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Ding Q, Hu B, Yao X, Gan M, Chen D, Zhang N, Wei J, Cai K, Zheng Z. Prevalence and molecular characterization of hepatitis E virus (HEV) from wild rodents in Hubei Province, China. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 121:105602. [PMID: 38734397 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105602] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E, caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), is a global public health issue. Low similarity between the gene sequences of mouse and human HEV led to the belief that the risk of human infection was low. Recent reports of chronic and acute hepatitis E caused by murine HEV infection in humans in Hong Kong have raised global concerns. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the epidemiology and prevalence of HEV in China. We comprehensively analyzed different rodent HEV strains to understand rocahepevirus occurrence in Hubei Province, China. The HEV positivity rate for was 6.43% (73/1136). We identified seven near-full-length rocahepevirus strains and detected rat HEV antigens in tissues from different mouse species. HEV has extensive tissue tropism and a high viral load in the liver. We highlight the genetic diversity of HEVs in rodents and underscore the importance of paying attention to their variation and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwen Ding
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Bing Hu
- Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Xuan Yao
- Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Min Gan
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Dan Chen
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430024, China
| | - Nailou Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Jinbo Wei
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Kun Cai
- Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China.
| | - Zhenhua Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.
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Santos-Silva S, Moraes DFDSD, López-López P, Paupério J, Queirós J, Rivero-Juarez A, Lux L, Ulrich RG, Gonçalves HMR, Van der Poel WHM, Nascimento MSJ, Mesquita JR. Detection of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in an Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) in Portugal. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:1803-1812. [PMID: 38243141 PMCID: PMC11147874 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10293-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Virus monitoring in small mammals is central to the design of epidemiological control strategies for rodent-borne zoonotic viruses. Synanthropic small mammals are versatile and may be potential carriers of several microbial agents. In the present work, a total of 330 fecal samples of small mammals were collected at two sites in the North of Portugal and screened for zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV, species Paslahepevirus balayani). Synanthropic small mammal samples (n = 40) were collected in a city park of Porto and belonged to the species Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) (n = 26) and to the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) (n = 14). Furthermore, additional samples were collected in the Northeast region of Portugal and included Algerian mouse (n = 48), greater white-toothed shrew (n = 47), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) (n = 43), southwestern water vole (Arvicola sapidus) (n = 52), Cabrera's vole (Microtus cabrerae) (n = 49) and Lusitanian pine vole (Microtus lusitanicus) (n = 51). A nested RT-PCR targeting a part of open reading frame (ORF) 2 region of the HEV genome was used followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. HEV RNA was detected in one fecal sample (0.3%; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.01-1.68) from a synanthropic Algerian mouse that was genotyped as HEV-3, subgenotype 3e. This is the first study reporting the detection of HEV-3 in a synanthropic rodent, the Algerian mouse. The identified HEV isolate is probably the outcome of either a spill-over infection from domestic pigs or wild boars, or the result of passive viral transit through the intestinal tract. This finding reinforces the importance in the surveillance of novel potential hosts for HEV with a particular emphasis on synanthropic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Santos-Silva
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Pedro López-López
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joana Paupério
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Welcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - João Queirós
- CIBIO-Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua Campo Alegre s/n, Porto, 4169-007, Portugal
- EBM, Estação Biológica de Mértola, Mértola, 7750-329, Portugal
| | - António Rivero-Juarez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Virology and Zoonoses, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Lux
- University of Greifswald, Domstraße 11, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Helena M R Gonçalves
- REQUIMTE, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Biosensor NTech - Nanotechnology Services, Avenida da Liberdade, 249, 1º Andar, Lda, Lisboa, 1250-143, Portugal
| | - Wim H M Van der Poel
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Department Virology & Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | | | - João R Mesquita
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal.
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Xu L, Bie M, Li J, Zhou H, Hu T, Carr MJ, Lu L, Shi W. Isolation and characterization of a novel rodent hepevirus in long-tailed dwarf hamsters ( Cricetulus longicaudatus) in China. J Gen Virol 2024; 105. [PMID: 38767609 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepeviruses have been identified in a broad range of animal hosts, including mammals, birds, and fish. In this study, rodents (n=91) from seven different species and ten pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) were collected in Qinghai Province, China. Using transcriptomic sequencing and confirmatory molecular testing, hepeviruses were detected in 27 of 45 (60 %) long-tailed dwarf hamsters (Cricetulus longicaudatus) and were undetected in other rodents and pika. The complete genome sequences from 14 representative strains were subsequently obtained, and phylogenetic analyses suggested that they represent a novel species within the genus Rocahepevirus, which we tentatively designated as Cl-2018QH. The virus was successfully isolated in human hepatoma (Huh-7) and murine fibroblast (17 Cl-1) cell lines, though both exhibited limited replication as assayed by detection of negative-sense RNA intermediates. A129 immunodeficient mice were inoculated with Cl-2018QH and the virus was consistently detected in multiple organs, despite relatively low viral loads. In summary, this study has described a novel rodent hepevirus, which enhances our knowledge of the genetic diversity of rodent hepeviruses and highlights its potential for cross-species transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xu
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, PR China
| | - Mengyu Bie
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji'nan 250117, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, PR China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, PR China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, PR China
| | - Tao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases in Universities of Shandong, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian 271000, PR China
| | - Michael J Carr
- National Virus Reference Laboratory, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, D04 E1W1, Ireland
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Liang Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, PR China
| | - Weifeng Shi
- Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Virology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China
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Wu H, Zhou L, Wang F, Chen Z, Lu Y. Molecular epidemiology and phylogeny of the emerging zoonotic virus Rocahepevirus: A global genetic analysis. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 118:105557. [PMID: 38244748 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105557] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Human infections with Rocahepevirus ratti genotype C1 (HEV-C1) in Hong Kong of China, Canada, Spain, and France have drawn worldwide concern towards Rocahepevirus. This study conducted a global genetic analysis of Rocahepevirus, aiming to furnish comprehensive molecular insights and promote further research. We retrieved 817 Rocahepevirus sequences from the GenBank database through October 31, 2023, categorizing them according to research, sample collection area and date, genotype, host, and sequence length. Subsequently, we conducted descriptive epidemiological, phylogenetic evolutionary, and protein polymorphism (in length and identity) analyses on these sequences. Rocahepevirus genomes were identified across twenty-eight countries, predominantly in Asia (71.73%, 586/817) and Europe (26.44%, 216/817). The HEV-C1 dominates Rocahepevirus (77.2%, 631/817), while newly discovered Rocahepevirus genotypes (C3/C4/C5 and other unclassified genotypes) were primarily identified in Europe (25/120) and China (91/120). Muridae animals (72.5%, 592/817) serve as the primary hosts for Rocahepevirus, with other hosts encompassing species from the families Soricidae, Hominidae, Mustelidae, and Cricetidae. Additionally, Rocahepevirus genomes (C1 genotype) were identified in sewage samples recently. The phylogenetic evolution of Rocahepevirus exhibits considerable variation. Specifically, HEV-C1 can be classified into at least six genetic groups (G1 to G6), with human HEV-C1 distributed across multiple evolutionary clades. The overall ORF1 and ORF2 amino acid sequence lengths were significantly different (P < 0.001) across Rocahepevirus genotypes. HEV-C1/C2/C3 and HEV-C4/C5 displayed substantial differences in amino acid sequence identity (58.4%-59.6%). The identification of Rocahepevirus genomes has expanded across numerous countries, particularly in European and Asian countries, coinciding with an expanding host range and emergence of new genotypes. The evolutionary path of Rocahepevirus is intricate, where the HEV-C1 dominates globally and internally forms multiple evolutionary groups (G1 to G6), exhibiting diverse genetic variation within human HEV-C1. Significant differences exist in the protein polymorphism (in length and identity) across Rocahepevirus genotypes. Given Rocahepevirus's shift from an animal virus to a zoonotic pathogen, worldwide cooperation in monitoring Rocahepevirus genomes is vital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lu Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fengge Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zixiang Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yihan Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety (Fudan University), School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Casares-Jimenez M, Garcia-Garcia T, Suárez-Cárdenas JM, Perez-Jimenez AB, Martín MA, Caballero-Gómez J, Michán C, Corona-Mata D, Risalde MA, Perez-Valero I, Guerra R, Garcia-Bocanegra I, Rivero A, Rivero-Juarez A, Garrido JJ. Correlation of hepatitis E and rat hepatitis E viruses urban wastewater monitoring and clinical cases. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168203. [PMID: 37914110 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wastewater pathogen monitoring is useful for surveillance of enteric pathogens. Information about the presence of Paslahepevirus balayani (HEV) and emergent Rocahepevirus ratti (RHEV) in untreated water and their correlation with clinical cases is scarce. Aim To longitudinally monitor HEV and RHEV in wastewater and to evaluate their possible correlation with human cases. METHODS This study was carried out in the city of Cordoba (southern Spain) from March 2021 to March 2023. HEV and RHEV occurrence were evaluated by PCR in three sample types: i) sera from patients with acute hepatitis attended at the reference hospital, ii) liver and faeces from urban rodents, and iii) grab sewage samples collected weekly from the municipal wastewater treatment plant. RESULTS We analysed 106 untreated wastewater samples, 304 individuals with acute hepatitis, and 20 rodents. HEV and RHEV were detected in only one (0.9 %) and almost all samples (94.3 %) of wastewater samples, respectively. A total of 22 cases of acute HEV infection (7.2 %) and two cases of RHEV (0.7 %) were detected from all acute hepatitis cases observed. Only RHEV was found in rodents, with a positive frequency of 55 %. The presence of HEV in wastewater coincided with the detection of one case in which the same HEV genotype was isolated. A concentration of HEV clinical cases between June and July of 2022 was observed but not detected in water. Both RHEV clinical cases were detected in summer 2022, but no correlation was found with wastewater detection. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that there is no correlation between clinical cases and wastewater detection of HEV or RHEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Casares-Jimenez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
| | - Transito Garcia-Garcia
- Grupo de Inmunogenómica y Patogénesis Molecular, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - José M Suárez-Cárdenas
- Grupo de Inmunogenómica y Patogénesis Molecular, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Grupo GA-14, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ana B Perez-Jimenez
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Martín
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica e Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Departamento Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Sanidad Animal, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Carmen Michán
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Diana Corona-Mata
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain
| | - María A Risalde
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas y Toxicología, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Sanidad Animal, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio Perez-Valero
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Garcia-Bocanegra
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Departamento Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Sanidad Animal, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Cordoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan J Garrido
- Grupo de Inmunogenómica y Patogénesis Molecular, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Grupo GA-14, Córdoba, Spain
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Benavent S, Carlos S, Reina G. Rocahepevirus ratti as an Emerging Cause of Acute Hepatitis Worldwide. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2996. [PMID: 38138140 PMCID: PMC10745784 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a widespread human infection that causes mainly acute infection and can evolve to a chronic manifestation in immunocompromised individuals. In addition to the common strains of hepatitis E virus (HEV-A), known as Paslahepevirus balayani, pathogenic to humans, a genetically highly divergent rat origin hepevirus (RHEV) can cause hepatitis possessing a potential risk of cross-species infection and zoonotic transmission. Rocahepevirus ratti, formerly known as Orthohepevirus C, is a single-stranded RNA virus, recently reassigned to Rocahepevirus genus in the Hepeviridae family, including genotypes C1 and C2. RHEV primarily infects rats but has been identified as a rodent zoonotic virus capable of infecting humans through the consumption of contaminated food or water, causing both acute and chronic hepatitis cases in both animals and humans. This review compiles data concluding that 60% (295/489) of RHEV infections are found in Asia, being the continent with the highest zoonotic and transmission potential. Asia not only has the most animal cases but also 16 out of 21 human infections worldwide. Europe follows with 26% (128/489) of RHEV infections in animals, resulting in four human cases out of twenty-one globally. Phylogenetic analysis and genomic sequencing will be employed to gather global data, determine epidemiology, and assess geographical distribution. This information will enhance diagnostic accuracy, pathogenesis understanding, and help prevent cross-species transmission, particularly to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Benavent
- Microbiology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (G.R.)
| | - Silvia Carlos
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Reina
- Microbiology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.B.); (G.R.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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7
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Robinson SJ, Borlang J, Himsworth CG, Pearl DL, Weese JS, Dibernardo A, Osiowy C, Nasheri N, Jardine CM. Rat Hepatitis E Virus in Norway Rats, Ontario, Canada, 2018-2021. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1890-1894. [PMID: 37610234 PMCID: PMC10461677 DOI: 10.3201/eid2909.230517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We tested liver samples from 372 Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from southern Ontario, Canada, during 2018-2021 to investigate presence of hepatitis E virus infection. Overall, 21 (5.6%) rats tested positive for the virus. Sequence analysis demonstrated all infections to be rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti genotype C1).
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8
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Porea D, Raileanu C, Crivei LA, Gotu V, Savuta G, Pavio N. First Detection of Hepatitis E Virus ( Rocahepevirus ratti Genotype C1) in Synanthropic Norway Rats ( Rattus norvegicus) in Romania. Viruses 2023; 15:1337. [PMID: 37376636 DOI: 10.3390/v15061337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with different viral genera and species reported in a wide range of animals. Rodents, particularly rats, carry the specific genus rat HEV (Rocahepevirus genus, genotype C1) and are exposed occasionally to HEV-3 (Paslahepevirus genus, genotype 3), a zoonotic genotype identified in humans and widely distributed in domestic and feral pigs. In this study, the presence of HEV was investigated in synanthropic Norway rats from Eastern Romania, in areas where the presence of HEV-3 was previously reported in pigs, wild boars and humans. Using methods capable of detecting different HEV species, the presence of HEV RNA was investigated in 69 liver samples collected from 52 rats and other animal species. Nine rat liver samples were identified as being positive for rat HEV RNA (17.3%). High sequence identity (85-89% nt) was found with other European Rocahepevirus. All samples tested from other animal species, within the same environment, were negative for HEV. This is the first study to demonstrate the presence of HEV in rats from Romania. Since rat HEV has been reported to cause zoonotic infections in humans, this finding supports the need to extend the diagnosis of Rocahepevirus in humans with suspicion of hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Porea
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
- Laboratories and Research Stations Department, Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development, 820112 Tulcea, Romania
| | - Cristian Raileanu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Luciana Alexandra Crivei
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety Iași, University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Vasilica Gotu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gheorghe Savuta
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
- Regional Center of Advanced Research for Emerging Diseases, Zoonoses and Food Safety Iași, University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, Romania
| | - Nicole Pavio
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire de L'alimentation de L'environnement et du Travail (ANSES), Institut National de Recherche pour L'agriculture L'alimentation et L'environnement (INRAE), École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), UMR Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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9
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Detection of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Feces of Capybaras (Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris) in Brazil. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020335. [PMID: 36851548 PMCID: PMC9959927 DOI: 10.3390/v15020335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen associated with relevant public health issues. The aim of this study was to investigate HEV presence in free-living capybaras inhabiting urban parks in São Paulo state, Brazil. Molecular characterization of HEV positive samples was undertaken to elucidate the genetic diversity of the virus in these animals. A total of 337 fecal samples were screened for HEV using RT-qPCR and further confirmed by conventional nested RT-PCR. HEV genotype and subtype were determined using Sanger and next-generation sequencing. HEV was detected in one specimen (0.3%) and assigned as HEV-3f. The IAL-HEV_921 HEV-3f strain showed a close relationship to European swine, wild boar and human strains (90.7-93.2% nt), suggesting an interspecies transmission. Molecular epidemiology of HEV is poorly investigated in Brazil; subtype 3f has been reported in swine. This is the first report of HEV detected in capybara stool samples worldwide.
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10
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Takahashi M, Kunita S, Kawakami M, Kadosaka T, Fujita H, Takada N, Miyake M, Kobayashi T, Ohnishi H, Nagashima S, Murata K, Okamoto H. First Detection and Characterization of Rat Hepatitis E Virus (HEV-C1) in Japan. Virus Res 2022; 314:198766. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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11
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Parraud D, Lhomme S, Péron JM, Da Silva I, Tavitian S, Kamar N, Izopet J, Abravanel F. Rat Hepatitis E Virus: Presence in Humans in South-Western France? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:726363. [PMID: 34540871 PMCID: PMC8448288 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.726363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of hepatitis worldwide, and South-Western France is a high HEV seroprevalence area. While most cases of HEV infection are associated with the species Orthohepevirus-A, several studies have reported a few cases of HEV infections due to Orthohepevirus-C (HEV-C) that usually infects rats. Most of these human cases have occurred in immunocompromised patients. We have screened for the presence of HEV-C in our region. Methods and Results: We tested 224 sera, mostly from immunocompromised patients, for HEV-C RNA using an in-house real time RT-PCR. Liver function tests gave elevated results in 63% of patients: mean ALT was 159 IU/L (normal < 40 IU/L). Anti-HEV IgG (49%) and anti-HEV IgM (9.4%) were frequently present but none of the samples tested positive for HEV-C RNA. Conclusion: HEV-C does not circulate in the human population of South-Western France, despite the high seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Parraud
- Virology Laboratory, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis E Viruses, Federal Institute of Biology, University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Sébastien Lhomme
- Virology Laboratory, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis E Viruses, Federal Institute of Biology, University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity) INSERM UMR1291-CNRS UMR5051-Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean Marie Péron
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rangueil University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Isabelle Da Silva
- Virology Laboratory, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis E Viruses, Federal Institute of Biology, University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Suzanne Tavitian
- Department of Hematology, Cancer University Institute of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Nassim Kamar
- Departments of Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, Rangueil University Hospital, INSERM U1043, IFR-BMT, University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Izopet
- Virology Laboratory, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis E Viruses, Federal Institute of Biology, University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity) INSERM UMR1291-CNRS UMR5051-Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Florence Abravanel
- Virology Laboratory, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis E Viruses, Federal Institute of Biology, University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity) INSERM UMR1291-CNRS UMR5051-Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
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12
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Pankovics P, Boros Á, László Z, Szekeres S, Földvári G, Altan E, Delwart E, Reuter G. Genome characterization, prevalence and tissue distribution of astrovirus, hepevirus and norovirus among wild and laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and mice (Mus musculus) in Hungary. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 93:104942. [PMID: 34044191 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Rodents including rats are reservoir of several pathogens capable of affecting human health. In this study, faecal and different organ specimens from free-living Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) (N = 18) and faecal samples from laboratory rodents (rats N = 21 and mice N = 20) collected from different geographic areas in Hungary between 2017 and 2020 were investigated by viral metagenomics and conventional RT-PCR methods. The complete genome of three different RNA viruses, rat astrovirus, rat norovirus and rat hepevirus were characterized and analysed in detail. Rat norovirus was detected in faecal (17.6%, 3/17) and kidney (7.1%, 1/14) samples; rat astrovirus in faecal (23.5%, 4/17) and spleen (13.3%, 2/15) samples, and rat hepevirus in 43% to 67% the faecal, liver, kidney, lung, heart, muscle, brain and blood samples from Norway rats, respectively. Rat norovirus was also identifiable in 5% (1/21) of laboratory rats and rat astrovirus in 40% (8/20) of faecal samples from laboratory mice. Co-infections were found in 28% (5/18) wild Norway rats. The highest RNA viral load of astrovirus (1.81 × 108 copy/g) and norovirus (3.49 × 107 copy/g) were measured in faecal samples; while the highest RNA viral load of hepevirus (1.16 × 109 copy/g) was found in liver samples of Norway rats, respectively. This study confirms the wide geographic distribution and high prevalence of astrovirus, norovirus and hepevirus among wild rats in Hungary with confirmation of different organ involvement of as well as the detection of norovirus and astrovirus in laboratory rats and mice, respectively. This finding further strengthens the role of rodents in the spread of viral pathogens especially infecting human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Péter Pankovics
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Ákos Boros
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zoltán László
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Sándor Szekeres
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Institute of Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eda Altan
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Eric Delwart
- Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gábor Reuter
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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13
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Production of capsid proteins of rat hepatitis E virus in Escherichia coli and characterization of self-assembled virus-like particles. Virus Res 2021; 302:198483. [PMID: 34146611 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198483] [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: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been isolated from wild rats worldwide and the potential of zoonotic transmission has been documented. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is utilized as an effective system for producing HEV-like particles. However, the production of rat HEV ORF2 proteins in E. coli forming virus-like particles (VLPs) has not yet been reported. In this study, nine rat HEV ORF2 proteins of the ratELOMB-131L strain with truncated N- and C-termini (amino acids 339-594, 349-594, 351-594, 354-594, 357-594, 357-599, 357-604, 357-609, and 357-614 of ORF2 protein) were expressed in E. coli and the 357-614 protein self-assembled most efficiently. A bioanalyzer showed that the purified 357-614 protein has a molecular weight of 33.5 kDa and a purity of 93.2%. Electron microscopy revealed that the purified 33.5 kDa protein formed VLPs with a diameter of 21-52 (average 32) nm, and immunoelectron microscopy using an anti-rat HEV ORF2 monoclonal antibody (TA7014) indicated that the observed VLPs were derived from rat HEV ORF2. The VLPs attached to and entered the PLC/PRF/5 cells and blocked the neutralization of rat HEV by TA7014, suggesting that the VLPs possess the antigenic structure of infectious rat HEV particles. In addition, rat HEV VLPs showed high immunogenicity in mice. The present results would be useful for future studies on the development of VLP-based vaccines for HEV prevention in a rat model and for the prevention of rat HEV infection in humans.
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14
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A broadly cross-reactive monoclonal antibody against hepatitis E virus capsid antigen. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:4957-4973. [PMID: 34129082 PMCID: PMC8236046 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11342-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Abstract To generate a hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 (HEV-3)–specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), the Escherichia coli–expressed carboxy-terminal part of its capsid protein was used to immunise BALB/c mice. The immunisation resulted in the induction of HEV-specific antibodies of high titre. The mAb G117-AA4 of IgG1 isotype was obtained showing a strong reactivity with the homologous E. coli, but also yeast-expressed capsid protein of HEV-3. The mAb strongly cross-reacted with ratHEV capsid protein derivatives produced in both expression systems and weaker with an E. coli–expressed batHEV capsid protein fragment. In addition, the mAb reacted with capsid protein derivatives of genotypes HEV-2 and HEV-4 and common vole hepatitis E virus (cvHEV), produced by the cell-free synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) cell lysates. Western blot and line blot reactivity of the mAb with capsid protein derivatives of HEV-1 to HEV-4, cvHEV, ratHEV and batHEV suggested a linear epitope. Use of truncated derivatives of ratHEV capsid protein in ELISA, Western blot, and a Pepscan analysis allowed to map the epitope within a partially surface-exposed region with the amino acid sequence LYTSV. The mAb was also shown to bind to human patient–derived HEV-3 from infected cell culture and to hare HEV-3 and camel HEV-7 capsid proteins from transfected cells by immunofluorescence assay. The novel mAb may serve as a useful tool for further investigations on the pathogenesis of HEV infections and might be used for diagnostic purposes. Key points • The antibody showed cross-reactivity with capsid proteins of different hepeviruses. • The linear epitope of the antibody was mapped in a partially surface-exposed region. • The antibody detected native HEV-3 antigen in infected mammalian cells. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00253-021-11342-7.
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15
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Presence and Diversity of Different Enteric Viruses in Wild Norway Rats ( Rattus norvegicus). Viruses 2021; 13:v13060992. [PMID: 34073462 PMCID: PMC8227696 DOI: 10.3390/v13060992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodents are common reservoirs for numerous zoonotic pathogens, but knowledge about diversity of pathogens in rodents is still limited. Here, we investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of enteric viruses in 51 Norway rats collected in three different countries in Europe. RNA of at least one virus was detected in the intestine of 49 of 51 animals. Astrovirus RNA was detected in 46 animals, mostly of rat astroviruses. Human astrovirus (HAstV-8) RNA was detected in one, rotavirus group A (RVA) RNA was identified in eleven animals. One RVA RNA could be typed as rat G3 type. Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA was detected in five animals. Two entire genome sequences of ratHEV were determined. Human norovirus RNA was detected in four animals with the genotypes GI.P4-GI.4, GII.P33-GII.1, and GII.P21. In one animal, a replication competent coxsackievirus A20 strain was detected. Additionally, RNA of an enterovirus species A strain was detected in the same animal, albeit in a different tissue. The results show a high detection rate and diversity of enteric viruses in Norway rats in Europe and indicate their significance as vectors for zoonotic transmission of enteric viruses. The detailed role of Norway rats and transmission pathways of enteric viruses needs to be investigated in further studies.
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16
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Review of Hepatitis E Virus in Rats: Evident Risk of Species Orthohepevirus C to Human Zoonotic Infection and Disease. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101148. [PMID: 33050353 PMCID: PMC7600399 DOI: 10.3390/v12101148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) (family Hepeviridae) is one of the most common human pathogens, causing acute hepatitis and an increasingly recognized etiological agent in chronic hepatitis and extrahepatic manifestations. Recent studies reported that not only are the classical members of the species Orthohepevirus A (HEV-A) pathogenic to humans but a genetically highly divergent rat origin hepevirus (HEV-C1) in species Orthohepevirus C (HEV-C) is also able to cause zoonotic infection and symptomatic disease (hepatitis) in humans. This review summarizes the current knowledge of hepeviruses in rodents with special focus of rat origin HEV-C1. Cross-species transmission and genetic diversity of HEV-C1 and confirmation of HEV-C1 infections and symptomatic disease in humans re-opened the long-lasting and full of surprises story of HEV in human. This novel knowledge has a consequence to the epidemiology, clinical aspects, laboratory diagnosis, and prevention of HEV infection in humans.
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17
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Bai H, Li W, Guan D, Su J, Ke C, Ami Y, Suzaki Y, Takeda N, Muramatsu M, Li TC. Characterization of a Novel Rat Hepatitis E Virus Isolated from an Asian Musk Shrew ( Suncus murinus). Viruses 2020; 12:v12070715. [PMID: 32630296 PMCID: PMC7411586 DOI: 10.3390/v12070715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Asian musk shrew (shrew) is a new reservoir of a rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) that has been classified into genotype HEV-C1 in the species Orthohepevirus C. However, there is no information regarding classification of the new rat HEV based on the entire genome sequences, and it remains unclear whether rat HEV transmits from shrews to humans. We herein inoculated nude rats (Long-Evans rnu/rnu) with a serum sample from a shrew trapped in China, which was positive for rat HEV RNA, to isolate and characterize the rat HEV distributed in shrews. A rat HEV strain, S1129, was recovered from feces of the infected nude rat, indicating that rat HEV was capable of replicating in rats. S1129 adapted and grew well in PLC/PRF/5 cells, and the recovered virus (S1129c1) infected Wistar rats. The entire genomes of S1129 and S1129c1 contain four open reading frames and share 78.3–81.8% of the nucleotide sequence identities with known rat HEV isolates, demonstrating that rat HEVs are genetically diverse. We proposed that genotype HEV-C1 be further classified into subtypes HEV-C1a to HEV-C1d and that the S1129 strain circulating in the shrew belonged to the new subtype HEV-C1d. Further studies should focus on whether the S1129 strain infects humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Bai
- Department of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Baotou Medical College, Jianshe Road 31, Baotou 014060, China;
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Microbiology, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province, 160 Qunxian Road, Dashi Street, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511430, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (J.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Dawei Guan
- Institute of Microbiology, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province, 160 Qunxian Road, Dashi Street, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511430, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (J.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Juan Su
- Institute of Microbiology, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province, 160 Qunxian Road, Dashi Street, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511430, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (J.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Changwen Ke
- Institute of Microbiology, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province, 160 Qunxian Road, Dashi Street, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511430, China; (W.L.); (D.G.); (J.S.); (C.K.)
| | - Yasushi Ami
- Division of Experimental Animals Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan; (Y.A.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yuriko Suzaki
- Division of Experimental Animals Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan; (Y.A.); (Y.S.)
| | - Naokazu Takeda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0781, Japan;
| | - Masamichi Muramatsu
- Department of Virology II, 2, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan;
| | - Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Virology II, 2, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-42-561-0771; Fax: +81-42-565-4729
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18
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Wang B, Harms D, Yang XL, Bock CT. Orthohepevirus C: An Expanding Species of Emerging Hepatitis E Virus Variants. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9030154. [PMID: 32106525 PMCID: PMC7157548 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9030154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that has received an increasing amount of attention from virologists, clinicians, veterinarians, and epidemiologists over the past decade. The host range and animal reservoirs of HEV are rapidly expanding and a plethora of emerging HEV variants have been recently identified, some of which have the potential for interspecies infection. In this review, the detection of genetically diverse HEV variants, classified into and presumably associated with the species Orthohepevirus C, currently comprising HEV genotypes C1 and C2, by either serological or molecular approach is summarized. The distribution, genomic variability, and evolution of Orthohepevirus C are analyzed. Moreover, the potential risk of cross-species infection and zoonotic transmission of Orthohepevirus C are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
| | - Dominik Harms
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Xing-Lou Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China;
| | - C.-Thomas Bock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-18754-2379; Fax: +49-30-18754-2617
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Multivesicular body sorting and the exosomal pathway are required for the release of rat hepatitis E virus from infected cells. Virus Res 2020; 278:197868. [PMID: 31962066 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.197868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Recent reports have shown that rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) is capable of infecting humans. We also successfully propagated rat HEV into human PLC/PRF/5 cells, raising the possibility of a similar mechanism shared by human HEV and rat HEV. Rat HEV has the proline-rich sequence, PxYPMP, in the open reading frame 3 (ORF3) protein that is indispensable for its release. However, the release mechanism remains unclear. The overexpression of dominant-negative (DN) mutant of vacuolar protein sorting (Vps)4A or Vps4B decreased rat HEV release to 23.9 % and 18.0 %, respectively. The release of rat HEV was decreased to 8.3 % in tumor susceptibility gene 101 (Tsg101)-depleted cells and to 31.5 % in apoptosis-linked gene 2-interacting protein X (Alix)-depleted cells. Although rat HEV ORF3 protein did not bind to Tsg101, we found a 90-kDa protein capable of binding to wild-type rat HEV ORF3 protein but not to ORF3 mutant with proline to leucine mutations in the PxYPMP motif. Rat HEV release was also decreased in Ras-associated binding 27A (Rab27A)- or hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs)-depleted cells (to 20.1 % and 18.5 %, respectively). In addition, the extracellular rat HEV levels in the infected PLC/PRF/5 cells were increased after treatment with Bafilomycin A1 and decreased after treatment with GW4869. These results indicate that rat HEV utilizes multivesicular body (MVB) sorting for its release and that the exosomal pathway is required for rat HEV egress. A host protein alternative to Tsg101 that can bind to rat HEV ORF3 should be explored in further study.
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20
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De Sabato L, Ianiro G, Monini M, De Lucia A, Ostanello F, Di Bartolo I. Detection of hepatitis E virus RNA in rats caught in pig farms from Northern Italy. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 67:62-69. [PMID: 31592576 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains belonging to the Orthohepevirus genus are divided into four species (A-D). HEV strains included in the Orthohepevirus A species infect humans and several other mammals. Among them, the HEV-3 and HEV-4 genotypes are zoonotic and infect both humans and animals, of which, pigs and wild boar are the main reservoirs. Viruses belonging to the Orthohepevirus C species (HEV-C) have been considered to infect rats of different species and carnivores. Recently, two studies reported the detection of HEV-C1 (rat HEV) RNA in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients, suggesting a possible transmission of rat HEV to humans. The role of rats and mice as reservoir of HEV and the potential zoonotic transmission is still poorly known and deserves further investigation. To this purpose, in this study, the presence of HEV RNA was investigated in the intestinal contents and liver samples from 47 Black rats (Rattus rattus) and 21 House mice (Mus musculus) captured in four pig farms in Northern Italy. The presence of both Orthohepevirus A and C was investigated by the real-rime RT-PCR specific for HEV-1 to HEV-4 genotypes of Orthohepevirus A species and by a broad spectrum hemi-nested RT-PCR capable of detecting different HEV species including rat HEV. The intestinal content from two Black rats resulted positive for HEV-C1 RNA and for HEV-3 RNA, respectively. None of the House mice was HEV RNA positive. Sequence analyses confirmed the detection of HEV-C1, genotype G1 and HEV-3 subtype e. The viral strain HEV-3e detected in the rat was identical to swine HEV strains detected in the same farm. Liver samples were negative for the detection of either rat HEV or HEV-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca De Sabato
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ianiro
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Monini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia De Lucia
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Fabio Ostanello
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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21
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Ryll R, Heckel G, Corman VM, Drexler JF, Ulrich RG. Genomic and spatial variability of a European common vole hepevirus. Arch Virol 2019; 164:2671-2682. [PMID: 31399875 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rodents host different orthohepeviruses, namely orthohepevirus C genotype HEV-C1 (rat hepatitis E virus, HEV) and the additional putative genotypes HEV-C3 and HEV-C4. Here, we screened 2,961 rodents from Central Europe by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and identified HEV RNA in 13 common voles (Microtus arvalis) and one bank vole (Myodes glareolus) with detection rates of 2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1-3.4) and 0.08% (95% CI: 0.002-0.46), respectively. Sequencing of a 279-nucleotide RT-PCR amplicon corresponding to a region within open reading frame (ORF) 1 showed a high degree of similarity to recently described common vole-associated HEV (cvHEV) sequences from Hungary. Five novel complete cvHEV genome sequences from Central Europe showed the typical HEV genome organization with ORF1, ORF2 and ORF3 and RNA secondary structure. Uncommon features included a noncanonical start codon in ORF3, multiple insertions and deletions within ORF1 and ORF2/ORF3, and the absence of a putative ORF4. Phylogenetic analysis showed all of the novel cvHEV sequences to be monophyletic, clustering most closely with an unassigned bird-derived sequence and other sequences of the species Orthohepevirus C. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence divergence of the common vole-derived sequences was significantly correlated with the spatial distance between the trapping sites, indicating mostly local evolutionary processes. Detection of closely related HEV sequences in common voles in multiple localities over a distance of 800 kilometers suggested that common voles are infected by cvHEV across broad geographic distances. The common vole-associated HEV strain is clearly divergent from HEV sequences recently found in narrow-headed voles (Microtus gregalis) and other cricetid rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Ryll
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Gerald Heckel
- University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge, Batiment Genopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Victor M Corman
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10098, Berlin, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Virology, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10098, Berlin, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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22
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Animal Models for Hepatitis E virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060564. [PMID: 31216711 PMCID: PMC6630473 DOI: 10.3390/v11060564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underdiagnosed pathogen with approximately 20 million infections each year and currently the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis. HEV was long considered to be confined to developing countries but there is increasing evidence that it is also a medical problem in the Western world. HEV that infects humans belongs to the Orthohepevirus A species of the Hepeviridae family. Novel HEV-like viruses have been observed in a variety of animals and some have been shown to be able to cross the species barrier, causing infection in humans. Several cell culture models for HEV have been established in the past years, but their efficiency is usually relatively low. With the circulation of this virus and related viruses in a variety of species, several different animal models have been developed. In this review, we give an overview of these animal models, indicate their main characteristics, and highlight how they may contribute to our understanding of the basic aspects of the viral life cycle and cross-species infection, the study of pathogenesis, and the evaluation of novel preventative and therapeutic strategies.
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23
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Primadharsini PP, Nagashima S, Okamoto H. Genetic Variability and Evolution of Hepatitis E Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:E456. [PMID: 31109076 PMCID: PMC6563261 DOI: 10.3390/v11050456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. HEV can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, with the latter usually occurring in immunocompromised patients. Modes of transmission range from the classic fecal-oral route or zoonotic route, to relatively recently recognized but increasingly common routes, such as via the transfusion of blood products or organ transplantation. Extrahepatic manifestations, such as neurological, kidney and hematological abnormalities, have been documented in some limited cases, typically in patients with immune suppression. HEV has demonstrated extensive genomic diversity and a variety of HEV strains have been identified worldwide from human populations as well as growing numbers of animal species. The genetic variability and constant evolution of HEV contribute to its physiopathogenesis and adaptation to new hosts. This review describes the recent classification of the Hepeviridae family, global genotype distribution, clinical significance of HEV genotype and genomic variability and evolution of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Putu Prathiwi Primadharsini
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
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24
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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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25
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Murphy EG, Williams NJ, Jennings D, Chantrey J, Verin R, Grierson S, McElhinney LM, Bennett M. First detection of Hepatitis E virus (Orthohepevirus C) in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Great Britain. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:686-694. [PMID: 31033238 PMCID: PMC6767579 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In the United Kingdom, there has been an increase in the number of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in people annually since 2010. Most of these are thought to be indigenously acquired Orthohepevirus A genotype 3 (HEV G3), which has been linked to pork production and consumption. However, the dominant subgroup circulating in British pigs differs from that which is found in people; therefore, an alternative, potentially zoonotic, source is suspected as a possible cause of these infections. Rodents, brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in particular, have been shown to carry HEV, both the swine HEV G3 genotype and Orthohepevirus C, genotype C1 (rat HEV). To investigate the prevalence of HEV in British rodents, liver tissue was taken from 307 rodents collected from pig farms (n = 12) and other locations (n = 10). The RNA from these samples was extracted and tested using a pan‐HEV nested RT‐PCR. Limited histopathology was also performed. In this study, 8/61 (13%, 95% CI, 5–21) of brown rat livers were positive for HEV RNA. Sequencing of amplicons demonstrated all infections to be rat HEV with 87%–92% nucleotide identity to other rat HEV sequences circulating within Europe and China (224 nt ORF‐1). Lesions and necrosis were observed histologically in 2/3 samples examined. No rat HEV RNA was detected in any other species, and no HEV G3 RNA was detected in any rodent in this study. This is the first reported detection of rat HEV in Great Britain. A human case of rat HEV infection has recently been reported in Asia, suggesting that rat HEV could pose a risk to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen G Murphy
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection and Global Health, NCZR, Neston, UK.,Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Global Health, NCZR, Neston, UK
| | - Nicola J Williams
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection and Global Health, NCZR, Neston, UK.,Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Global Health, NCZR, Neston, UK
| | - Daisy Jennings
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector Borne Disease Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, UK
| | - Julian Chantrey
- Department of Veterinary Pathology & Public Health, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ranieri Verin
- Department of Veterinary Pathology & Public Health, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sylvia Grierson
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Lorraine M McElhinney
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection and Global Health, NCZR, Neston, UK.,Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector Borne Disease Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, UK
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK
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26
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He W, Wen Y, Xiong Y, Zhang M, Cheng M, Chen Q. The prevalence and genomic characteristics of hepatitis E virus in murine rodents and house shrews from several regions in China. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:414. [PMID: 30577796 PMCID: PMC6303920 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1746-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Urban rodents and house shrews are closely correlated in terms of location with humans and can transmit many pathogens to them. Hepatitis E has been confirmed to be a zoonotic disease. However, the zoonotic potential of rat HEV is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genomic characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in rodents and house shrews. Results We collected a total of 788 animals from four provinces in China. From the 614 collected murine rodents, 20.19% of the liver tissue samples and 45.76% of the fecal samples were positive for HEV. From the 174 house shrews (Suncus murinus), 5.17% fecal samples and 0.57% liver tissue samples were positive for HEV. All of the HEV sequences obtained in this study belonged to Orthohepevirus C1. However, we observed a lower percentage of identity in the ORF3 region upon comparing the amino acid sequences between Rattus norvegicus and Rattus losea. HEV derived from house shrews shared a high percentage of identity with rat HEV. Notably, the first near full-length of the HEV genome from Rattus losea is described in our study, and we also report the first near full-length rat HEV genomes in Rattus norvegicus from China. Conclusion HEV is prevalent among the three common species of murine rodents (Rattus. norvegicus, Rattus. tanezumi, and Rattus. losea) in China. HEV sequences detected from house shrews were similar to rat HEV sequences. The high identity of HEV from murine rodents and house shrews suggested that HEV can spread among different animal species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1746-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiao He
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yuqi Wen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yiquan Xiong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Minyi Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Mingji Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou North Road, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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27
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Simanavicius M, Juskaite K, Verbickaite A, Jasiulionis M, Tamosiunas PL, Petraityte-Burneikiene R, Zvirbliene A, Ulrich RG, Kucinskaite-Kodze I. Detection of rat hepatitis E virus, but not human pathogenic hepatitis E virus genotype 1-4 infections in wild rats from Lithuania. Vet Microbiol 2018; 221:129-133. [PMID: 29981698 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an orthohepevirus which is related to other HEV found in humans and other mammals. It was first identified in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Germany in 2010, and later it has been detected in Black rats (Rattus rattus) and Norway rats from USA, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and many European countries. In this study, we describe molecular and serological investigations of Black and Norway rats trapped in Lithuania, Eastern Europe, for infections with rat HEV and human HEV genotypes 1-4. Rat HEV-specific real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis of rat liver samples revealed the presence of rat HEV in 9 of 109 (8.3%) samples. In contrast, a RT-qPCR specific for HEV genotypes 1-4 did not reveal any positive samples. A nested broad spectrum RT-PCR was used for a confirmation of rat HEV infection with a subsequent sequencing of the amplified rat HEV genome fragment. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a clustering of all newly identified rat HEV sequences with Norway rat-derived rat HEV sequences from Germany within the species Orthohepevirus C. An indirect ELISA using a yeast-expressed truncated rat HEV capsid protein variant revealed 31.2% seropositive samples indicating a high rate of rat HEV circulation in the rat population examined. In conclusion, the current investigation confirms rat HEV infections in Norway and Black rats in Lithuania, Eastern Europe, and the non-persistent nature of HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karolina Juskaite
- Vilnius University Life Sciences Center Institute of Biotechnology, Lithuania.
| | - Arune Verbickaite
- Vilnius University Life Sciences Center Institute of Biotechnology, Lithuania.
| | | | | | | | - Aurelija Zvirbliene
- Vilnius University Life Sciences Center Institute of Biotechnology, Lithuania.
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany.
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28
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Tanggis, Kobayashi T, Takahashi M, Jirintai S, Nishizawa T, Nagashima S, Nishiyama T, Kunita S, Hayama E, Tanaka T, Mulyanto, Okamoto H. An analysis of two open reading frames (ORF3 and ORF4) of rat hepatitis E virus genome using its infectious cDNA clones with mutations in ORF3 or ORF4. Virus Res 2018; 249:16-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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29
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Chevrier's Field Mouse (Apodemus chevrieri) and Père David's Vole (Eothenomys melanogaster) in China Carry Orthohepeviruses that form Two Putative Novel Genotypes Within the Species Orthohepevirus C. Virol Sin 2018; 33:44-58. [PMID: 29500690 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-018-0011-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the prototype of the family Hepeviridae and the causative agent of common acute viral hepatitis. Genetically diverse HEV-related viruses have been detected in a variety of mammals and some of them may have zoonotic potential. In this study, we tested 278 specimens collected from seven wild small mammal species in Yunnan province, China, for the presence and prevalence of orthohepevirus by broad-spectrum reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. HEV-related sequences were detected in two rodent species, including Chevrier's field mouse (Apodemus chevrieri, family Muridae) and Père David's vole (Eothenomys melanogaster, family Cricetidae), with the infection rates of 29.20% (59/202) and 7.27% (4/55), respectively. Further four representative full-length genomes were generated: two each from Chevrier's field mouse (named RdHEVAc14 and RdHEVAc86) and Père David's vole (RdHEVEm40 and RdHEVEm67). Phylogenetic analyses and pairwise distance comparisons of whole genome sequences and amino acid sequences of the gene coding regions showed that orthohepeviruses identified in Chinese Chevrier's field mouse and Père David's vole belonged to the species Orthohepevirus C but were highly divergent from the two assigned genotypes: HEV-C1 derived from rat and shrew, and HEV-C2 derived from ferret and possibly mink. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR demonstrated that these newly discovered orthohepeviruses had hepatic tropism. In summary, our work discovered two putative novel genotypes orthohepeviruses preliminarily named HEV-C3 and HEV-C4 within the species Orthohepevirus C, which expands our understanding of orthohepevirus infection in the order Rodentia and gives new insights into the origin, evolution, and host range of orthohepevirus.
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30
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Primadharsini PP, Mulyanto, Wibawa IDN, Anggoro J, Nishizawa T, Takahashi M, Jirintai S, Okamoto H. The identification and characterization of novel rat hepatitis E virus strains in Bali and Sumbawa, Indonesia. Arch Virol 2018; 163:1345-1349. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-018-3736-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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31
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Grierson S, Rabie A, Lambert M, Choudhury B, Smith RP. HEV infection not evident in rodents on English pig farms. Vet Rec 2017; 182:81. [PMID: 29196489 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Grierson
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Andre Rabie
- Department of Bacteriology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Mark Lambert
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, UK
| | - Bhudipa Choudhury
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
| | - Richard P Smith
- Department of Epidemiological Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK
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32
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Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in zoo animals and identification of a rodent-borne strain in a Syrian brown bear. Vet Microbiol 2017; 212:87-92. [PMID: 29173594 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E, an emerging infectious disease of humans. HEV infections have also been described in various animal species. Whereas domestic pigs and wild boars are well-known animal reservoirs for HEV, the knowledge on natural HEV infection in zoo animals is scarce so far. Here, we analysed 244 sera from 66 mammal species derived from three zoos in Germany using a commercial double antigen sandwich ELISA. HEV-specific antibodies were detected in 16 animal species, with the highest detection rates in suids (33.3%) and carnivores (27.0%). However, RNA of the human pathogenic HEV genotypes 1-4 was not detected in the serum samples from suids or carnivores. Using a broad spectrum RT-PCR, a ratHEV-related sequence was identified in a sample of a female Syrian brown bear (Ursus arctos syriacus). Subsequent serum samples within a period of five years confirmed a HEV seroconversion in this animal. No symptoms of hepatitis were recorded. In a follow-up investigation at the same location, closely related ratHEV sequences were identified in free-living Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), whereas feeder rats (Rattus norvegicus forma domestica) were negative for HEV-specific antibodies and RNA. Therefore, a spillover infection of ratHEV from free-living Norway rats is most likely. The results indicate that a wide range of zoo animals can be naturally infected with HEV or HEV-related viruses. Their distinct role as possible reservoir animals for HEV and sources of HEV infection for humans and other animals remains to be investigated.
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33
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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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Detection of rat hepatitis E virus in wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and Black rats (Rattus rattus) from 11 European countries. Vet Microbiol 2017; 208:58-68. [PMID: 28888650 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) is genetically only distantly related to hepeviruses found in other mammalian reservoirs and in humans. It was initially detected in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Germany, and subsequently in rats from Vietnam, the USA, Indonesia, China, Denmark and France. Here, we report on a molecular survey of Norway rats and Black rats (Rattus rattus) from 12 European countries for ratHEV and human pathogenic hepeviruses. RatHEV-specific real-time and conventional RT-PCR investigations revealed the presence of ratHEV in 63 of 508 (12.4%) rats at the majority of sites in 11 of 12 countries. In contrast, a real-time RT-PCR specific for human pathogenic HEV genotypes 1-4 and a nested broad-spectrum (NBS) RT-PCR with subsequent sequence determination did not detect any infections with these genotypes. Only in a single Norway rat from Belgium a rabbit HEV-like genotype 3 sequence was detected. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a clustering of all other novel Norway and Black rat-derived sequences with ratHEV sequences from Europe, the USA and a Black rat-derived sequence from Indonesia within the proposed ratHEV genotype 1. No difference in infection status was detected related to age, sex, rat species or density of human settlements and zoological gardens. In conclusion, our investigation shows a broad geographical distribution of ratHEV in Norway and Black rats from Europe and its presence in all settlement types investigated.
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Obana S, Shimizu K, Yoshimatsu K, Hasebe F, Hotta K, Isozumi R, Nguyen HT, LE MQ, Yamashiro T, Tsuda Y, Arikawa J. Epizootiological study of rodent-borne hepatitis E virus HEV-C1 in small mammals in Hanoi, Vietnam. J Vet Med Sci 2016; 79:76-81. [PMID: 27795461 PMCID: PMC5289241 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There is concern about the zoonotic potential of rodent-borne hepatitis E virus, designated as HEV-C1. However, epizootiological information about HEV-C1 is
limited. To address this issue, serum samples from 443 small mammals captured at 5 sites in Hanoi, Vietnam, were examined for anti-HEV-C1 IgG antibodies. In
addition, livers of seropositive animals were examined for viral RNA. Anti-HEV-C1 antibodies were detected in 57 (12.9%) of the 443 serum samples. Seropositive
animals were found in all of the sites (4.7% to 22.2%). Anti-HEV-C1 antibodies were detected from 48 (12.3%) of 389 Rattus norvegicus and 9
(19.6%) of 46 R. tanezumi, but were not detected from 8 Suncus murinus. Viral RNAs were detected from 13 (22.8%) of the 57
seropositive rodents. The detection rate of viral RNA in seropositive R. tanezumi (66.7%, 6/9) was significantly higher than that in
seropositive R. norvegicus (14.6%, 7/48). The results suggest that R. tanezumi is more susceptible than R.
norvegicus to HEV-C1 infection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Vietnamese strains were divided into 3 clusters in genetic group 2 of HEV-C1.
Multiple clusters of viruses were detected at several sites without species specificity, suggesting that 3 clusters of HEV-C1 co-circulate in Hanoi,
Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomu Obana
- Department of Microbiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita-15, Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
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Takahashi M, Kobayashi T, Tanggis, Jirintai S, Mulyanto, Nagashima S, Nishizawa T, Kunita S, Okamoto H. Production of monoclonal antibodies against the ORF3 protein of rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) and demonstration of the incorporation of the ORF3 protein into enveloped rat HEV particles. Arch Virol 2016; 161:3391-3404. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-3047-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Debing Y, Mishra N, Verbeken E, Ramaekers K, Dallmeier K, Neyts J. A rat model for hepatitis E virus. Dis Model Mech 2016; 9:1203-1210. [PMID: 27483350 PMCID: PMC5087834 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.024406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the prime causes of acute viral hepatitis, and chronic hepatitis E is increasingly recognized as an important problem in the transplant setting. Nevertheless, the fundamental understanding of the biology of HEV replication is limited and there are few therapeutic options. The development of such therapies is partially hindered by the lack of a robust and convenient animal model. We propose the infection of athymic nude rats with the rat HEV strain LA-B350 as such a model. A cDNA clone, pLA-B350, was constructed and the infectivity of its capped RNA transcripts was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, a subgenomic replicon, pLA-B350/luc, was constructed and validated for in vitro antiviral studies. Interestingly, rat HEV proved to be less sensitive to the antiviral activity of α-interferon, ribavirin and mycophenolic acid than genotype 3 HEV (a strain that infects humans). As a proof-of-concept, part of the C-terminal polymerase sequence of pLA-B350/luc was swapped with its genotype 3 HEV counterpart: the resulting chimeric replicon replicated with comparable efficiency as the wild-type construct, confirming that LA-B350 strain is amenable to humanization (replacement of certain sequences or motifs by their counterparts from human HEV strains). Finally, ribavirin effectively inhibited LA-B350 replication in athymic nude rats, confirming the suitability of the rat model for antiviral studies. Summary: Rat hepatitis E virus strain LA-B350 is used as a model for antiviral studies for hepatitis E virus using a cDNA clone, replicon and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Debing
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Niraj Mishra
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Erik Verbeken
- Department of Imaging & Pathology, Translational Cell & Tissue Research, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kaat Ramaekers
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kai Dallmeier
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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Kobayashi T, Takahashi M, Jirintai S, Nagashima S, Nishizawa T, Okamoto H. Characterization and epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies raised against rat hepatitis E virus capsid protein: An evaluation of their neutralizing activity in a cell culture system. J Virol Methods 2016; 233:78-88. [PMID: 26992654 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of acute hepatitis. Rat HEV is a recently discovered virus related to, but distinct from, human HEV. Since laboratory rats can be reproducibly infected with rat HEV and a cell culture system has been established for rat HEV, this virus may be used as a surrogate virus for human HEV, enabling studies on virus replication and mechanism of infection. However, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against rat HEV capsid (ORF2) protein are not available. In this study, 12 murine MAbs were generated against a recombinant ORF2 protein of rat HEV (rRatHEV-ORF2: amino acids 101-644) and were classified into at least six distinct groups by epitope mapping and a cross-reactivity analysis with human HEV ORF2 proteins. Two non-cross-reactive MAbs recognizing the protruding (P) domain detected both non-denatured and denatured rRatHEV-ORF2 protein and efficiently captured cell culture-produced rat HEV particles that had been treated with deoxycholate and trypsin, but not those without prior treatment. In addition, these two MAbs were able to efficiently neutralize replication of cell culture-generated rat HEV particles without lipid membranes (but not those with lipid membranes) in a cell culture system, similar to human HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tominari Kobayashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Suljid Jirintai
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nishizawa
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-Shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
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Li TC, Yang T, Yoshizaki S, Ami Y, Suzaki Y, Ishii K, Haga K, Nakamura T, Ochiai S, Takaji W, Johne R. Construction and characterization of an infectious cDNA clone of rat hepatitis E virus. J Gen Virol 2015; 96:1320-1327. [PMID: 25634930 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.000072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) is related to human HEV and has been detected in wild rats worldwide. Here, the complete genome of rat HEV strain R63/DEU/2009 was cloned downstream of the T7 RNA polymerase promoter and capped genomic RNA generated by in vitro transcription was injected into nude rats. Rat HEV RNA could be detected in serum and faeces of rats injected intrahepatically, but not in those injected intravenously. Rat HEV RNA-positive faecal suspension was intravenously inoculated into nude rats and Wistar rats leading to rat HEV RNA detection in serum and faeces of nude rats, and to seroconversion in Wistar rats. In addition, rat HEV was isolated in PLC/PRF/5 cells from the rat HEV RNA-positive faecal suspension of nude rats and then passaged. The cell culture supernatant was infectious for nude rats. Genome analysis identified nine point mutations of the cell-culture-passaged virus in comparison with the originally cloned rat HEV genome. The results indicated that infectious rat HEV could be generated from the cDNA clone. As rats are widely used and well-characterized laboratory animals, studies on genetically engineered rat HEV may provide novel insights into organ tropism, replication and excretion kinetics as well as immunological changes induced by hepeviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Tingting Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Jiangsu Road 16, Qingdao 266003, PR China
| | - Sayaka Yoshizaki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ami
- Division of Experimental Animals Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Yuriko Suzaki
- Division of Experimental Animals Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Koji Ishii
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Kei Haga
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Tomofumi Nakamura
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Susumu Ochiai
- Research and Production Technology Department, The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University, 5-34-4 Kumegawacho Higashimurayama-shi, Tokyo 189-0003, Japan
| | - Wakita Takaji
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Reimar Johne
- Department Biological Safety, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
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Complete genome sequence of a rat hepatitis e virus strain isolated in the United States. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2014; 2:2/6/e01096-14. [PMID: 25377700 PMCID: PMC4223451 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.01096-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus is a common cause of acute hepatitis in humans. Related viruses have been isolated from multiple animal species, including rats, but their impact on human health is unclear. We present the first full-length genome sequence of a rat hepatitis E virus strain isolated in the United States (LA-B350).
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Johne R, Dremsek P, Reetz J, Heckel G, Hess M, Ulrich RG. Hepeviridae: an expanding family of vertebrate viruses. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 27:212-29. [PMID: 25050488 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) was first identified in 1990, although hepatitis E-like diseases in humans have been recorded for a long time dating back to the 18th century. The HEV genotypes 1-4 have been subsequently detected in human hepatitis E cases with different geographical distribution and different modes of transmission. Genotypes 3 and 4 have been identified in parallel in pigs, wild boars and other animal species and their zoonotic potential has been confirmed. Until 2010, these genotypes along with avian HEV strains infecting chicken were the only known representatives of the family Hepeviridae. Thereafter, additional HEV-related viruses have been detected in wild boars, distinct HEV-like viruses were identified in rats, rabbit, ferret, mink, fox, bats and moose, and a distantly related agent was described from closely related salmonid fish. This review summarizes the characteristics of the so far known HEV-like viruses, their phylogenetic relationship, host association and proposed involvement in diseases. Based on the reviewed knowledge, a suggestion for a new taxonomic grouping scheme of the viruses within the family Hepeviridae is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reimar Johne
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Dremsek
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Jochen Reetz
- Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerald Heckel
- University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Genopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Hess
- Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni Vienna), Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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Jirintai S, Tanggis, Mulyanto, Suparyatmo JB, Takahashi M, Kobayashi T, Nagashima S, Nishizawa T, Okamoto H. Rat hepatitis E virus derived from wild rats (Rattus rattus) propagates efficiently in human hepatoma cell lines. Virus Res 2014; 185:92-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2013] [Revised: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Widén F, Ayral F, Artois M, Olofson AS, Lin J. PCR detection and analysis of potentially zoonotic Hepatitis E virus in French rats. Virol J 2014; 11:90. [PMID: 24886183 PMCID: PMC4040512 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-11-90] [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: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis E virus has been detected in a wide range of animals. While Genotypes 1-2 of this virus infect only humans, 3-4 can spread from animals to humans and cause sporadic cases of human disease. Pig, and possibly also rats, may act as a reservoir for virus. From a public health perspective it is important to clarify the role of rats for infection of humans. Rats often live close to humans and are therefore of special interest to public health. Rats live of waste and inside the sewage system and may become infected. Reports of hepatitis E virus in rats have been published but not from France. The possibility that rats in an urban area in France were Hepatitis E virus infected, with which type and relationship to other strains was investigated. This study provides information important to public health and better understanding the occurrence of hepatitis E virus in the environment. Eighty one rats (Rattus Norvegicus) were captured, euthanized, sampled (liver and faeces) and analyzed by real-time RT-PCR’s, one specific for Hepatitis E virus in rats and one specific for genotype 1-4 that that is known to infect humans. Positive samples were analyzed by a nested broad spectrum RT-PCR, sequenced and compared with sequences in Genbank. Findings Twelve liver and 11 faeces samples out of 81 liver and 81 faeces samples from 81 captured rats were positive in the PCR specific for Hepatitis E virus in rats and none in the PCR specific for genotype 1-4. Comparison by nucleotide BLAST showed a maximum of 87% similarity to Hepatitis E virus previously detected in rats and significantly less to genotype 1-4. Conclusions This is the first study demonstrating that rats in France carries hepatitis E virus and provide information regarding its relation to other virus strains previously detected in rats and other host animals world-wide. Genotype 1-4 was not detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Widén
- Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, The National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.
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