected in the samples of pigs from large-scale farms, reinforcing the need for additional studies to evaluate the risk of transmission of HEV to humans from pigs from family-scale farms in Mato Grosso State.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marconni Victor da Costa Lana
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, 2367. Bairro Boa Esperança, CEP 78069-900, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
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20
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Andraud M, Dumarest M, Cariolet R, Aylaj B, Barnaud E, Eono F, Pavio N, Rose N. Direct contact and environmental contaminations are responsible for HEV transmission in pigs. Vet Res 2013; 44:102. [PMID: 24165278 PMCID: PMC4176089 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause enterically-transmitted hepatitis in humans. The zoonotic nature of Hepatitis E infections has been established in industrialized areas and domestic pigs are considered as the main reservoir. The dynamics of transmission in pig herds therefore needs to be understood to reduce the prevalence of viremic pigs at slaughter and prevent contaminated pig products from entering the food chain. An experimental trial was carried out to study the main characteristics of HEV transmission between orally inoculated pigs and naïve animals. A mathematical model was used to investigate three transmission routes, namely direct contact between pigs and two environmental components to represent within-and between-group oro-fecal transmission. A large inter-individual variability was observed in response to infection with an average latent period lasting 6.9 days (5.8; 7.9) in inoculated animals and an average infectious period of 9.7 days (8.2; 11.2). Our results show that direct transmission alone, with a partial reproduction number of 1.41 (0.21; 3.02), can be considered as a factor of persistence of infection within a population. However, the quantity of virus present in the environment was found to play an essential role in the transmission process strongly influencing the probability of infection with a within pen transmission rate estimated to 2 ⋅ 10− 6g ge− 1d− 1(1 ⋅ 10− 7; 7 ⋅ 10− 6). Between-pen environmental transmission occurred to a lesser extent (transmission rate: 7 ⋅ 10− 8g ge− 1d− 1(5 ⋅ 10− 9; 3 ⋅ 10− 7) but could further generate a within-group process. The combination of these transmission routes could explain the persistence and high prevalence of HEV in pig populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Andraud
- Anses, Laboratoire de Ploufragan/Plouzané, Unité Epidémiologie et Bien-Être du Porc, BP 53, 22440 Ploufragan, France.
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21
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Martinelli N, Pavoni E, Filogari D, Ferrari N, Chiari M, Canelli E, Lombardi G. Hepatitis E virus in wild boar in the central northern part of Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2013; 62:217-22. [PMID: 23865469 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for sporadic acute hepatitis in developed countries, where the infection is acquired probably through ingestion of contaminated food, in addition to travel-related cases. In this study, the circulation of HEV in wild boar from nine Italian provinces was evaluated. An overall seroprevalence of 10.2% was found, although there were differences among the provinces, while no samples were positive for HEV RNA detection. This study indicates an active circulation of HEV in the Italian wild boar populations and suggests to consider the zoonotic risk in handling and eating meat from this animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Martinelli
- IZSLER - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "B. Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
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22
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Abstract
The lack of an efficient cell culture system for hepatitis E virus (HEV) has greatly hampered detailed analyses of this virus. The first efficient cell culture systems for HEV that were developed were capable of secreting infectious HEV progenies in high titers into culture media, using PLC/PRF/5 cells derived from human hepatocellular carcinoma and A549 cells derived from human lung cancer as host cells. The success achieved with the original genotype 3 JE03-1760F strain has now been extended to various HEV strains in fecal and serum samples obtained from hepatitis E patients and to HEV strains in fecal and serum samples and liver tissues obtained from pigs and wild boar across species barriers. In addition, infectious HEV cDNA clones of the wild-type JE03-1760F strain and its variants have been engineered. Cell culture-generated HEV particles and those in circulating blood were found to be associated with lipids and open reading frame 3 (ORF3) protein, thereby likely contributing to the assembly and release of HEV from infected cells both in vivo and in vitro. The ORF3 protein interacts with the tumor susceptibility gene 101, a critical cellular protein required for the budding of enveloped viruses, through the Pro, Ser, Ala, and Pro (PSAP) motif in infected cells; ORF3 is co-localized with multivesicular bodies (MVBs) in the cytoplasm of infected cells, thus suggesting that HEV requires the MVB pathway for the egress of virus particles. This article reviews the development of efficient cell culture systems for a wide variety of infectious HEV strains obtained from humans, pigs, and wild boar, and also provides details of a new model for virion egress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke Tochigi, 329-0498 Japan
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Harrison A, Scobie L, Crossan C, Parry R, Johnston P, Stratton J, Dickinson S, Ellis V, Hunter JG, Prescott OR, Madden R, Lin NX, Henley WE, Bendall RP, Dalton HR. Hepatitis E seroprevalence in recipients of renal transplants or haemodialysis in southwest England: a case-control study. J Med Virol 2012; 85:266-71. [PMID: 23169048 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Locally acquired HEV infection is increasingly recognized in developed countries. Anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence has been shown to be high in haemodialysis patients in a number of previous studies, employing assays of uncertain sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in recipients of haemodialysis and renal transplants compared to a control group using a validated, highly sensitive assay. Eighty-eight patients with functioning renal transplants and 76 receiving chronic haemodialysis were tested for HEV RNA and anti-HEV IgG and IgM. Six hundred seventy controls were tested for anti-HEV IgG. Anti-HEV IgG was positive in 28/76 (36.8%) of haemodialysis and 16/88 (18.2%) of transplant patients. HEV RNA was not found in any patient. 126/670 (18.8%) of control subjects were anti-HEV IgG positive. After adjusting for age and sex, there was a significantly higher anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence amongst haemodialysis patients compared to controls (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.16-3.31, P = 0.01) or transplant recipients (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.18-6.07, P = 0.02). Patients with a functioning transplant showed no difference in anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence compared to controls. The duration of haemodialysis or receipt of blood products were not significant risk factors for HEV IgG positivity. Patients receiving haemodialysis have a higher seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG than both age- and sex-matched controls and a cohort of renal transplant patients. None of the haemodialysis patients had evidence of chronic infection. The reason haemodialysis patients have a high seroprevalence remains uncertain and merits further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Harrison
- Department of Nephrology, Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro, Cornwall, United Kingdom
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Both swine and human cells are capable to support the replication of swine hepatitis E virus type 4 in vitro. Virus Res 2011; 158:289-93. [PMID: 21470567 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2011.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2010] [Revised: 03/26/2011] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Using swine anal swab or liver as inocula, cell-culture systems were developed for swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) in swine cells (IBRS-2) and human cells (A549). Both positive and negative strand of swine HEV RNA were detected continuously. Cytopathic effect appeared from passage 8 in IBRS-2 and passage 22 in A549. Viral antigen was detected by indirect immunofluorescent assay in infected cells. Progenies harbored mutations in the third nucleotide of codon. Amino acid changes occurred in passage 8 in IBRS-2 and rescued in passage 10. Full-length genome sequence of a swine HEV isolate from liver was determined to be genotype 4. Taken together, our data suggest that swine HEV is able to replicate in both swine and human cells in vitro.
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Johne R, Heckel G, Plenge-Bönig A, Kindler E, Maresch C, Reetz J, Schielke A, Ulrich RG. Novel hepatitis E virus genotype in Norway rats, Germany. Emerg Infect Dis 2010; 16:1452-5. [PMID: 20735931 PMCID: PMC3294985 DOI: 10.3201/eid1609.100444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hepatitis E virus infections may be caused by zoonotic transmission of virus genotypes 3 and 4. To determine whether rodents are a reservoir, we analyzed the complete nucleotide sequence of a hepatitis E–like virus from 2 Norway rats in Germany. The sequence suggests a separate genotype for this hepatotropic virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reimar Johne
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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26
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Resendes AR, Majó N, van den Ingh TSGAM, Mateu E, Domingo M, Calsamiglia M, Segalés J. Apoptosis in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) hepatitis in pigs naturally infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Vet J 2010; 189:72-6. [PMID: 20817515 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Revised: 06/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The degree of apoptosis in the livers of pigs with hepatitis due to naturally-occurring postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) was evaluated semi-quantitatively by immunohistochemical detection of the apoptotic marker cleaved caspase-3 (CCasp3). The amount and distribution of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) virus in the liver was evaluated using in situ hybridisation. Livers with mild, stage I hepatitis exhibited similar degrees of apoptosis to controls; those with stage II lesions had variable apoptotic rates, ranging from mild to high, and in livers with more severe, stage III hepatitis, high levels of hepatocyte apoptosis was a feature. Statistical analyses indicated a positive association between the rate of apoptosis, the severity of the hepatitis and the amount of PCV2 DNA in the liver. Double immunolabelling for CCasp3 and PCV2 DNA revealed a predominance of cells labelling only for PCV2, followed by fewer cells labelling only for CCasp3, and the least number labelling for both. The findings suggest that apoptosis, possibly triggered by PCV2 infection and/or hepatic inflammation, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis in pigs with naturally-occurring PMWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana R Resendes
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
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Pavio N, Meng XJ, Renou C. Zoonotic hepatitis E: animal reservoirs and emerging risks. Vet Res 2010; 41:46. [PMID: 20359452 PMCID: PMC2865210 DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2009] [Accepted: 04/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for enterically-transmitted acute hepatitis in humans with two distinct epidemiological patterns. In endemic regions, large waterborne epidemics with thousands of people affected have been observed, and, in contrast, in non-endemic regions, sporadic cases have been described. Although contaminated water has been well documented as the source of infection in endemic regions, the modes of transmission in non-endemic regions are much less known. HEV is a single-strand, positive-sense RNA virus which is classified in the Hepeviridae family with at least four known main genotypes (1–4) of mammalian HEV and one avian HEV. HEV is unique among the known hepatitis viruses, in which it has an animal reservoir. In contrast to humans, swine and other mammalian animal species infected by HEV generally remain asymptomatic, whereas chickens infected by avian HEV may develop a disease known as Hepatitis-Splenomegaly syndrome. HEV genotypes 1 and 2 are found exclusively in humans while genotypes 3 and 4 are found both in humans and other mammals. Several lines of evidence indicate that, in some cases involving HEV genotypes 3 and 4, animal to human transmissions occur. Furthermore, individuals with direct contact with animals are at higher risk of HEV infection. Cross-species infections with HEV genotypes 3 and 4 have been demonstrated experimentally. However, not all sources of human infections have been identified thus far and in many cases, the origin of HEV infection in humans remains unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pavio
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France.
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28
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Teo CG. Much meat, much malady: changing perceptions of the epidemiology of hepatitis E. Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16:24-32. [PMID: 20002688 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2009.03111.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E, which is caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV), may now be considered a zoonosis as well as an anthroponosis. Pigs, boars and deer have been identified as reservoirs, and their flesh and entrails--as meat and offal--as vehicles of HEV transmission. Shellfish also act as vehicles. Dietary, gastronomic and culinary preferences influence how extensively HEV conveyed by these vehicles can be inactivated before their ingestion by the host. Another route of infection is paved by HEV that is enterically shed by humans and by live animals into the environment. Although anthroponotic transmission of HEV is primarily environmental, zoonotic transmission may proceed along both foodborne and environmental routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C G Teo
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
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Experimental infection of rabbits with rabbit and genotypes 1 and 4 hepatitis E viruses. PLoS One 2010; 5:e9160. [PMID: 20161794 PMCID: PMC2820092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2009] [Accepted: 01/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent study provided evidence that farmed rabbits in China harbor a novel hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype. Although the rabbit HEV isolate had 77-79% nucleotide identity to the mammalian HEV genotypes 1 to 4, their genomic organization is very similar. Since rabbits are used widely experimentally, including as models of infection, we investigated whether they constitute an appropriate animal model for human HEV infection. METHODS Forty-two SPF rabbits were divided randomly into eleven groups and inoculated with six different isolates of rabbit HEV, two different doses of a second-passage rabbit HEV, and with genotype 1 and 4 HEV. Sera and feces were collected weekly after inoculation. HEV antigen, RNA, antibody and alanine aminotransferase in sera and HEV RNA in feces were detected. The liver samples were collected during necropsy subject to histopathological examination. FINDINGS Rabbits inoculated with rabbit HEV became infected with HEV, with viremia, fecal virus shedding and high serum levels of viral antigens, and developed hepatitis, with elevation of the liver enzyme, ALT. The severity of disease corresponded to the infectious dose (genome equivalents), with the most severe hepatic disease caused by strain GDC54-18. However, only two of nine rabbits infected with HEV genotype 4, and none infected with genotype 1, developed hepatitis although six of nine rabbits inoculated with the genotype 1 HEV and in all rabbits inoculated with the genotype 4 HEV seroconverted to be positive for anti-HEV IgG antibody by 14 weeks post-inoculation. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that rabbits are an appropriate model for rabbit HEV infection but are not likely to be useful for the study of human HEV. The rabbit HEV infection of rabbits may provide an appropriate parallel animal model to study HEV pathogenesis.
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Martelli F, Toma S, Di Bartolo I, Caprioli A, Ruggeri FM, Lelli D, Bonci M, Ostanello F. Detection of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Italian pigs displaying different pathological lesions. Res Vet Sci 2010; 88:492-6. [PMID: 20092862 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2009.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2009] [Revised: 08/28/2009] [Accepted: 12/18/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In this study we investigated the HEV prevalence in Italian pigs displaying different pathological lesions, possible risk factors related to the infection, and the possible relations occurring between HEV and other concomitant pig pathogens. Genetic characterization of some of the identified strains was also performed. Detection of HEV RNA was accomplished using a nested reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction on bile samples from 137 pigs of 2-4months of age submitted for diagnostic purposes. Forty-one of the 137 examined pigs (29.9%) tested positive for HEV RNA. Animals of 80-120days of age showed a higher prevalence of HEV infection (46.9% against 20% of younger animals). No statistically significant correlations between HEV positivity and the presence of other pathological conditions detected at necropsy, or concomitant coinfections with PCV2 and/or PRRSV were detected. All identified strains belonged to genotype 3, and were similar to other HEV subtypes 3e, 3f, 3c circulating in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Martelli
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bologna University, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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31
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Forgách P, Nowotny N, Erdélyi K, Boncz A, Zentai J, Szucs G, Reuter G, Bakonyi T. Detection of hepatitis E virus in samples of animal origin collected in Hungary. Vet Microbiol 2009; 143:106-16. [PMID: 20005644 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2008] [Revised: 10/30/2009] [Accepted: 11/10/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an enterically transmitted human pathogen. HEV infections are mainly associated with acute, self-limited, icteric hepatitis with an average mortality rate of 1%. Animal reservoirs are considered to play an important role in the maintenance of the virus and in the spread of HEV to humans. HEV-induced seroconversion was described in several species, however clinical hepatitis in animals has not been observed to date. HEV strains from animals are genetically closely related to human HEV isolates, which supports the opinions on the zoonotic transmission of the virus. In this expansive study the occurrence of HEV was investigated in Hungarian wild and domesticated animal samples. HEV RNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in liver samples of wild boars, roe deer, and deer. The investigations of domestic swine samples detected HEV in 39% of the investigated Hungarian pig farms. Simultaneous investigation revealed no definite difference between liver and faeces samples of domestic pigs in the frequency of HEV positivity. The highest (36%) incidence of HEV infection was found among the 11-16-week-old pigs. Samples from domestic cattle and rodents collected in pig farms, forests and meadows were tested negative for HEV RNA. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences amplified within the ORF1 and ORF2 regions of selected strains revealed that the detected viruses belong to three subgroups of the third genogroup of HEV, and are closely related to human and swine HEV strains detected in different countries. The investigations revealed widespread distribution of HEV in Hungarian wild ungulate and domesticated swine populations, with considerable genetic diversity among the strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Forgách
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Hungária krt. 23-25, H-1143 Budapest, Hungary.
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32
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Li W, Sun Q, She R, Wang D, Duan X, Yin J, Ding Y. Experimental infection of Mongolian gerbils by a genotype 4 strain of swine hepatitis E virus. J Med Virol 2009; 81:1591-6. [PMID: 19623666 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
An ideal animal model for hepatitis E virus (HEV) research is still unavailable. To assess the possibility of using Mongolian gerbils as animal model, 28 gerbils were randomly assigned into two groups, 14 for each group. Gerbils in Group 1 were inoculated with a genotype 4 HEV recovered from swine via the intraperitoneal route. Group 2 was used as a negative control and inoculated with normal suspension of swine liver. Sera and feces samples were collected once a week for 7 weeks. Two gerbils from both groups were necropsied weekly, pathological changes were recorded and tissue samples collected for further investigation. Distribution of the virus antigens was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Nested RT-PCR and a commercial ELISA kit were used to confirm the infection. Research results demonstrated that Mongolian gerbils in Group 1 were successfully infected with HEV. Viremia and fecal virus shedding lasted nearly 4 weeks, while the virus could be detected constantly in the liver, and occasionally in the kidneys and spleen as well as the small intestine. Histopathological changes in the liver were present with slight, multifocal, lymphohistiocytic infiltrates in the portal tracts or distributed irregularly throughout the liver. HEV antigens could be detected in the liver and intestine, and were mainly distributed in the nuclei. The results indicate that Mongolian gerbils could be used as an ideal animal model for the study of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wengui Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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33
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Huang F, Zhang W, Gong G, Yuan C, Yan Y, Yang S, Cui L, Zhu J, Yang Z, Hua X. Experimental infection of Balb/c nude mice with Hepatitis E virus. BMC Infect Dis 2009; 9:93. [PMID: 19523236 PMCID: PMC2717970 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-9-93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2008] [Accepted: 06/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several animal species can reportedly act as reservoirs for Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a zoonotic pathogen. HEV and antibody to the virus have been detected in a variety of animals including rodents. Pig and rat models for HEV have been established for HEV, but a nude mouse has not yet been developed. METHODS Balb/c nude mice were inoculated with swine HEV, both orally and via intravenous injection to insure infection. Negative control and experimental contact-exposed groups of mice were also included in the study. The liver, spleen, kidney, jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon of each mouse from all three groups were collected for reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) detection, indirect immunofluorescence observation and histopathologic examination. The sera from nude mice were tested for anti-HEV IgG by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Activities of liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as total bilirubin (TBIL) were also measured in the sera of the nude mice. RESULTS HEV antigens and HEV RNA were detected in liver, spleen, kidney, jejunum, ileum and colon both by indirect immunofluorescence and by RT-nPCR in all of the inoculated and in one of the contact-exposed nude mice. Histopathological changes were observed in the liver and spleen of these mice. Infected mice showed increased levels of AST, ALP, and anti-HEV IgG in sera. The livers of contact-exposed mice showed obvious histopathological damage. CONCLUSION Nude mice could be readily infected by HEV isolated from pigs. The nude mouse may therefore be a useful animal model for studying the pathogenesis of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Huang
- Shanghai Key laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
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Casas M, Pina S, de Deus N, Peralta B, Martín M, Segalés J. Pigs orally inoculated with swine hepatitis E virus are able to infect contact sentinels. Vet Microbiol 2009; 138:78-84. [PMID: 19361936 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2008] [Revised: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 03/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to explore the most likely natural route of infection of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) by oral inoculation of pigs and to investigate the potential infection by direct contact exposure. A preliminary experiment was performed to assess the infectiousness of the bile used as source of virus. Once confirmed, 16 pigs were inoculated via oral drop with an HEV positive bile suspension containing 2x10(5) genome equivalents per pig. Nine animals were kept as contact sentinels and 12 more pigs were used as negative controls. A number of pigs from the three groups were euthanized at 16, 32 and 64 days post-inoculation. From the HEV inoculated group, three pigs shed virus in faeces, two had virus RNA in bile at necropsy and two seroconverted. In the contact group, two animals showed presence of HEV RNA in bile. This study demonstrates that pigs orally inoculated with a single HEV dose got infection, although few animals had evidence of infection. Moreover, the virus was successfully transmitted to direct contact exposed pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maribel Casas
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Lee YH, Ha Y, Ahn KK, Cho KD, Lee BH, Kim SH, Chae C. Comparison of a new synthetic, peptide-derived, polyclonal antibody-based, immunohistochemical test with in situ hybridisation for the detection of swine hepatitis E virus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Vet J 2008; 182:131-5. [PMID: 18701328 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2007] [Revised: 05/10/2008] [Accepted: 05/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A synthetic, peptide-derived, polyclonal antibody-based, immunohistochemical test was developed to detect swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) and was compared with in situ hybridisation for the detection of HEV in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from experimentally infected pigs. Solid-phase peptide synthesis was used to generate peptides from swine HEV open reading frame 2, and the purified peptides were injected into rabbits to produce polyclonal antibodies. The specificity and sensitivity of the test were both 100%. Liver was most consistently positive for swine HEV antigen and RNA by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation, respectively, but both were detected much less frequently in extrahepatic tissues such as lymph node, tonsil, spleen, and intestine. Swine HEV antigen and RNA showed a similar distribution in virus-infected hepatocytes in serial sections. The novel test developed in this study is suitable for consistently detecting swine HEV antigen in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-H Lee
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, San 56-1, Shillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
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