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Khuroo MS. Discovery of Hepatitis E and Its Impact on Global Health: A Journey of 44 Years about an Incredible Human-Interest Story. Viruses 2023; 15:1745. [PMID: 37632090 PMCID: PMC10459142 DOI: 10.3390/v15081745] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The story of the discovery of hepatitis E originated in the late 1970s with my extreme belief that there was a hidden saga in the relationship between jaundice and pregnancy in developing countries and the opportunity for a massive epidemic of viral hepatitis, which hit the Gulmarg Kashmir region in November 1978. Based on data collected from a door-to-door survey, the existence of a new disease, epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis, caused by a hitherto unknown hepatitis virus, was announced. This news was received by the world community with hype and skepticism. In the early 1980s, the world watched in awe as an extreme example of human self-experimentation led to the identification of VLP. In 1990, a cDNA clone from the virus responsible for epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis was isolated. Over the years, we traversed three eras of ambiguity, hope, and hype of hepatitis E research and conducted several seminal studies to understand the biology of HEV and manifestations of hepatitis E. Many milestones have been reached on the long and winding road of hepatitis E research to understand the structure, biology, and diversity of the agent, changing the behavior of the pathogen in developed countries, and the discovery of a highly effective vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sultan Khuroo
- Digestive Diseases Centre, Dr. Khuroo's Medical Clinic, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190010, India
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2
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De Sabato L, Ianiro G, Filipello V, Arnaboldi S, Righi F, Ostanello F, Giammarioli M, Lavazza A, Di Bartolo I. Absence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Italian Lagomorph Species Sampled between 2019 and 2021. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030545. [PMID: 36766433 PMCID: PMC9913390 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The zoonotic hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) causes most autochthonous human hepatitis E cases in Europe, which are due to the consumption of raw or undercooked food products of animal origin. Pigs and wild boars are considered the main reservoirs of this genotype, while rabbits are the reservoir of a distinct phylogenetic group named HEV-3ra, which is classified within the HEV-3 genotype but in a separate clade. Evidence for the zoonotic potential of HEV-3ra was suggested by its detection in immunocompromised patients in several European countries. HEV-3ra infection was found in farmed and feral rabbit populations worldwide and its circulation was reported in a few European countries, including Italy. Furthermore, Italy is one of the major rabbit meat producers and consumers across Europe, but only a few studies investigated the presence of HEV in this reservoir. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of HEV in 328 Italian hares and 59 farmed rabbits collected in 3 Italian macro-areas (North, North-Central, and South-Central), between 2019 and 2021. For this purpose, liver samples were used to detect HEV RNA using broad-range real-time RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR. Using 28 liver transudates from hares, the ELISA test for anti-HEV IgG detection was also performed. Neither HEV RNA nor anti-HEV antibodies were detected. Further studies will be conducted to assess the HEV presence in Italian lagomorphs to establish the role of this host and the possible risk of transmission for workers with occupational exposure, to pet owners and via food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca De Sabato
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ianiro
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.I.); (F.O.)
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi, 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Arnaboldi
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi, 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Righi
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi, 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabio Ostanello
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’ Emilia, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.I.); (F.O.)
| | - Monica Giammarioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati” (IZSUM), Via Salvemini, 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi, 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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3
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Goulet A, Cambillau C, Roussel A, Imbert I. Structure Prediction and Analysis of Hepatitis E Virus Non-Structural Proteins from the Replication and Transcription Machinery by AlphaFold2. Viruses 2022; 14:1537. [PMID: 35891516 PMCID: PMC9316534 DOI: 10.3390/v14071537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in humans globally. Considered for a long while a public health issue only in developing countries, the HEV infection is now a global public health concern. Most human infections are caused by the HEV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 (HEV-1 to HEV-4). Although HEV-3 and HEV-4 can evolve to chronicity in immunocompromised patients, HEV-1 and HEV-2 lead to self-limited infections. HEV has a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome of ~7.2 kb that is translated into a large pORF1 replicative polyprotein, essential for the viral RNA genome replication and transcription. Unfortunately, the composition and structure of these replicases are still unknown. The recent release of the powerful machine-learning protein structure prediction software AlphaFold2 (AF2) allows us to accurately predict the structure of proteins and their complexes. Here, we used AF2 with the replicase encoded by the polyprotein pORF1 of the human-infecting HEV-3. The boundaries and structures reveal five domains or nonstructural proteins (nsPs): the methyltransferase, Zn-binding domain, macro, helicase, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, reliably predicted. Their substrate-binding sites are similar to those observed experimentally for other related viral proteins. Precisely knowing enzyme boundaries and structures is highly valuable to recombinantly produce stable and active proteins and perform structural, functional and inhibition studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeline Goulet
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7255, LISM, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Christian Cambillau
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, T12 YT20 Cork, Ireland;
- AlphaGraphix, 24 Carrer d’Amont, 66210 Formiguères, France
| | - Alain Roussel
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7255, LISM, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Isabelle Imbert
- Aix-Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7255, LISM, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009 Marseille, France; (A.G.); (A.R.)
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4
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Frías M, Casades-Martí L, Risalde MÁ, López-López P, Cuadrado-Matías R, Rivero-Juárez A, Rivero A, Ruiz-Fons F. The Common Mosquito ( Culex pipiens) Does Not Seem to Be a Competent Vector for Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:874030. [PMID: 35558890 PMCID: PMC9090475 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.874030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An experimental infection approach was used to estimate the competence of the common mosquito, Culex pipiens, for hepatitis E virus replication and transmission, using an isolate of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 of human origin in varying infectious doses. The experimental approach was carried out in biosafety level 2 conditions on three batches of 120 Cx. pipiens females, each using an artificial feeding system containing the virus in aliquots of fresh avian blood. Mosquitoes from each batch were collected 1, 7, 14, and 21 days post-infection (dpi) and dissected. The proboscis was subjected to forced excretion of saliva to estimate potential virus transmission. HEV RNA presence in abdomen, thorax, and saliva samples was analyzed by PCR at the selected post-infection times. HEV RNA was detected in the abdomens of Cx. pipiens females collected 1 dpi in the two experimentally-infected batches, but not in the saliva or thorax. None of the samples collected 7-21 dpi were positive. Our results show that Cx. pipiens is not a competent vector for HEV, at least for zoonotic genotype 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Frías
- Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laia Casades-Martí
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - María Á. Risalde
- Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis, Departamento de Anatomía y Anatomía Patología Comparada y Toxicología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pedro López-López
- Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Cuadrado-Matías
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juárez
- Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Ruiz-Fons
- Grupo Sanidad y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
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Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in Australia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121637. [PMID: 34959591 PMCID: PMC8709427 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121637] [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: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2020, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was detected for the first time in Australian rabbits. To improve our understanding of the genetic diversity and distribution of the virus, 1635 rabbit liver samples from locations across Australia were screened via RT-qPCR for HEV. HEV genomes were amplified and sequenced from 48 positive samples. Furthermore, we tested 380 serum samples from 11 locations across Australia for antibodies against HEV. HEV was detected in rabbits from all states and territories, except the Northern Territory. Seroprevalence varied between locations (from 0% to 22%), demonstrating that HEV is widely distributed in rabbit populations across Australia. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Australian HEV sequences are genetically diverse and that HEV was likely introduced into Australia independently on several occasions. In summary, this study broadens our understanding of the genetic diversity of rabbit HEV globally and shows that the virus is endemic in both domestic and wild rabbit populations in Australia.
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Ianiro G, Chelli E, De Sabato L, Monini M, Ostanello F, Di Bartolo I. Long-term surveillance for hepatitis E virus in an Italian two-site farrow-to-finish swine farm. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:474-482. [PMID: 33934531 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In humans, hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for an acute enterically transmitted hepatitis, which can become chronic in immune-compromised patients. Genotypes 3 and 4 (HEV-3 and HEV-4) are zoonotic, and domestic pigs and wild boar are the main reservoirs. The occurrence of autochthonous cases in Europe, which have been increasing over the last 10 years, has been associated with food-borne zoonotic transmission of HEV-3, mainly linked to consumption of undercooked or raw pork products (sausages containing liver) and wild boar meat. Zoonotic HEV-3 strains are widespread on pig farms, but little information is available on the dynamic of HEV-3 infection within farms, among pigs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of the infection among pigs of different ages along the production chain by the zoonotic HEVs, and to evaluate how long the virus may persist in the farm environment. The presence of HEV-RNA was investigated by real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) in 281 test faecal pools over 19 months (2017-2019) on a two-site farrow-to-finish farm (about 1,000 sows), in Northern Italy. A total of 67/281 test faecal pools (23.8%) resulted positive for the presence of HEV-RNA (site 1: 59/221, 26.7%; site 2: 8/60, 13.3%). Nucleotide sequencing revealed a unique HEV-3 viral variant circulating during 19 months of surveillance. The same HEV-3 strain was detected in the same farm on 2012, indicating the persistence of the same virus over 7 years, and highlighting the role of the environment as a continuous source of infection on pig farms. The results confirmed the circulation of the zoonotic genotype HEV-3 in pigs before slaughtering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Ianiro
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Chelli
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca De Sabato
- 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
| | - Fabio Ostanello
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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The Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Hepatitis E Virus: Evidence from Seroprevalence Screening of Blood Donations. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2021; 38:145-152. [PMID: 33879981 PMCID: PMC8050642 DOI: 10.1007/s12288-021-01428-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout the world, there has been growing concern over the risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission via blood transfusion. The present study screened blood donor samples for anti-HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The prevalence of HEV infection was assessed on a total of 1,003 archived serum samples obtained from the National Blood Centre, Malaysia. The samples were collected from healthy blood donor from Klang Valley between 2017 and 2018. All samples were tested for IgM and IgG antibodies to HEV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). HEV-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 31/1003 (3.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1%–4.4%) and IgM in 9/1003 (0.9%; 95% CI 0.4%–1.7%) samples. In bivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG with respect to gender and district of origin. Although not statistically significant, males had higher odds of having anti-HEV IgG than females (odds ratio [OR] = 2.86; 95% CI 0.95–8.64). All anti-HEV IgG positive individuals were people of Chinese descent. Anti-HEV IgG increased significantly with age, from 0.6% (95% CI 0.1%–2.6%) of 18–30-year-old donors to 7.4% (95% CI 2.7%–17.0%) of donors older than 50 years and was highest among non-professional workers (5.3%; 95% CI 2.5%–10.5%). Increasing age and a non-professional occupation remained significant predictors for anti-HEV IgG in the multivariable analysis. Screening of blood donations for HEV in Malaysia is important to safeguard the health of transfusion recipients. The higher rates of HEV infection in blood from older donors and donors who are non-professional workers may provide insights into targeted groups for blood screening.
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Opara I, Lardier DT, Herrera A, Garcia-Reid P, Reid RJ. Increasing Viral Hepatitis Knowledge Among Urban Ethnic Minority Youth: Findings from a Community Based Prevention Intervention. J Community Health 2020; 45:269-277. [PMID: 31515664 PMCID: PMC7065932 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00740-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis (VH) knowledge among youth is understudied in the United States. There has been a rise in VH cases in the U.S. in the wake of the opioid epidemic. Innovative approaches to preventing the infection are needed especially in urban communities. This study presents preliminary findings from a community-based HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and VH prevention education intervention for ethnic minority youth in a northeastern urban community. We aimed to evaluate VH knowledge and factors associated with knowledge. Participants in the study completed a baseline survey followed by an exit survey measuring VH knowledge after the intervention. The survey was completed by 691 individuals. Logistic regression analyses were conducted and indicated that there was a significant increase (82.3%) in VH knowledge among youth who participated in the intervention. The development and implementation of VH knowledge interventions can be crucial in alleviating the rise of VH infections in the U.S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ijeoma Opara
- School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, USA.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, USA.
| | - David T Lardier
- Department of Individual, Family, and Community Studies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Andriana Herrera
- Department of Public Health, Montclair State University, Montclair, USA
| | - Pauline Garcia-Reid
- Department of Family Science and Human Development, Montclair State University, Montclair, USA
| | - Robert J Reid
- Department of Family Science and Human Development, Montclair State University, Montclair, USA
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Ankcorn MJ, Tedder RS, Cairns J, Sandmann FG. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Screening for Persistent Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Patients in the United Kingdom: A Model-Based Economic Evaluation. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2020; 23:309-318. [PMID: 32197726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2019.09.2751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite potentially severe and fatal outcomes, recent studies of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients in Europe suggest that hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is underdiagnosed, with a prevalence of active infection of up to 4.4%. OBJECTIVES To determine the cost-effectiveness of introducing routine screening for HEV infection in SOT recipients in the UK. METHODS A Markov cohort model was developed to evaluate the cost-utility of 4 HEV screening options over the lifetime of 1000 SOT recipients. The current baseline of nonsystematic testing was compared with annual screening of all patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR; strategy A) or HEV-antigen (HEV-Ag) detection (strategy B) and selective screening of patients who have a raised alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value by PCR (strategy C) or HEV-Ag (strategy D). The primary outcome was the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). We adopted the National Health Service (NHS) perspective and discounted future costs and benefits at 3.5%. RESULTS At a willingness-to-pay of £20 000/QALY gained, systematic screening of SOT patients by any method (strategy A-D) had a high probability (77.9%) of being cost-effective. Among screening strategies, strategy D is optimal and expected to be cost-saving to the NHS; if only PCR testing strategies are considered, then strategy C becomes cost-effective (£660/QALY). These findings were robust against a wide range of sensitivity and scenario analyses. CONCLUSIONS Our model showed that routine screening for HEV in SOT patients is very likely to be cost-effective in the UK, particularly in patients presenting with an abnormal alanine aminotransferase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Ankcorn
- Blood Borne Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Colindale, London, England, UK; Transfusion Microbiology, National Health Service Blood and Transplant, London, England, UK.
| | - Richard S Tedder
- Blood Borne Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Colindale, London, England, UK; Transfusion Microbiology, National Health Service Blood and Transplant, London, England, UK; Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - John Cairns
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
| | - Frank G Sandmann
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK; Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, Colindale, London, England, UK
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Hudu SA, Niazlin MT, Nordin SA, Harmal NS, Tan SS, Omar H, Shahar H, Mutalib NA, Sekawi Z. Hepatitis E virus isolated from chronic hepatitis B patients in Malaysia: Sequences analysis and genetic diversity suggest zoonotic origin. ALEXANDRIA JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajme.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shuaibu Abdullahi Hudu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Mohd Taib Niazlin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra, Malaysia
| | - Syafinaz Amin Nordin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra, Malaysia
| | - Nabil Saad Harmal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Asia Metropolitan University, 81750 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Soek Siam Tan
- Department of Hepatology, Selayang Hospital, Lebuh Selayang-Kepong , Batu Caves, 68100 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Haniza Omar
- Department of Hepatology, Selayang Hospital, Lebuh Selayang-Kepong , Batu Caves, 68100 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Hamiza Shahar
- Department of Hepatology, Selayang Hospital, Lebuh Selayang-Kepong , Batu Caves, 68100 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Noor Aliza Mutalib
- Department of Hepatology, Selayang Hospital, Lebuh Selayang-Kepong , Batu Caves, 68100 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Zamberi Sekawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra, Malaysia
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Brechot C, Bryant J, Endtz H, Garry RF, Griffin DE, Lewin SR, Mercer N, Osterhaus A, Picot V, Vahlne A, Verjans GMGM, Weaver S. 2018 international meeting of the Global Virus Network. Antiviral Res 2019; 163:140-148. [PMID: 30690044 PMCID: PMC7127431 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Global Virus Network (GVN) was established in 2011 to strengthen research and responses to emerging viral causes of human disease and to prepare against new viral pandemics. There are now 45 GVN Centers of Excellence and 7 Affiliate laboratories in 29 countries. The 10th International GVN meeting was held from November 28–30, 2018 in Veyrier du Lac, France and was co-hosted by the two GVN Centers of Excellence, the Mérieux Foundation and the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo). The theme of this 10th International GVN meeting was “Eradication and control of (re-) emerging viruses”. This report highlights the recent accomplishments of GVN researchers in several important areas of medical virology, including strategies for the eradication of smallpox, measles, polio, SARS and vector-borne or zoonotic infections, emergence and intervention strategies for retroviruses and arboviruses, preparedness for outbreaks of Filo- and other hemophilic viruses, pathogenesis, impact and prevention of respiratory viruses, as well as, viruses affecting the central and peripheral nervous system. Also threats in crisis settings like refugee camps were presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hubert Endtz
- Mérieux Foundation and the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Diane E Griffin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sharon R Lewin
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, and Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Anders Vahlne
- The Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Georges M G M Verjans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; TiHo-RIZ, Hannover, Germany
| | - Scott Weaver
- The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, USA
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12
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Webb GW, Dalton HR. Hepatitis E: an underestimated emerging threat. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2019; 6:2049936119837162. [PMID: 30984394 PMCID: PMC6448100 DOI: 10.1177/2049936119837162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of viral hepatitis in the world. It is estimated that millions of people are infected every year, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. However, these estimates do not include industrialized regions and are based on studies which employ assays now known to have inferior sensitivity. As such, this is likely to represent a massive underestimate of the true global burden of disease. In the developing world, HEV causes large outbreaks and presents a significant public-health problem. Until recently HEV was thought to be uncommon in industrialized countries, and of little relevance to clinicians in these settings. We now know that this is incorrect, and that HEV is actually very common in developed regions. HEV has proved difficult to study in vitro, with reliable models only recently becoming available. Our understanding of the lifecycle of HEV is therefore incomplete. Routes of transmission vary by genotype and location: endemic regions experience large waterborne epidemics, while sporadic cases in industrialized regions are zoonotic infections likely spread via the food chain. Both acute and chronic infection has been observed, and a wide range of extrahepatic manifestations have been reported. This includes neurological, haematological and renal conditions. As the complete clinical phenotype of HEV infection is yet to be characterized, a large proportion of cases go unrecognized or misdiagnosed. In many cases HEV infection does not feature in the differential diagnosis due to a lack of knowledge and awareness of the disease amongst clinicians. In combination, these factors have contributed to an underestimation of the threat posed by HEV. Improvements are required in terms of recognition and diagnosis of HEV infection if we are to understand the natural history of the disease, improve management and reduce the burden of disease around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glynn W. Webb
- University of Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, 7 Radnor Rd London NW6 6TT Manchester, UK
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13
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King NJ, Hewitt J, Perchec-Merien AM. Hiding in Plain Sight? It's Time to Investigate Other Possible Transmission Routes for Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Developed Countries. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2018; 10:225-252. [PMID: 29623595 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-018-9342-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Historically in developed countries, reported hepatitis E cases were typically travellers returning from countries where hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic, but now there are increasing numbers of non-travel-related ("autochthonous") cases being reported. Data for HEV in New Zealand remain limited and the transmission routes unproven. We critically reviewed the scientific evidence supporting HEV transmission routes in other developed countries to inform how people in New Zealand may be exposed to this virus. A substantial body of indirect evidence shows domesticated pigs are a source of zoonotic human HEV infection, but there is an information bias towards this established reservoir. The increasing range of animals in which HEV has been detected makes it important to consider other possible animal reservoirs of HEV genotypes that can or could infect humans. Foodborne transmission of HEV from swine and deer products has been proven, and a large body of indirect evidence (e.g. food surveys, epidemiological studies and phylogenetic analyses) support pig products as vehicles of HEV infection. Scarce data from other foods suggest we are neglecting other potential sources of foodborne HEV infection. Moreover, other transmission routes are scarcely investigated in developed countries; the role of infected food handlers, person-to-person transmission via the faecal-oral route, and waterborne transmission from recreational contact or drinking untreated or inadequately treated water. People have become symptomatic after receiving transfusions of HEV-contaminated blood, but it is unclear how important this is in the overall hepatitis E disease burden. There is need for broader research efforts to support establishing risk-based controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J King
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua, 5022, New Zealand
| | - Joanne Hewitt
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua, 5022, New Zealand.
| | - Anne-Marie Perchec-Merien
- New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand
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14
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Nan Y, Wu C, Zhao Q, Zhou EM. Zoonotic Hepatitis E Virus: An Ignored Risk for Public Health. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2396. [PMID: 29255453 PMCID: PMC5723051 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a quasi-enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. HEV belongs to the family Hepeviridae, a family comprised of highly diverse viruses originating from various species. Since confirmation of HEV's zoonosis, HEV-induced hepatitis has been a public health concern both for developing and developed countries. Meanwhile, the demonstration of a broad host range for zoonotic HEV suggests the existence of a variety of transmission routes that could lead to human infection. Moreover, anti-HEV antibody serosurveillance worldwide demonstrates a higher than expected HEV prevalence rate that conflicts with the rarity and sporadic nature of reported acute hepatitis E cases. In recent years, chronic HEV infection, HEV-related acute hepatic failure, and extrahepatic manifestations caused by HEV infection have been frequently reported. These observations suggest a significant underestimation of the number and complexity of transmission routes previously predicted to cause HEV-related disease, with special emphasis on zoonotic HEV as a public health concern. Significant research has revealed details regarding the virology and infectivity of zoonotic HEV in both humans and animals. In this review, the discovery of HEV zoonosis, recent progress in our understanding of the zoonotic HEV host range, and classification of diverse HEV or HEV-like isolates from various hosts are reviewed in a historic context. Ultimately, this review focuses on current understanding of viral pathogenesis and cross-species transmission of zoonotic HEV. Moreover, host factors and viral determinants influencing HEV host tropism are discussed to provide new insights into HEV transmission and prevalence mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Xianyang, China
| | - Chunyan Wu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Xianyang, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Xianyang, China
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Xianyang, China
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15
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O'Riordan J, Boland F, Williams P, Donnellan J, Hogema BM, Ijaz S, Murphy WG. Hepatitis E virus infection in the Irish blood donor population. Transfusion 2016; 56:2868-2876. [DOI: 10.1111/trf.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joan O'Riordan
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service, National Blood Centre; Dublin Ireland
| | - Fiona Boland
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service, National Blood Centre; Dublin Ireland
| | - Padraig Williams
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service, National Blood Centre; Dublin Ireland
| | - Joe Donnellan
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service, National Blood Centre; Dublin Ireland
| | - Boris M. Hogema
- Departments of Blood-borne Infections and Virology; Sanquin Research and Diagnostic Services; Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Samreen Ijaz
- Blood Borne Virus Unit, Virus Reference Department; National Infection Service, Public Health England; London UK
| | - William G. Murphy
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service, National Blood Centre; Dublin Ireland
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