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Zahmanova G, Takova K, Lukov GL, Andonov A. Hepatitis E Virus in Domestic Ruminants and Virus Excretion in Milk-A Potential Source of Zoonotic HEV Infection. Viruses 2024; 16:684. [PMID: 38793568 PMCID: PMC11126035 DOI: 10.3390/v16050684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus is a serious health concern worldwide, with 20 million cases each year. Growing numbers of autochthonous HEV infections in industrialized nations are brought on via the zoonotic transmission of HEV genotypes 3 and 4. Pigs and wild boars are the main animal reservoirs of HEV and play the primary role in HEV transmission. Consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat and close contact with infected animals are the most common causes of hepatitis E infection in industrialized countries. However, during the past few years, mounting data describing HEV distribution has led experts to believe that additional animals, particularly domestic ruminant species (cow, goat, sheep, deer, buffalo, and yak), may also play a role in the spreading of HEV. Up to now, there have not been enough studies focused on HEV infections associated with animal milk and the impact that they could have on the epidemiology of HEV. This critical analysis discusses the role of domestic ruminants in zoonotic HEV transmissions. More specifically, we focus on concerns related to milk safety, the role of mixed farming in cross-species HEV infections, and what potential consequences these may have on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Technology Transfer and IP Management, Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Katerina Takova
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Georgi L. Lukov
- Faculty of Sciences, Brigham Young University–Hawaii, Laie, HI 96762, USA
| | - Anton Andonov
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada;
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Gutiérrez SE, Arce LP, Bence AR, Matias Brancher J, Rivero M, Moran C, Vizoso-Pinto MG, Estein SM. Unraveling swine hepatitis E in the central region of Argentina through ELISA development and epidemiological insights. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 103:102082. [PMID: 37918283 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102082] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health concern globally, causing acute viral hepatitis in humans. Genotype-3 HEV (HEV-3), the most frequently genotype detected in South America, is zoonotic and the main reservoirs are the domestic pig and wild boar. Circulation of HEV-3 in Argentina has been confirmed in humans as well as in pig herds, wild boar and environmental waters. However, data are scarce mainly due to the inaccessibility of serological assays in this country. In order to provide insights in the epidemiology of HEV in swine in Argentina, we developed an indirect ELISA based on the native recombinant protein ORF2 and conducted a serological survey to determine the prevalence of seropositive swine in small-scale pig farms in the central region of Argentina. The method was evaluated in a panel of 157 serum samples, resulting in relative sensitivity of 98.6 % (95 % CI 95 %-100 %) and relative specificity of 97.7 % (95 % CI 94 %-100 %) compared to a commercial test. An almost perfect agreement was obtained between the two tests (Kappa index of 0.961). A survey on 294 samples from 49 small-scale farms resulted in a seropositivity rate of 54 %. Seropositive animals were found in 34 out of 49 (69.4 %) farms. Most of the farms (70.6 %) had over 50 % of seropositive animals. The wide spreading of HEV in the swine population of Tandil, Argentina, underscore the need to better understand the epidemiology of HEV in the region, enabling the implementation of targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of this virus on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvina Elena Gutiérrez
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Lorena Paola Arce
- Laboratorio de Biología de las Infecciones. INSIBIO (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina
| | - Angel Ricardo Bence
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Matias Brancher
- Laboratorio de Biología de las Infecciones. INSIBIO (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina
| | - Mariana Rivero
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Celeste Moran
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Guadalupe Vizoso-Pinto
- Laboratorio de Biología de las Infecciones. INSIBIO (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina; Laboratorio Central de Ciencias Básicas, Or. Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina.
| | - Silvia Marcela Estein
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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3
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Pischke S, Knoop EV, Mader M, Kling L, Wolski A, Wagner A, Mueller K, Horvatits T, Stiller J, Wisnewski K, Kohn B, Schulze Zur Wiesch J, Groschup MH, Eiden M. Anti-HEV seroprevalence and rate of viremia in a German cohort of dogs, cats, and horses. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19240. [PMID: 37935733 PMCID: PMC10630430 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46009-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 infections in Germany are mainly transmitted zoonotically through the consumption of swine meat. Furthermore, there is evidence that pets might come into contact with HEV, but the relevance of companion animals as possible sources of HEV transmission in Germany still needs to be defined. A monitoring study was therefore carried out on dogs, cats, and horses from Germany. In total 365 serum samples from pets (124 dogs, 119 cats, and 122 horses) were tested for HEV by PCR and for anti-HEV antibodies by a commercial ELISA. The HEV seroprevalence determined by the sero-assay varied significantly between dogs (10%), cats (6%), and horses (2%). Liver injury-related enzymes, alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) showed no differences between HEV-positive or negative animals. None of the pet serum samples tested positive for PCR. This serological study suggests that dogs and cats are significantly exposed to HEV in Germany, while horses are of minor relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pischke
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel and Heidelberg Partner Sites, Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | - M Mader
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - L Kling
- SYNLAB.Vet GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Wolski
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Wagner
- Vetambulanz Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - K Mueller
- Small Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - T Horvatits
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Stiller
- Small Animal Clinic, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - K Wisnewski
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - B Kohn
- Small Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Schulze Zur Wiesch
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel and Heidelberg Partner Sites, Hamburg, Germany
| | - M H Groschup
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel and Heidelberg Partner Sites, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M Eiden
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel and Heidelberg Partner Sites, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Turlewicz-Podbielska H, Augustyniak A, Wojciechowski J, Pomorska-Mól M. Hepatitis E Virus in Livestock-Update on Its Epidemiology and Risk of Infection to Humans. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3239. [PMID: 37893962 PMCID: PMC10603682 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health problem worldwide and an important food pathogen known for its zoonotic potential. Increasing numbers of infection cases with human HEV are caused by the zoonotic transmission of genotypes 3 and 4, mainly by consuming contaminated, undercooked or raw porcine meat. Pigs are the main reservoir of HEV. However, it should be noted that other animal species, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and rabbits, may also be a source of infection for humans. Due to the detection of HEV RNA in the milk and tissues of cattle, the consumption of infected uncooked milk and meat or offal from these species also poses a potential risk of zoonotic HEV infections. Poultry infected by avian HEV may also develop symptomatic disease, although avian HEV is not considered a zoonotic pathogen. HEV infection has a worldwide distribution with different prevalence rates depending on the affected animal species, sampling region, or breeding system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Turlewicz-Podbielska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
| | - Agata Augustyniak
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
| | | | - Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
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Santos-Silva S, da Silva Dias Moraes DF, López-López P, Rivero-Juarez A, Mesquita JR, Nascimento MSJ. Hepatitis E Virus in the Iberian Peninsula: A Systematic Review. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2023; 15:193-211. [PMID: 37434079 PMCID: PMC10499749 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-023-09560-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
One of the most frequent causes of acute viral hepatitis is hepatitis E virus (HEV) causing 20 million infections worldwide each year and 44,000 deaths. Studies on HEV in the Iberian Peninsula have been increasing through time with HEV infection being identified in humans and animals. The aim of the present systematic review was to compile and evaluate all the published data on HEV from studies performed in humans, animals and environmental samples in the Iberian Peninsula. The electronic databases Mendeley, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were thoroughly searched, and research published up until February 01, 2023 were included. Resulting in a total of 151 eligible papers by full reading and application of PRISMA exclusion/inclusion criteria. Overall, the present review shows that several HEV genotypes, namely HEV-1, 3, 4, and 6 as well as Rocahepevirus, are circulating in humans, animals, and in the environment in the Iberian Peninsula. HEV-3 was the most common genotype circulating in humans in Portugal and Spain, as expected for developed countries, with HEV-1 only being detected in travelers and emigrants from HEV endemic regions. Spain is the biggest pork producer in Europe and given the high circulation of HEV in pigs, with HEV-3 being primarily associated to zoonotic transmission through consumption of swine meat and meat products, in our opinion, the introduction of an HEV surveillance system in swine and inclusion of HEV in diagnostic routines for acute and chronic human hepatitis would be important. Additionally, we propose that establishing a monitoring mechanism for HEV is crucial in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence of this illness and the various strains present in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as their potential impact on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Santos-Silva
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Pedro López-López
- 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
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - António Rivero-Juarez
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba, Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - João R Mesquita
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Porto, Portugal.
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Tsachev I, Gospodinova K, Pepovich R, Takova K, Kundurzhiev T, Zahmanova G, Kaneva K, Baymakova M. First Insight into the Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle, Sheep, and Goats from Bulgaria. Viruses 2023; 15:1594. [PMID: 37515279 PMCID: PMC10385379 DOI: 10.3390/v15071594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has been found to be widespread among different animal species worldwide. In Bulgaria, high HEV seropositivity was found among pigs (60.3%), wild boars (40.8%), and East Balkan swine (82.5%). The aim of the present study was to establish the seroprevalence of HEV among dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats in Bulgaria. In total, 720 serum samples from six animal species were randomly collected: dogs-90 samples; cats-90; horses-180; cattle-180; sheep-90; and goats-90. The serum samples were collected from seven districts of the country: Burgas, Kardzhali, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Sliven, Smolyan, and Stara Zagora. The animal serum samples were tested for HEV antibodies using the commercial Wantai HEV-Ab ELISA kit (Beijing, China). The overall HEV seroprevalence among different animal species from Bulgaria was as follows: dogs-21.1%; cats-17.7%; horses-8.3%; cattle-7.7%; sheep-32.2%; and goats-24.4%. We found the lowest overall HEV seropositivity in Plovdiv district (6.2%; 4/64; p = 0.203) and Smolyan district (8.8%; 4/45; p = 0.129), vs. the highest in Pazardzhik district (21.6%; 29/134; p = 0.024) and Burgas district (28.8%; 26/90; p = 0.062). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first serological evidence of HEV infection in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats from Bulgaria. We found high HEV seropositivity in small ruminants (sheep and goats), moderate seropositivity in pets (dogs and cats), and a low level of seropositivity in large animals (horses and cattle). Previous Bulgarian studies and the results of this research show that HEV infection is widespread among animals in our country. In this regard, the Bulgarian health authorities must carry out increased surveillance and control of HEV infection among animals in Bulgaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia Tsachev
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Krasimira Gospodinova
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Roman Pepovich
- Department of Infectious Pathology, Hygiene, Technology and Control of Foods from Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Katerina Takova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Todor Kundurzhiev
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Technology Transfer and IP Management, Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Kristin Kaneva
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Magdalena Baymakova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Batmagnai E, Boldbaatar B, Sodbayasgalan A, Kato-Mori Y, Hagiwara K. Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Spreads from Pigs and Sheep in Mongolia. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050891. [PMID: 36899748 PMCID: PMC10000034 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a viral infectious disease in pigs, wild boars, cows, deer, rabbits, camels, and humans as hosts caused by Paslahepevirus. Recently, it has been detected in a wide variety of animals including domestic small ruminants. Mongolia is a land of nomadic people living with livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle. Due to how Mongolian lifestyles have changed, pork has become popular and swine diseases have emerged. Among them, Hepatitis E disease has become a zoonotic infectious disease that needs to be addressed. The HEV problem in pigs is that infected pigs excrete the virus without showing clinical symptoms and it spreads into the environment. We attempted to detect HEV RNA in sheep which had been raised in Mongolia for a long time, and those animals living together with pigs in the same region currently. We also conducted a longitudinal analysis of HEV infection in pigs in the same area and found that they were infected with HEV of the same genotype and cluster. In this study, we examined 400 feces and 120 livers (pigs and sheep) by RT-PCR in Töv Province, Mongolia. HEV detection in fecal samples was 2% (4/200) in sheep and 15% (30/200) in pigs. The results of ORF2 sequence analysis of the HEV RT-PCR-positive pigs and sheep confirmed genotype 4 in both animals. The results suggest that HEV infection is widespread in both pigs and sheep and that urgent measures to prevent infection are needed. This case study points to the changing nature of infectious diseases associated with livestock farming. It will be necessary to reconsider livestock husbandry and public health issues based on these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhbaatar Batmagnai
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
| | - Bazartseren Boldbaatar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
| | - Amarbayasgalan Sodbayasgalan
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia
| | - Yuko Kato-Mori
- Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, 7-1-49 Minatojima Minami-Machi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Katsuro Hagiwara
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan
- Correspondence:
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Animal reservoirs for hepatitis E virus within the Paslahepevirus genus. Vet Microbiol 2023; 278:109618. [PMID: 36640568 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2022.109618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for acute hepatitis in humans. It is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus that belongs to the Hepeviridae family. The majority of concerning HEV genotypes belong to the Paslahepevirus genus and are subsequently divided into eight genotypes. HEV genotypes 1 and 2 exclusively infect humans and primates while genotypes 3 and 4 infect both humans and other mammals. Whereas HEV genotypes 5 and 6 are isolated from wild boars and genotypes 7 and 8 were identified from camels in the United Arab Emirates and China, respectively. HEV mainly spreads from humans to humans via the fecal-oral route. However, some genotypes with the capability of zoonotic transmissions, such as 3 and 4 transmit from animals to humans through feces, direct contact, and ingestion of contaminated meat products. As we further continue to uncover novel HEV strains in various animal species, it is becoming clear that HEV has a broad host range. Therefore, understanding the potential animal reservoirs for this virus will allow for better risk management and risk mitigation of infection with HEV. In this review, we mainly focused on animal reservoirs for the members of the species Paslahepevirus balayani and provided a comprehensive list of the host animals identified to date.
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Current Knowledge of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Epidemiology in Ruminants. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101124. [PMID: 36297181 PMCID: PMC9609093 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection represents an emerging public health concern worldwide. In industrialized countries, increasing numbers of autochthonous cases of human HEV infection are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes 3 and 4, mainly through the consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked meat of infected pigs and wild boars, which are considered the main reservoirs of HEV. However, in the last few years, accumulating evidence seems to indicate that several other animals, including different ruminant species, may harbor HEV. Understanding the impact of HEV infection in ruminants and identifying the risk factors affecting transmission among animals and to humans is critical in order to determine their role in the epidemiological cycle of HEV. In this review, we provide a summary of current knowledge on HEV ecology in ruminants. A growing body of evidence has revealed that these animal species may be potential important hosts of HEV, raising concerns about the possible implications for public health.
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Serological, Virological Investigation and Hepatic Injury Evaluation for Hepatitis E Virus in Hunting Dogs. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101123. [PMID: 36297180 PMCID: PMC9608991 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a quasi-enveloped single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the Orthohepevirus A genus within the Hepeviridae family. The most common transmission route of this virus is fecal–oral, although zoonotic transmission by contact with infected animals has also been described. In this study, 80 sera and rectal swabs were collected from dogs during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 wild boar hunting season in Tuscany. All dogs were submitted for serological screening to detect the presence of anti-HEV antibodies. To evaluate the circulation of HEV, rectal swabs from both seropositive dogs and dogs living in the same kennels were examined by One-Step RT-qPCR. In addition, the presence of markers of hepatic damage in dogs’ sera was investigated. Results indicated the presence of anti-HEV antibodies in 4/80 subjects (5%). However, neither HEV RNA nor signs of hepatic damage were found. In conclusion, although HEV can stimulate a specific immuno-response in dogs, this species does not seem to play an important role in HEV epidemiology.
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Yoon J, Park T, Sohn Y, Lee SK, Park BJ, Ahn HS, Go HJ, Kim DH, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Choi IS. Surveillance of hepatitis E virus in the horse population of Korea: A serological and molecular approach. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 103:105317. [PMID: 35738550 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen causing hepatitis worldwide. Despite the prevalent evidence of interspecies HEV infection in various animal species, the role of horses in HEV epidemiology remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of HEV infection in 283 blood and 114 fecal samples from 397 horses using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Among the 283 serum samples, 35 were positive for anti-HEV antibodies (12.4%; 95% confidence interval: 8.8-16.8), and four of the five sampling regions (80%) had these seropositive individuals. Analyses of the potential risk factors for HEV infection revealed that racing horses had a significantly higher risk of infection (P = 0.01). However, HEV RNA was not detected in any of the tested serum and fecal samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first epidemiological HEV study on horses in Republic of Korea, thereby providing evidence of HEV exposure in the horse population in Korea and specifying the risk factors for HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungho Yoon
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju-si, Jeju 63346, Republic of Korea; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Taemook Park
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju-si, Jeju 63346, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongwoo Sohn
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju-si, Jeju 63346, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Kyu Lee
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju-si, Jeju 63346, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Seop Ahn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Jeong Go
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hwi Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Joong-Bok Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Yong Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Seon Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Soo Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; KU Center for Animal Blood Medical Science, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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12
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The first evidence of zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) exposure in domestic cats in Türkiye. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 86:101820. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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13
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Caballero-Gómez J, García-Bocanegra I, Jiménez-Martín D, Cano-Terriza D, Risalde MA, López-López P, Jiménez-Ruiz S, Rivero A, Rivero-Juarez A. Epidemiological survey and risk factors associated with hepatitis E virus in small ruminants in southern Spain. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:387-393. [PMID: 35244968 PMCID: PMC9311081 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Autochthonous cases of hepatitis E (HE) associated with zoonotic genotypes HEV-3 and HEV-4 have significantly increased in industrialized countries over the last decade. Suidae are generally recognized as the main reservoirs of these genotypes. Susceptibility to HE virus (HEV) infection and zoonotic potential have also been confirmed in other species, including sheep and goat. However, the information about their role in the epidemiology of HEV remains very scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence, spatial distribution and risk factors associated with HEV exposure in sheep and goats in southern Spain, the country with the highest census of small domestic ruminants in the European Union. Blood samples from 240 sheep and 240 goats were collected between 2015 and 2017. Sera were analysed in parallel using a commercial double-antigen ELISA and real-time PCR. A total of 38 (7.9%; 95%CI: 5.5-10.3) out of 480 sampled animals showed anti-HEV antibodies. By species, the seroprevalences found in sheep and goats were 2.1% (5/240; 95%CI: 0.3-3.9) and 13.8% (33/240; 95%CI: 9.4-18.1) respectively. Anti-HEV antibodies were found on 19 (59.4%; 95%CI: 42.4-76.4) of the 32 sampled farms. The GEE model showed that species (goat) and number of small ruminants in the farm (≤348 animals and ≥538 animals) were risk factors potentially associated with HEV exposure in small ruminants in the study area. HEV RNA was not detected in any of the 480 (0.0%; 95%CI: 0.0-0.8) tested animals. Our results confirm that sheep and goats are naturally, but not equally exposed to HEV and indicate the widespread spatial distribution of HEV among small ruminant populations in southern Spain. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of sheep and goat in the epidemiology of HEV and their potential implications for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - María A Risalde
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC.,Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pedro López-López
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,Health & Biotechnology (SaBio) Group, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,CIBERINFEC
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14
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Tialla D, Cissé A, Ouédraogo GA, Hübschen JM, Tarnagda Z, Snoeck CJ. Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in cattle in Burkina Faso associated with swine mixed farming. J Vet Sci 2022; 23:e33. [PMID: 35332710 PMCID: PMC9149500 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.21235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endemic circulation of human-specific hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 2 may occult the importance of sporadic zoonotic HEV transmissions in Africa. Increasing numbers of studies reporting anti-HEV antibodies in cattle and the discovery of infectious HEV in cow milk has raised public health concern, but cattle exposure has seldom been investigated in Africa. Objectives This study aimed at investigating the role of cows in the epidemiology of HEV in Burkina Faso and farmers habits in terms of dairy product consumption as a prerequisite to estimate the risk of transmission to humans. Methods Sera from 475 cattle and 192 pigs were screened for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies while HEV RNA in swine stools was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data on mixed farming, dairy product consumption and selling habits were gathered through questionnaires. Results The overall seroprevalence in cattle was 5.1% and herd seroprevalence reached 32.4% (11/34). Herd seropositivity was not associated with husbandry practice or presence of rabbits on the farms. However, herd seropositivity was associated with on-site presence of pigs, 80.7% of which had anti-HEV antibodies. The majority of farmers reported to preferentially consume raw milk based dairy products. Conclusions Concomitant presence of pigs on cattle farms constitutes a risk factor for HEV exposure of cattle. However, the risk of HEV infections associated with raw cow dairy product consumption is currently considered as low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieudonné Tialla
- Unit of Epidemic-Prone Diseases, Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses (UMEMEZ), National Influenza Reference Laboratory (LNR-G), Department of Biomedical and Public Health, Health Science Research Institute (IRSS), National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST), Ouagadougou, 03 BP 7192, Burkina Faso
- Department Animal Health, National School of Animal Husbandry and Health (ENESA), Ouagadougou, Secteur 28, Burkina Faso
| | - Assana Cissé
- Unit of Epidemic-Prone Diseases, Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses (UMEMEZ), National Influenza Reference Laboratory (LNR-G), Department of Biomedical and Public Health, Health Science Research Institute (IRSS), National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST), Ouagadougou, 03 BP 7192, Burkina Faso
| | - Georges Anicet Ouédraogo
- Laboratory of Research and Teaching in Health and Animal Biotechnology (LARESBA), University Nazi Boni, Bobo-Dioulasso, 01 BP 109, Burkina Faso
| | - Judith M. Hübschen
- Clinical and Applied Virology Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4354, Luxembourg
| | - Zékiba Tarnagda
- Unit of Epidemic-Prone Diseases, Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses (UMEMEZ), National Influenza Reference Laboratory (LNR-G), Department of Biomedical and Public Health, Health Science Research Institute (IRSS), National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST), Ouagadougou, 03 BP 7192, Burkina Faso
| | - Chantal J. Snoeck
- Clinical and Applied Virology Group, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4354, Luxembourg
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15
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Caballero-Gómez J, Rivero-Juarez A, Jurado-Tarifa E, Jiménez-Martín D, Jiménez-Ruiz E, Castro-Scholten S, Ulrich RG, López-López P, Rivero A, García-Bocanegra I. Serological and molecular survey of hepatitis E virus in cats and dogs in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:240-248. [PMID: 34951935 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that is currently recognized as one of the major causes of acute human hepatitis worldwide. In Europe, the increasing number of hepatitis E cases is mainly associated with the consumption of animal food products or contact with infected animals. Dogs and cats have been suggested as a zoonotic source of HEV infection. The aim of this study was to assess Orthohepevirus circulation, including HEV-A, HEV-B and HEV-C species, in sympatric urban cats and dogs in southern Spain. Between 2017 and 2020, blood samples were collected from 144 stray cats and 152 dogs, both strays and pets. The presence of antibodies against HEV were tested using a double-antigen sandwich ELISA and seropositive samples were further analyzed by western blot. A RT-PCR was performed to detect RNA of Orthohepevirus species (HEV-A, HEV-B and HEV-C). A total of 19 (6.4%; 95%CI: 3.6-9.2) of the 296 animals tested showed anti-HEV antibodies by ELISA. Seropositivity was significantly higher in dogs (9.9%; 15/152; 95%CI: 5.1-14.6) than in cats (2.8%; 4/144; 95%CI: 0.1-5.5). Ten out of the 18 ELISA-positive animals that could be further analyzed by western blot, reacted against HEV-3 and/or HEV-C1 antigens, which suggest circulation of both genotypes in urban cats and dogs in the study area. However, HEV-A, HEV-B and HEV-C RNA was not detected in any of the tested sera. This is the first study to assess HEV circulation in both stray cats and dogs in Europe. Our results provide evidence of HEV exposure in sympatric urban cat and dog populations in southern Spain. Further studies are needed to determine the role of these species in the epidemiology of HEV. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14014, España.,Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14004, España.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14004, España.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Estefanía Jurado-Tarifa
- Centro de Sanidad y Bienestar Animal (SBA), Empresa Municipal de Saneamiento de Córdoba (SADECO), Córdoba, 14005, España
| | - Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14014, España
| | - Elena Jiménez-Ruiz
- Centro de Sanidad y Bienestar Animal (SBA), Empresa Municipal de Saneamiento de Córdoba (SADECO), Córdoba, 14005, España
| | - Sabrina Castro-Scholten
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14014, España
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Greifswald-Insel Riems, 17493, Germany
| | - Pedro López-López
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14004, España.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14004, España.,CIBERINFEC
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14014, España.,CIBERINFEC
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16
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Capozza P, Decaro N, Beikpour F, Buonavoglia C, Martella V. Emerging Hepatotropic Viruses in Cats: A Brief Review. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061162. [PMID: 34204394 PMCID: PMC8233973 DOI: 10.3390/v13061162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The possible role of viruses in feline liver disease has long remained neglected. However, in 2018, an analogue of human hepatitis B virus was identified in cats. Moreover, antibodies for human hepatitis E have been detected consistently at various prevalence rates in cats. Although the correlation between these viruses and the liver injury in cats must be clarified, hepatotropic viruses might represent an increasing risk for feline and public health.
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17
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Capozza P, Martella V, Lanave G, Beikpour F, Di Profio F, Palombieri A, Sarchese V, Marsilio F, La Rosa G, Suffredini E, Camero M, Buonavoglia C, Di Martino B. A surveillance study of hepatitis E virus infection in household cats. Res Vet Sci 2021; 137:40-43. [PMID: 33932821 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) typically causes self-limiting acute viral hepatitis, however chronic infection and extrahepatic manifestations have increasingly become a significant health problem. Domestic pigs and wild boars are the main reservoirs of HEV genotype 3 and genotype 4 for human infections in industrialized countries, although molecular and serological evidence suggest that several additional animal species may act as HEV hosts. In this study, by assessing serologically and molecularly the sera of 324 household cats from Apulia region (Italy), HEV antibodies were detected with an overall prevalence of 3.1%. Viral RNA was not detected in the sera of the animals using both HEV-specific assays and a pan-hepevirus broadly reactive set of primers for Hepeviridae. These findings document a low seroprevalence to HEV in cats in the investigated geographical setting. The exact nature of the HEV-like strains circulating in feline population remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Capozza
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Farzad Beikpour
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Federica Di Profio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Andrea Palombieri
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sarchese
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Barbara Di Martino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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18
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Veronesi R, Morach M, Hübschke E, Bachofen C, Stephan R, Nüesch‐Inderbinen M. Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in dogs in Switzerland. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 68:8-11. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Veronesi
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Marina Morach
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Ella Hübschke
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Claudia Bachofen
- Institute of Virology Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
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19
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Caballero-Gómez J, García Bocanegra I, Rivero-Juárez A. Response to the Letter to the Editor concerning 'Absence of hepatitis E virus circulation in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) in Mediterranean ecosystems in Spain' by Caballero-Gómez et al. (Transbound Emerg Dis; 2020: https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.13478). Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:1758-1760. [PMID: 32598556 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Rivero-Juárez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
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20
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Mesquita JR, Santos-Ferreira N, Ferreira AS, Albuquerque C, Nóbrega C, Esteves F, Cruz R, Vala H, Nascimento MSJ. Increased risk of hepatitis E virus infection in workers occupationally exposed to sheep. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:1918-1921. [PMID: 32090484 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an enteric RNA virus from the family Hepeviridae with five genotypes (genotypes 1-4 and 7) known to infect humans. HEV infection is known to have a zoonotic swine origin in industrialized countries. The role of pigs and wild boars as major reservoirs for human infection is today well-established; however, the list of new animal reservoirs is ever-expanding as new HEV strains are continuously being found in a broad host range. The recent detection of HEV in sheep stools brings concerns on the possibility of HEV transmission from these animals to humans, particularly in those occupationally exposed. The present work investigated the potential occupational risk of HEV infection in shepherds and sheep milk cheesemakers-workers occupationally exposed to ovine (WOEOs; N = 96)-from a region of the Centre of Portugal ('Serra da Estrela') based on the differences of anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence rates between these professionals and the general population (N = 192). The presence of HEV-specific antibodies in sheep (N = 90) from the same region was also evaluated. The HEV seroprevalence in WOEOs (29.3%) was found to be significantly higher (p = .0198) when compared with population controls (16.1%) which suggests an increased risk for HEV infection in these workers. HEV-specific antibodies were also found in 16.6% of the studied sheep showing that HEV circulates in these animals. Further studies are needed to confirm the zoonotic potential of sheep HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- João R Mesquita
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Ana S Ferreira
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Albuquerque
- Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, UNICISA-E, CIEC, CI&DEI Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
- Centre for Studies in Education, Technologies and Health, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Cármen Nóbrega
- Centre for Studies in Education, Technologies and Health, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
- Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Fernando Esteves
- Centre for Studies in Education, Technologies and Health, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
- Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Rita Cruz
- Centre for Studies in Education, Technologies and Health, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
- Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Helena Vala
- Centre for Studies in Education, Technologies and Health, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
- Escola Superior Agrária, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Viseu, Portugal
| | - Maria S J Nascimento
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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The Current Host Range of Hepatitis E Viruses. Viruses 2019; 11:v11050452. [PMID: 31108942 PMCID: PMC6563279 DOI: 10.3390/v11050452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen transmitting both human to human via the fecal oral route and from animals to humans through feces, direct contact, and consumption of contaminated meat products. Understanding the host range of the virus is critical for determining where potential threats to human health may be emerging from and where potential reservoirs for viral persistence in the environment may be hiding. Initially thought to be a human specific disease endemic to developing countries, the identification of swine as a primary host for genotypes 3 and 4 HEV in industrialized countries has begun a long journey of discovering novel strains of HEV and their animal hosts. As we continue identifying new strains of HEV in disparate animal species, it is becoming abundantly clear that HEV has a broad host range and many of these HEV strains can cross between differing animal species. These cross-species transmitting strains pose many unique challenges to human health as they are often unrecognized as sources of viral transmission.
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22
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García-Bocanegra I, Rivero A, Caballero-Gómez J, López-López P, Cano-Terriza D, Frías M, Jiménez-Ruiz S, Risalde MA, Gómez-Villamandos JC, Rivero-Juarez A. Hepatitis E virus infection in equines in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 66:66-71. [PMID: 30047239 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E (HE) is an important emerging disease in European countries. To analyse the role of equids as potential reservoirs for HE virus (HEV), we determined the prevalence of HEV infection in 861 equines from 464 herds in Spain. HEV RNA in serum was detected in 0.4% (3/692) of horses, 1.2% (1/86) of donkeys and 3.6% (3/83) of mules. Phylogenetic analysis identified the zoonotic genotype 3 as being closely related to viral human and swine strains. In this first report on HEV in equids in Europe, we confirm the susceptibility of horses, donkeys and mules to HEV infection. The low prevalence detected indicates that equids may be considered spillover hosts rather than true reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain
| | | | - Pedro López-López
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain
| | | | - Mario Frías
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain
| | | | - Maria A Risalde
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain
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23
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Tritz SE, Khounvisith V, Pommasichan S, Ninnasopha K, Keosengthong A, Phoutana V, Camoin M, Hübschen JM, Black AP, Muller CP, Snoeck CJ, Pauly M. Evidence of increased Hepatitis E virus exposure in Lao villagers with contact to ruminants. Zoonoses Public Health 2018; 65:690-701. [PMID: 29888475 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although pigs are the main reservoir, ruminants have also been shown to be susceptible to hepatitis E virus (HEV). We investigated zoonotic transmission of HEV in rural settings of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) where humans are in close contacts with ruminants and where pigs are rare. Villagers with (n = 171, risk group) and without (n = 155, control group) cattle were recruited in seven villages in Vientiane Capital. Owners of pigs were excluded. Blood, as well as information on socio-demographics, animal contact, dietary habits and awareness of zoonoses were collected to assess risk factors. Blood and rectal swabs were collected from cattle (n = 173) and other ruminants (27 goat, 5 buffaloes) to measure anti-HEV antibody and virus prevalence. A similar anti-HEV antibody seroprevalence was found in cattle (6.8%) and other ruminants (8%). HEV RNA was detected in none of the animal rectal swabs and human sera. Anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was higher in cattle farmers than in the control group (59.1% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.008) and increased significantly with age. Other risk factors included male gender, close contact with cattle and consumption of undercooked meat. We find that HEV is highly endemic in rural Laos and provide first evidence that HEV circulates in free-roaming ruminants with open access to village water sources. Despite some awareness about hygiene, villagers are likely constantly exposed to zoonotic diseases by dietary and lifestyle habits. Cattle farmers had a higher risk of HEV infection than other villagers. Our study highlights the need to raise the awareness of the rural population about water- and food-borne pathogens, and about the role of cattle as a possible source of infection. The knowledge gained on local risk factors and husbandry conditions should guide future awareness raising campaigns and promote appropriate hygienic measures including handwashing and the consumption of safe food and water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia E Tritz
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Vilaysone Khounvisith
- Lao-Lux-Laboratory, Institute Pasteur du Laos, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Sisavath Pommasichan
- The Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos - Nabong Campus, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Khampasong Ninnasopha
- The Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos - Nabong Campus, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Amphone Keosengthong
- The Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos - Nabong Campus, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Vannaphone Phoutana
- The Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos - Nabong Campus, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Margot Camoin
- Veterinarians without Borders-Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Judith M Hübschen
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Antony P Black
- Lao-Lux-Laboratory, Institute Pasteur du Laos, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Claude P Muller
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.,Lao-Lux-Laboratory, Institute Pasteur du Laos, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.,Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Chantal J Snoeck
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
| | - Maude Pauly
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
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24
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O'Gorman J, Burke Á, O'Flaherty N. Hepatitis E virus - key points for the clinical haematologist. Br J Haematol 2018; 181:579-589. [PMID: 29468650 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.15133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In recent years there has been a paradigm shift in our understanding of the epidemiology and clinical features of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Once classically described as an acute hepatitis associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas of poor sanitation, HEV is now recognised to be endemic in Europe and is probably zoonotic in origin. Evidence for transfusion-transmitted HEV has prompted the introduction of blood donor screening in a number of countries, but the risk to the haematology patient from food sources remains. The aim of this review therefore, is to equip the clinical haematologist with the knowledge required to diagnose HEV infection and to aid decision-making in patient management. The article also provides information on addressing patient concerns about their risk of acquiring hepatitis E and how this risk can be mitigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne O'Gorman
- Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Áine Burke
- Consultant Haematologist, Sligo University Hospital, Sligo, Ireland
| | - Niamh O'Flaherty
- Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Dublin 8, Ireland
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25
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Obaidat MM, Roess AA. Seroprevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis E infection in Jordan’s population: First report. Int J Infect Dis 2018; 66:121-125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2017.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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26
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Spahr C, Knauf-Witzens T, Vahlenkamp T, Ulrich RG, Johne R. Hepatitis E virus and related viruses in wild, domestic and zoo animals: A review. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 65:11-29. [PMID: 28944602 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a human disease mainly characterized by acute liver illness, which is caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Large hepatitis E outbreaks have been described in developing countries; however, the disease is also increasingly recognized in industrialized countries. Mortality rates up to 25% have been described for pregnant women during outbreaks in developing countries. In addition, chronic disease courses could be observed in immunocompromised transplant patients. Whereas the HEV genotypes 1 and 2 are mainly confined to humans, genotypes 3 and 4 are also found in animals and can be zoonotically transmitted to humans. Domestic pig and wild boar represent the most important reservoirs for these genotypes. A distinct subtype of genotype 3 has been repeatedly detected in rabbits and a few human patients. Recently, HEV genotype 7 has been identified in dromedary camels and in an immunocompromised transplant patient. The reservoir animals get infected with HEV without showing any clinical symptoms. Besides these well-known animal reservoirs, HEV-specific antibodies and/or the genome of HEV or HEV-related viruses have also been detected in many other animal species, including primates, other mammals and birds. In particular, genotypes 3 and 4 infections are documented in many domestic, wildlife and zoo animal species. In most cases, the presence of HEV in these animals can be explained by spillover infections, but a risk of virus transmission through contact with humans cannot be excluded. This review gives a general overview on the transmission pathways of HEV to humans. It particularly focuses on reported serological and molecular evidence of infections in wild, domestic and zoo animals with HEV or HEV-related viruses. The role of these animals for transmission of HEV to humans and other animals is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Spahr
- Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Gardens, Stuttgart, Germany.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - T Vahlenkamp
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - R G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - R Johne
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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Hepatitis E Virus in Industrialized Countries: The Silent Threat. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:9838041. [PMID: 28070522 PMCID: PMC5192302 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9838041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Its presence in developing countries has been documented for decades. Developed countries were supposed to be virus-free and initially only imported cases were detected in those areas. However, sporadic and autochthonous cases of HEV infection have been identified and studies reveal that the virus is worldwide spread. Chronic hepatitis and multiple extrahepatic manifestations have also been associated with HEV. We review the data from European countries, where human, animal, and environmental data have been collected since the 90s. In Europe, autochthonous HEV strains were first detected in the late 90s and early 2000s. Since then, serological data have shown that the virus infects quite frequently the European population and that some species, such as pigs, wild boars, and deer, are reservoirs. HEV strains can be isolated from environmental samples and reach the food chain, as shown by the detection of the virus in mussels and in contaminated pork products as sausages or meat. All these data highlight the need of studies directed to control the sources of HEV to protect immunocompromised individuals that seem the weakest link of the HEV epidemiology in industrialized regions.
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28
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Di Martino B, Di Profio F, Melegari I, Sarchese V, Robetto S, Marsilio F, Martella V. Detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in goats. Virus Res 2016; 225:69-72. [PMID: 27647265 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. Genotypes 1 and 2 are restricted to humans, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 also occur in animals and are recognized as zoonotic pathogens. In this study, by screening goat faecal samples collected from six small farms located in the province of Teramo (Abruzzo region, Italy), HEV RNA was found with an overall prevalence of 9.2% (11/119). Upon sequence analysis of a 0.8kb portion of the ORF2 gene, four strains were grouped with animal and human genotype 3 HEVs, subtype c, with the highest match (94.2-99.4% nt identity) to a wild boar strain, WB/P6-15/ITA, identified in the same geographical area in which the six goat farms were located. Further investigations are needed in order to assess if goat may represent an additional active host for HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Di Martino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy.
| | | | - Irene Melegari
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sarchese
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy
| | - Serena Robetto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Malattie degli Animali Selvatici (CeRMAS), Italy
| | - Fulvio Marsilio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
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29
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Zhang Y, Wang L, Zeng H, Gong W, Wang L, Zhuang H. Development and validation of a new serum standard for the measurement of anti-HEV antibodies in animals. J Med Virol 2016; 89:497-501. [PMID: 27487450 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24651] [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] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Although hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a zoonosis, there is, currently, no standardized assay for quantitatively measuring anti-HEV antibody levels in HEV animal reservoirs. In this study, anti-HEV antibody positive serum from a rabbit (RS26) was calibrated by dose-response parallel line assay using the World Health Organization (WHO) reference standard for anti-HEV antibodies. After evaluating the stability of the RS26 serum, a quantification assay of anti-HEV antibodies using RS26 as a standard was developed and evaluated for both reproducibility and suitability to field studies. The anti-HEV antibody level of RS26 was calculated to be 39.54 IU/ml. A series of standard working serum for anti-HEV antibodies consisted of five serum dilutions (3.950 IU/ml, 1.975 IU/ml, 0.986 IU/ml, 0.494 IU/ml, and 0.247 IU/ml). The quantitative assay using RS26 showed good range and reproducibility, effectively measuring the dynamics of anti-HEV antibody concentrations in pigs and rabbits. In conclusion, we have developed a a stable and reproducible serum standard for the quantitation of anti-HEV antibodies. J. Med. Virol. 89:497-501, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Center of Infectious Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Center of Infectious Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Zeng
- Department of Microbiology and Center of Infectious Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wanyun Gong
- Department of Microbiology and Center of Infectious Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Center of Infectious Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Center of Infectious Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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30
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Swine and rabbits are the main reservoirs of hepatitis E virus in China: detection of HEV RNA in feces of farmed and wild animals. Arch Virol 2015; 160:2791-8. [PMID: 26303139 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is recognized as a zoonosis. The prevalence of HEV RNA and anti-HEV antibodies in many animal species has been reported, but the host range of HEV is unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate HEV infection in various animal species and to determine the reservoirs of HEV. Eight hundred twenty-two fecal samples from 17 mammal species and 67 fecal samples from 24 avian species were collected in China and tested for HEV RNA by RT-nPCR. The products of PCR were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. The positive rates of HEV RNA isolated from pigs in Beijing, Shandong, and Henan were 33%, 30%, and 92%, respectively, and that from rabbits in Beijing was 5%. HEV RNA was not detectable in farmed foxes, sheep or sika deer, or in wild animals in zoos, including wild boars, yaks, camels, Asiatic black bears, African lions, red pandas, civets, wolves, jackals and primates. Sequence analysis revealed that swine isolates had 97.8%-98.4% nucleotide sequence identity to genotype 4d isolates from patients in Shandong and Jiangsu of China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that swine HEV isolates belong to genotype 4, including subgenotype 4h in Henan and 4d in Beijing and Shandong. The rabbit HEV strains shared 93%-99% nucleotide sequence identity with rabbit strains isolated from Inner Mongolia. In conclusion, swine and rabbits have been confirmed to be the main reservoirs of HEV in China.
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Liu X, Saito M, Sayama Y, Suzuki E, Malbas FF, Galang HO, Furuse Y, Saito M, Li T, Suzuki A, Oshitani H. Seroprevalence and molecular characteristics of hepatitis E virus in household-raised pig population in the Philippines. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:11. [PMID: 25622684 PMCID: PMC4312430 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0322-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a significant public health concern in Asia, and swine is an important source of sporadic HEV infection in human. However, no epidemiological data are available regarding HEV infection among the swine or human population in the Philippines. To assess the HEV infection status among pigs in rural areas, we investigated the molecular characteristics and seroprevalence of HEV among household-raised pigs in San Jose, Tarlac Province, the Philippines. Result Serum and rectal swab samples were collected from 299 pigs aged 2–24 months from 155 households in four barangays (villages) between July 2010 and June 2011. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that 50.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 44.5–56.2%] and 22.9% (95% CI 18.2–28.1%) of pigs tested positive for anti-HEV IgG and IgM, respectively. HEV RNA was detected in the feces of 22 pigs (7.4%, 95% CI 4.7–10.9%). A total of 103 households (66.5%, 95% CI 58.4–73.8%) had at least one pig that tested positive for anti-HEV IgG or IgM or HEV RNA. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM in breeding pig (8–24 months) were higher than that in growing pigs (2–4 months) (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.008, respectively). HEV RNA was more frequently detected in 2–4-month-old pigs (9.2%, 95% CI 5.4–14.6%) than in ≥5-month-old pigs (4.8%, 95% CI 1.1–8.5%) without statistical significance (p = 0.142). HEV RNA showed 0–27.6% nucleotide difference at the partial ORF2 gene among the detected viruses, and a majority of them belonged to subtype 3a (20/22, 90.9%). Conclusion We found a high prevalence of HEV antibodies in the household-raised pig population in rural areas of the Philippines, which indicates the potential risk of HEV infection among local residents. Only genotype 3 of HEV was observed, and genetically diverse strains of HEV were found to be circulating in pigs in this study. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0322-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Liu
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Mariko Saito
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan. .,Tohoku-RITM Collaborating Research Center on Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, RITM compound, FCC, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, 1781, Philippines.
| | - Yusuke Sayama
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Ellie Suzuki
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Fedelino F Malbas
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, FCC, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, 1781, Philippines.
| | - Hazel O Galang
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, FCC, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, 1781, Philippines.
| | - Yuki Furuse
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Mayuko Saito
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Tiancheng Li
- Depatment of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1Gakuen, Musashimurayama-shi, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan.
| | - Akira Suzuki
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Oshitani
- Department of Virology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan. .,Tohoku-RITM Collaborating Research Center on Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, RITM compound, FCC, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, 1781, Philippines.
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Andraud M, Casas M, Pavio N, Rose N. Early-life hepatitis e infection in pigs: the importance of maternally-derived antibodies. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105527. [PMID: 25144763 PMCID: PMC4140806 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Passive immunity (PI), acquired through colostrum intake, is essential for piglet protection against pathogens. Maternally-derived antibodies (MDAs) can decrease the transmission of pathogens between individuals by reducing shedding from infected animals and/or susceptibility of naïve animals. Only a limited number of studies, however, have been carried out to quantify the level of protection conferred by PI in terms of transmission. In the present study, an original modeling framework was designed to estimate parameters governing the transmission of infectious agents in the presence and absence of PI. This epidemiological model accounts for the distribution of PI duration and two different forces of infection depending on the serological status of animals after colostrum intake. A Bayesian approach (Metropolis-Hastings algorithm) was used for parameter estimation. The impact of PI on hepatitis E virus transmission in piglets was investigated using longitudinal serological data from six pig farms. A strong impact of PI was highlighted, the efficiency of transmission being on average 13 times lower in piglets with maternally-derived antibodies than in fully susceptible animals (range: 5–21). Median infection-free survival ages, based on herd-specific estimates, ranged between 8.7 and 13.8 weeks in all but one herd. Indeed, this herd exhibited a different profile with a relatively low prevalence of infected pigs (50% at slaughter age) despite the similar proportions of passively immune individuals after colostrum intake. These results suggest that the age at HEV infection is not strictly dependent upon the proportion of piglets with PI but is also linked to farm-specific husbandry (mingling of piglets after weaning) and hygiene practices. The original methodology developed here, using population-based longitudinal serological data, was able to demonstrate the relative impact of MDAs on the transmission of infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Andraud
- Pig Epidemiology and Welfare Unit, Anses, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané, Ploufragan, France
- Université Européenne de Bretagne, Rennes, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Maribel Casas
- Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nicole Pavio
- UMR 1161 Virology, Anses, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
- UMR 1161 Virology, INRA, Maisons-Alfort, France
- UMR 1161 Virology, Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d′Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nicolas Rose
- Pig Epidemiology and Welfare Unit, Anses, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané, Ploufragan, France
- Université Européenne de Bretagne, Rennes, France
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Ponterio E, Di Bartolo I, Orrù G, Liciardi M, Ostanello F, Ruggeri FM. Detection of serum antibodies to hepatitis E virus in domestic pigs in Italy using a recombinant swine HEV capsid protein. BMC Vet Res 2014; 10:133. [PMID: 24934984 PMCID: PMC4073516 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been detected in both humans and animals, particularly pigs, worldwide. Several evidences, including human infection following consumption of raw contaminated meat, suggest a zoonotic transmission of HEV. In Italy, large circulation of genotype 3 HEV has been reported in swine, and recent studies have confirmed the involvement of this genotype in autochthonous human cases. RESULT In this study 111 sera collected from healthy pigs in two Italian regions were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. For specific HEV antibody detection in swine, we developed ELISA and Western blotting methods, using a truncated capsid (ORF2) protein lacking the first 111 amino acids of a swine HEV genotype 3 strain. The ORF2-based ELISA revealed anti-HEV antibodies in 104 out of 111 pigs compared with 102 detected with a commercial ELISA kit. A lower number of sera reacted with the recombinant ORF2 protein in a Western blotting format (81/111). Using a Latent class analysis (LCA), the estimated sensitivities for ELISA-ORF2 and ELISA-kit tests were 0.961 and 0.936, respectively, whereas specificities were 0.599 and 0.475. The estimated sensitivity of Western blotting was 0.775, and the specificity was 0.944. CONCLUSIONS The overall results confirm the high prevalence of HEV seropositive healthy pigs in Italy. Through comparisons with a commercial ELISA test, the swine genotype 3 HEV antigen produced in this study was proven suitable to detect anti-HEV antibodies in pig sera by both ELISA and Western Blotting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Franco Maria Ruggeri
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Liang H, Wang H, Zhang L, Gu H, Zhang G. Development of a novel immunoperoxidase monolayer assay for detection of swine Hepatitis E virus antibodies based on stable cell lines expressing the ORF3 protein. Acta Vet Hung 2014; 62:243-56. [PMID: 24334082 DOI: 10.1556/avet.2013.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains are classified into 4 genotypes by nucleotide sequencing. Genotypes 3 and 4 infect humans and animals via HEV-contaminated food or water. HEV RNA was detected by PCR and antibodies were detected by ELISA. Since human studies showed that HEV IgG antibodies in sera can persist for extended periods, diagnosis of HEV infection in swine or humans is mainly based on serological detection using commercial ELISA kits. However, there is no supplemental method to verify ELISA results. Hence, we developed a novel method used for mutual correction of these common processes. Here, a modified stable HepG2 cell line was transfected with pcDNA3.1-ORF3 to express the swine HEV ORF3 protein. Based on this cell line, a novel immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA) was developed to detect antibodies against HEV. The results show that this method has good specificity, sensitivity and repeatability. When used to investigate 141 porcine serum samples, the IPMA had a coincidence rate of 92.2% with a commercial ELISA kit. The established IPMA described herein is valuable as a supplemental method to ELISA and can differentiate infections by HEV and other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanbin Liang
- 1 South China Agricultural University MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine Development, College of Veterinary Medicine 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Heng Wang
- 1 South China Agricultural University MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine Development, College of Veterinary Medicine 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Liangquan Zhang
- 1 South China Agricultural University MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine Development, College of Veterinary Medicine 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Honglang Gu
- 1 South China Agricultural University MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine Development, College of Veterinary Medicine 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District Guangzhou 510642 China
| | - Guihong Zhang
- 1 South China Agricultural University MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine Development, College of Veterinary Medicine 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District Guangzhou 510642 China
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Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in humans living in high pig density areas of Germany. Med Microbiol Immunol 2014; 203:273-82. [PMID: 24744181 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-014-0336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
An increase in acute autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections has been recorded in Germany. These are suspected to be zoonotically transmitted from wild boar, deer and domestic pig. The latter may represent a major reservoir for HEV. In this study, 537 sera from humans living in Westphalia and Lower Saxony, representing areas of high pig density in Germany, were tested for the presence of HEV-specific antibodies. Among them were 302 individuals with occupational, direct contact to pigs and 235 individuals without direct contact to pigs. Two commercial tests and one in-house assay were applied for the detection of HEV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Sera were also tested in an assay that detects all classes of HEV-specific antibodies. Depending on the test used, the seroprevalence ranged from 4.1 to 27.9 %. Exposition to pigs was found to be associated with a significantly higher seroprevalence in subjects with contact to pigs (13.2-32.8 %) compared with that in non-exposed humans (7.7-21.7 %). In particular, individuals younger than 40 years with occupational exposure exhibited a markedly higher HEV seroprevalence compared with non-exposed individuals of that age group. In general, HEV seroprevalence increased with age resulting in a similar prevalence level in the age group of ≥ 50 years for exposed and non-exposed individuals. Analysis of all sera by a commercial anti-HEV IgM ELISA revealed 35 positive and 25 borderline samples. However, only one positive serum could be confirmed by an IgM line assay. Selected samples from IgM and/or IgG as well as total HEV antibody-positive individuals were also tested for the presence of HEV RNA. In one of the 78 samples, the only IgM ELISA positive and IgM line assay confirmed sample, RNA of HEV genotype 3 was detected. This sequence has high similarity to HEV sequences obtained from wild boars and domestic pigs from Germany and The Netherlands. This study demonstrates that in addition to the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, direct contact to pigs has to be considered as an additional risk factor for HEV infection.
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36
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Takahashi M, Okamoto H. Features of hepatitis E virus infection in humans and animals in Japan. Hepatol Res 2014; 44:43-58. [PMID: 23721425 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In Japan, hepatitis E had long been considered to be a rare liver disease which can be accidentally imported from endemic countries in Asia and Africa, where the sanitation conditions are suboptimal. However, since the identification of the first autochthonous hepatitis E case and hepatitis E viremic domestic pigs in Japan in 2001, our understanding of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in this country has been changing markedly. This has largely been due to the development of serological and gene-based diagnostic assays, the accumulation of molecular epidemiological findings on HEV infection in humans and animals (as potential reservoirs for HEV in humans) and the recognition of the importance of zoonotic food-borne and other routes of transmission of HEV, including blood-borne transmission. Although it is now evident that autochthonous hepatitis E in Japan is far more common than was previously thought, clinical and subclinical HEV infections indigenous to Japan remain underdiagnosed and their prevalence is still underestimated due to the presence of unknown transmission routes and a low awareness of the infection status by many physicians in Japan. This review focuses on the features of HEV infection in humans and animals, as definitive or potential reservoirs for HEV, in Japan, and updates the current knowledge on the routes of transmission, including zoonotic routes, which are important for the maintenance and spread of HEV in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
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Risk factors associated with the presence of hepatitis E virus in livers and seroprevalence in slaughter-age pigs: a retrospective study of 90 swine farms in France. Epidemiol Infect 2013; 142:1934-44. [PMID: 24284046 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268813003063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The frequency of sporadic cases of hepatitis E in humans in developed countries has increased in recent years. The consumption of raw or undercooked pig liver-based products has been identified as an important source of human infection. The question of possible massive human exposure to this zoonotic agent has been raised by the high prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in swine herds. However, little is known about the epidemiology of HEV on pig farms. A retrospective study, based on a previous prevalence study of 185 farms, was conducted on 90 farms located in Western France, randomly selected from this database, to identify factors associated with the presence of HEV in pig livers and HEV seroprevalence in slaughter-age pigs. At least one HEV RNA-positive liver was found in 30% of the sampled farms while seroprevalence in slaughter-age pigs at the farm level reached almost 75%. Different factors were associated with the two conditions. The risk of having HEV-positive livers was increased by early slaughter, genetic background, lack of hygiene measures and surface origin of drinking water. High HEV seroprevalence was associated with mingling practices at the nursery stage and hygiene conditions. These results can be used to determine on-farm measures to reduce within-farm HEV spread and infection of slaughter-age pigs.
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Baechlein C, Meemken D, Pezzoni G, Engemann C, Grummer B. Expression of a truncated hepatitis E virus capsid protein in the protozoan organism Leishmania tarentolae and its application in a serological assay. J Virol Methods 2013; 193:238-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2013.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Abstract
A risk ranking process identified Toxoplasma gondii and pathogenic verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) as the most relevant biological hazards for meat inspection of sheep and goats. As these are not detected by traditional meat inspection, a meat safety assurance system using risk-based interventions was proposed. Further studies are required on T. gondii and pathogenic VTEC. If new information confirms these hazards as a high risk to public health from meat from sheep or goats, setting targets at carcass level should be considered. Other elements of the system are risk-categorisation of flocks/herds based on improved Food Chain Information (FCI), classification of abattoirs according to their capability to reduce faecal contamination, and use of improved process hygiene criteria. It is proposed to omit palpation and incision from post-mortem inspection in animals subjected to routine slaughter. For chemical hazards, dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls were ranked as being of high potential concern. Monitoring programmes for chemical hazards should be more flexible and based on the risk of occurrence, taking into account FCI, which should be expanded to reflect the extensive production systems used, and the ranking of chemical substances, which should be regularly updated and include new hazards. Control programmes across the food chain, national residue control plans, feed control and monitoring of environmental contaminants should be better integrated. Meat inspection is a valuable tool for surveillance and monitoring of animal health and welfare conditions. Omission of palpation and incision would reduce detection effectiveness for tuberculosis and fasciolosis at animal level. Surveillance of tuberculosis at the slaughterhouse in small ruminants should be improved and encouraged, as this is in practice the only surveillance system available. Extended use of FCI could compensate for some, but not all, the information on animal health and welfare lost if only visual post-mortem inspection is applied.
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40
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Wang S, Dong C, Dai X, Cheng X, Liang J, Dong M, Purdy MA, Meng J. Hepatitis E virus isolated from rabbits is genetically heterogeneous but with very similar antigenicity to human HEV. J Med Virol 2013; 85:627-35. [PMID: 23364756 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Rabbit hepatitis E virus (HEV) in China may represent a novel HEV genotype, although no consensus has been reached. It is unclear whether the ORF2 capsid protein containing the immunodominant epitopes from rabbit HEV differs from those of human HEV. In this study, 661 bile samples collected from domestic rabbits in Jiangsu province, eastern China were amplified by RT-nPCR using a set of HEV universal ORF2 primers. All 42 (6.4%) positive PCR products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis using the ORF2 sequences of 557 bp in length showed the Jiangsu isolates were separate from HEV genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, avian HEV and rat HEV, and clustered together with rabbit HEV sequences. These 42 isolates were divided into five branches including two newly identified in the present study. Comparison with rabbit HEV sequences from China available in GenBank, using a 298 bp ORF2 segment, showed these sequences clustered together into a unique rabbit HEV clade, and were divided into eight sub-branches with high genetic heterogeneity. In addition, 267 serum samples collected from domestic rabbits, serial serum samples from two rhesus monkeys experimentally infected with HEV genotype 1 or 4, and serial serum samples from two New-Zealand rabbits infected experimentally with rabbit HEV were tested simultaneously by EIA using recombinant truncated ORF2 capsid proteins derived from rabbit and human HEV. The virtually identical results obtained suggest that rabbit and human HEV ORF2 antigens contain very similar immunodominant epitopes. All these data are helpful to identify the biological characteristics of the newly identified rabbit HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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41
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Sanford BJ, Emerson SU, Purcell RH, Engle RE, Dryman BA, Cecere TE, Buechner-Maxwell V, Sponenberg DP, Meng XJ. Serological evidence for a hepatitis e virus-related agent in goats in the United States. Transbound Emerg Dis 2012; 60:538-45. [PMID: 22909079 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes an important public health disease in many developing countries and is also endemic in some industrialized countries. In addition to humans, strains of HEV have been genetically identified from pig, chicken, rat, mongoose, deer, rabbit and fish. While the genotypes 1 and 2 HEV are restricted to humans, the genotypes 3 and 4 HEV are zoonotic and infect humans and other animal species. As a part of our ongoing efforts to search for potential animal reservoirs for HEV, we tested goats from Virginia for evidence of HEV infection and showed that 16% (13/80) of goat sera from Virginia herds were positive for IgG anti-HEV. Importantly, we demonstrated that neutralizing antibodies to HEV were present in selected IgG anti-HEV positive goat sera. Subsequently, in an attempt to genetically identify the HEV-related agent from goats, we conducted a prospective study in a closed goat herd with known anti-HEV seropositivity and monitored a total of 11 kids from the time of birth until 14 weeks of age for evidence of HEV infection. Seroconversion to IgG anti-HEV was detected in seven of the 11 kids, although repeated attempts to detect HEV RNA by a broad-spectrum nested RT-PCR from the faecal and serum samples of the goats that had seroconverted were unsuccessful. In addition, we also attempted to experimentally infect laboratory goats with three well-characterized mammalian strains of HEV but with no success. The results indicate that a HEV-related agent is circulating and maintained in the goat population in Virginia and that the goat HEV is likely genetically very divergent from the known HEV strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Sanford
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA, USA
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42
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Echevarría JM, Fogeda M, Avellón A. Update of cases of acute hepatitis E confirmed by the National Centre of Microbiology (Spain, 2004-2011). Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2012; 31:57-8. [PMID: 22877513 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimc.2012.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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43
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Restricted enzooticity of hepatitis E virus genotypes 1 to 4 in the United States. J Clin Microbiol 2011; 49:4164-72. [PMID: 21998412 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.05481-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E is recognized as a zoonosis, and swine are known reservoirs, but how broadly enzootic its causative agent, hepatitis E virus (HEV), is remains controversial. To determine the prevalence of HEV infection in animals, a serological assay with capability to detect anti-HEV-antibody across a wide variety of animal species was devised. Recombinant antigens comprising truncated capsid proteins generated from HEV-subgenomic constructs that represent all four viral genotypes were used to capture anti-HEV in the test sample and as an analyte reporter. To facilitate development and validation of the assay, serum samples were assembled from blood donors (n = 372), acute hepatitis E patients (n = 94), five laboratory animals (rhesus monkey, pig, New Zealand rabbit, Wistar rat, and BALB/c mouse) immunized with HEV antigens, and four pigs experimentally infected with HEV. The assay was then applied to 4,936 sera collected from 35 genera of animals that were wild, feral, domesticated, or otherwise held captive in the United States. Test positivity was determined in 457 samples (9.3%). These originated from: bison (3/65, 4.6%), cattle (174/1,156, 15%), dogs (2/212, 0.9%), Norway rats (2/318, 0.6%), farmed swine (267/648, 41.2%), and feral swine (9/306, 2.9%). Only the porcine samples yielded the highest reactivities. HEV RNA was amplified from one farmed pig and two feral pigs and characterized by nucleotide sequencing to belong to genotype 3. HEV infected farmed swine primarily, and the role of other animals as reservoirs of its zoonotic spread appears to be limited.
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44
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Zhang H, Mohn U, Prickett JR, Schalk S, Motz M, Halbur PG, Feagins AR, Meng XJ, Opriessnig T. Differences in capabilities of different enzyme immunoassays to detect anti-hepatitis E virus immunoglobulin G in pigs infected experimentally with hepatitis E virus genotype 3 or 4 and in pigs with unknown exposure. J Virol Methods 2011; 175:156-62. [PMID: 21596064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 04/25/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in humans in many developing countries, is highly prevalent in the pig population worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the capability of three porcine prototypes of a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), an in-house ELISA and a line-immunoassay (LIA) to detect anti-HEV antibodies in pigs infected experimentally with HEV (n = 57), known to be negative for HEV infection (n = 27), or with unknown exposure to HEV infection (field samples, n = 90). All 27 samples from non-infected pigs were negative with all five assays. The earliest detection of anti-HEV antibodies occurred at 14 days post-inoculation (dpi) with four of five assays. From 42 dpi, all samples from infected pigs were detected correctly as anti-HEV positive. Kappa analysis demonstrated substantial agreement among tests (0.62-1.00) at 14 dpi and complete agreement (1.00) at 56 dpi. The overall area under the curve for all quantitative tests as determined by receiver operator characteristic analysis ranged from 0.794 to 0.831 indicating moderate accuracy. The results showed that all five assays can detect anti-HEV IgG antibodies accurately in pigs infected experimentally with HEV. In field samples, a higher prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was found in breeding herds than in growing pigs (100% versus 66.7-93.9%). These serological assays should be very useful in veterinary diagnostic labs for HEV diagnosis in swine.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA
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Boadella M, Casas M, Martín M, Vicente J, Segalés J, de la Fuente J, Gortázar C. Increasing contact with hepatitis E virus in red deer, Spain. Emerg Infect Dis 2011; 16:1994-6. [PMID: 21122241 PMCID: PMC3294580 DOI: 10.3201/eid1612.100557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To describe the epidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in red deer in mainland Spain, we tested red deer for HEV RNA and antibodies. Overall, 10.4% and 13.6% of serum samples were positive by ELISA and reverse transcription–PCR, respectively. The increasing prevalence suggests a potential risk for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Boadella
- Instituto de Investigacion en Recursos Cinegeticos (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.
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Meng XJ. From barnyard to food table: the omnipresence of hepatitis E virus and risk for zoonotic infection and food safety. Virus Res 2011; 161:23-30. [PMID: 21316404 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2011.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Revised: 01/27/2011] [Accepted: 01/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important but extremely understudied pathogen. The mechanisms of HEV replication and pathogenesis are poorly understood, and a vaccine against HEV is not yet available. HEV is classified in the family Hepeviridae consisting of at least four recognized major genotypes. Genotypes 1 and 2 HEV are restricted to humans and associated with epidemics in developing countries, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 HEV are zoonotic and responsible for sporadic cases worldwide. The identification and characterization of a number of animal strains of HEV from pigs, chickens, rabbits, rats, mongoose, deer, and possibly cattle and sheep have significantly broadened the host range and diversity of HEV. The demonstrated ability of cross-species infection by some animal strains of HEV raises public health concerns for zoonotic HEV infection. Pigs are a recognized reservoir for HEV, and pig handlers are at increased risk of zoonotic HEV infection. Sporadic cases of hepatitis E have been definitively linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked animal meats such as pig livers, sausages, and deer meats. In addition, since large amounts of viruses excreted in feces, animal manure land application and runoffs can contaminate irrigation and drinking water with concomitant contamination of produce or shellfish. HEV RNA of swine origin has been detected in swine manure, sewage water and oysters, and consumption of contaminated shellfish has also been implicated in sporadic cases of hepatitis E. Therefore, the animal strains of HEV pose not only a zoonotic risk but also food and environmental safety concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Jin Meng
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0913, USA.
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47
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To discuss recent advances in characterising viral Hepatitis E (HEV) in nonendemic regions, with a special focus on epidemiology in high-income countries, different clinical aspects of the disease, possible zoonotic origin of these cases and the improvement of Hepatitis E diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS In high-income countries, most cases of Hepatitis E are acquired locally and not imported from endemic regions. Different genotypes are involved in indigenous cases than those in endemic regions. Particular population groups, such as transplant recipients, can be persistently infected by hepatitis E and develop chronic diseases. Viral hepatitis E is frequently observed in people in animal care occupations. Indeed, HEV has a large animal reservoir and this emerging disease in developed countries has probably a zoonotic origin. SUMMARY Recent studies on viral Hepatitis E have shown that the epidemiology of the disease differs between endemic and nonendemic regions. Several lines of evidence suggest that Hepatitis E is more frequent than was suspected and that it has a possible animal origin. Particular attention must be paid to the possible chronic evolution of various forms of the disease. Surveillance of human cases and animal reservoirs must be developed further.
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48
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Casas M, Pina S, Peralta B, Mateu E, Casal J, Martín M. Comparison of muscle fluid and serum for detection of antibodies against hepatitis E virus in slaughter pigs. Vet J 2010; 190:179-80. [PMID: 21044852 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2010] [Revised: 09/27/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Muscle fluid was investigated as an alternative to serum for detecting anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies in slaughter pigs. Samples of serum and diaphragmatic muscle juice from 67 pigs were analysed by anti-HEV IgG ELISA. Compared to the serum ELISA, the ELISA on diaphragmatic muscle fluid had a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 91.7%, a κ value of 0.84 and a determination coefficient (R(2)) of 0.77; both tests had global agreement of results. Muscle fluid can be used as an alternative to serum for serological detection of HEV antibodies in slaughter pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maribel Casas
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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49
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Casas M, Cortés R, Pina S, Peralta B, Allepuz A, Cortey M, Casal J, Martín M. Longitudinal study of hepatitis E virus infection in Spanish farrow-to-finish swine herds. Vet Microbiol 2010; 148:27-34. [PMID: 20863630 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2010] [Revised: 08/04/2010] [Accepted: 08/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a zoonotic disease and is highly prevalent in European swine livestock. There is a need to compare the infection dynamics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) between herds with the same production system and determine the percentage of animals that could arrive infected at slaughter age. Therefore, a longitudinal study was performed in six Spanish farrow-to-finish affected farms. Twenty piglets per farm were monitored from nursery to slaughter. RT-PCR and serology techniques were applied to analyze longitudinally collected sera and/or faecal samples. Liver and bile samples were also taken at the abattoir. Anti-HEV IgM were firstly detected at 7 weeks of age in 5 farms whereas at 13 weeks of age in 1 farm (farm 2). At slaughter age 50-100% of pigs had seroconverted to anti-HEV IgG in the former 5 farms whereas in the other herd only 5% of pigs were IgG seropositive (farm 2). Six out of 96 livers and 5 out of 80 biles analyzed were HEV positive at the abattoir (total percentage of infected animals: 11.5%). All these positive animals had already seroconverted except 2 pigs of farm 2. Hence, pigs can be seronegative at slaughter age being infected during the latest fattening period. Manipulation of HEV-infected livers or other organs from pigs could be considered a possible route of transmission in Spanish abattoirs. This study represents the first longitudinal survey on swine HEV infection dynamics conducted in different herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maribel Casas
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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50
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A single amino acid substitution changes antigenicity of ORF2-encoded proteins of hepatitis E virus. Int J Mol Sci 2010; 11:2962-75. [PMID: 21152284 PMCID: PMC2996735 DOI: 10.3390/ijms11082962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2010] [Revised: 07/25/2010] [Accepted: 08/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive genomic diversity has been observed among hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains. However, the implication of the genetic heterogeneity on HEV antigenic properties is uncertain. In this study, monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against truncated ORF2-encoded proteins (aa452-617, designated p166 proteins) derived from HEV strains of Burma (genotype 1a, p166Bur), Pakistan (1b, p166Pak) and Morocco (1c, p166Mor) were raised and used for identification of HEV antigenic diversity. Six Mabs reacted to these 3 p166 proteins as well as p166 proteins constructed from strains derived from Mexico (genotype 2), US (genotype 3) and China (genotype 4), indicating the existence of pan-genotypic epitopes. Two Mabs, 1B5 and 6C7, reacted with p166Bur and p166Mor, but not p166Pak or p166s derived from genotypes 2, 3, and 4, indicating that these 2 Mabs recognized strain-specific HEV epitopes. Both the common and specific epitopes could not be mapped by 23 synthetic peptides spanning the p166Bur sequence, suggesting that they are confirmation-dependent. Comparative sequence analysis showed that p166Bur and p166Mor shared an identical aa sequence along their entire lengths, whereas for p166Pak the aas occupying positions 606 and 614 are different from aas at corresponding positions of p166Bur and p166Mor. Reactivity between 1B5 and p166Bur was abrogated with mutation of p166Bur/A606V, whereas p166Pak acquired the reactivity to 1B5 with mutation of p166Pak/V606A. However, mutations of p166Bur/L614M and P166Pak/M614L did not affect the immunoreactivity. Therefore, the aa occupying position 606 plays a critical role in maintaining the antigenicity of the HEV p166 proteins.
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