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Gutiérrez SE, Arce LP, Bence AR, Matias Brancher J, Rivero M, Moran C, Vizoso-Pinto MG, Estein SM. Unraveling swine hepatitis E in the central region of Argentina through ELISA development and epidemiological insights. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 103:102082. [PMID: 37918283 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health concern globally, causing acute viral hepatitis in humans. Genotype-3 HEV (HEV-3), the most frequently genotype detected in South America, is zoonotic and the main reservoirs are the domestic pig and wild boar. Circulation of HEV-3 in Argentina has been confirmed in humans as well as in pig herds, wild boar and environmental waters. However, data are scarce mainly due to the inaccessibility of serological assays in this country. In order to provide insights in the epidemiology of HEV in swine in Argentina, we developed an indirect ELISA based on the native recombinant protein ORF2 and conducted a serological survey to determine the prevalence of seropositive swine in small-scale pig farms in the central region of Argentina. The method was evaluated in a panel of 157 serum samples, resulting in relative sensitivity of 98.6 % (95 % CI 95 %-100 %) and relative specificity of 97.7 % (95 % CI 94 %-100 %) compared to a commercial test. An almost perfect agreement was obtained between the two tests (Kappa index of 0.961). A survey on 294 samples from 49 small-scale farms resulted in a seropositivity rate of 54 %. Seropositive animals were found in 34 out of 49 (69.4 %) farms. Most of the farms (70.6 %) had over 50 % of seropositive animals. The wide spreading of HEV in the swine population of Tandil, Argentina, underscore the need to better understand the epidemiology of HEV in the region, enabling the implementation of targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of this virus on public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvina Elena Gutiérrez
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Lorena Paola Arce
- Laboratorio de Biología de las Infecciones. INSIBIO (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina
| | - Angel Ricardo Bence
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Matias Brancher
- Laboratorio de Biología de las Infecciones. INSIBIO (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina
| | - Mariana Rivero
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Celeste Moran
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Guadalupe Vizoso-Pinto
- Laboratorio de Biología de las Infecciones. INSIBIO (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina; Laboratorio Central de Ciencias Básicas, Or. Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán 4000, Argentina.
| | - Silvia Marcela Estein
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Núcleo SAMP. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Pinto 399, Tandil 7000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Di Cola G, Di Cola G, Fantilli A, Mamani V, Tamiozzo P, Martínez Wassaf M, Nates SV, Ré VE, Pisano MB. High circulation of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in pigs from the central region of Argentina without evidence of virus occurrence in pork meat and derived products. Res Vet Sci 2023; 164:105000. [PMID: 37708830 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.105000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging cause of viral hepatitis and pigs are considered a reservoir for the virus. HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) has been reported in pigs, environmental matrices, and sporadic human cases in Argentina. We aimed to investigate HEV circulation in pigs from central Argentina and to assess the virus presence in pork meat and food products. Four types of samples obtained or derived from pigs collected in Córdoba province (Argentina) between 2019 and 2022, were tested: 276 serum samples were analyzed for anti-HEV antibody detection; stool (n = 20), pork meat (n = 71), and salami (n = 76) samples were studied for RNA-HEV detection, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. The positivity rate for anti-HEV antibodies was 80.1% (221/276). Eleven fecal samples (11/20) tested positive for RNA-HEV, from animals under 120 days of age. Three samples could be sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses revealed that they belonged to HEV-3 clade abchijklm, clustering close to strains previously detected in wastewater from Córdoba. None of the muscle meat or salami samples tested positive. A high HEV circulation in pigs was found, showing that these animals may play a significant role in the viral maintenance in the region, becoming a potential risk to the exposed population. Despite not detecting RNA-HEV in pork meat and salami in our study, we cannot rule out the possibility of foodborne transmission in Córdoba province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Di Cola
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J.M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez S/N, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
| | - Gabriel Di Cola
- Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta N° 36 - Km. 601, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina; Laboratorio de Salud Animal, Juan B. Justo 269, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Anabella Fantilli
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J.M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez S/N, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Vanesa Mamani
- LACE Laboratorios, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 528, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pablo Tamiozzo
- Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta N° 36 - Km. 601, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | - Silvia Viviana Nates
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J.M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez S/N, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Viviana E Ré
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J.M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez S/N, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - María Belén Pisano
- Instituto de Virología "Dr. J.M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional Córdoba, Enfermera Gordillo Gomez S/N, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
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Rivero MA, Arce LP, Gutiérrez SE, Tisnés A, Passucci JA, Silva JA, Barón Prato A, Sánchez F, Matias Brancher J, Estein SM, Vizoso-Pinto MG. Exploring hepatitis E virus seroprevalence and associated risk factors among the human population in Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1257754. [PMID: 37869189 PMCID: PMC10585172 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1257754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a common cause of acute clinical hepatitis worldwide and is emerging as a disease in Argentina. It is primarily transmitted through contaminated water and food, following the fecal-oral route. Furthermore, is a zoonotic disease with swine as the primary reservoir. Prevalence of HEV infection in humans in several regions of Argentina remains unknown. Objectives (i) Determine the seroprevalence of HEV among the human population in Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (ii) Evaluate its association with demographic, socioeconomic and other risk exposures variables, and (iii) Describe and analyze spatial patterns related to HEV infection. Methods From August 2020 to July 2021, serum samples were collected from 969 individuals aged 1-80 years. Seroprevalence and 95% Confidence Interval was determined. To assess the factors associated with the presence of anti-HEV antibodies, associations between the variables and seropositivity were evaluated through bivariate and multivariate analysis. Spatial scanning for clusters of positivity was carried out. Factors associated with these clusters were also assessed. Results Anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 4.64% (IC 95% 3.27-6.02) of samples. Dark urine was associated with seropositivity (p = 0.02). Seropositivity was linked with the presence of natural water courses near their households (p = 0.02); the age (p = 0.04); and previous travel to Europe (p = 0.04). A spatial cluster of low rates of HEV seropositivity was detected, with greater distance of the households to water courses associated to the cluster, and male sex inversely associated to it. Discussion and conclusion This study is the first study to investigate the prevalence of HEV in the population from Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Considering HEV infection in the differential diagnosis in individuals presenting acute hepatitis is highlighted. The incorporation of HEV testing into blood screening policies should be mandatory. Factors related to the infection and spatial patterns of high and low risk were determined, and should be considered when implementing specific preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Alejandra Rivero
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Tandil, Argentina
| | - Lorena Paola Arce
- Laboratorio de Biología de las Infecciones, Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas Or. Genética, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Silvina Elena Gutiérrez
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Tandil, Argentina
| | - Adela Tisnés
- Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, CIG- IGEHCS- CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Tandil, Argentina
| | - Juan Antonio Passucci
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Tandil, Argentina
| | - Julia Analia Silva
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Tandil, Argentina
| | - Ayelén Barón Prato
- Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, CIG- IGEHCS- CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Tandil, Argentina
| | - Florencia Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Tandil, Argentina
| | - Julia Matias Brancher
- Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas Or. Genética, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Silvia Marcela Estein
- Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), Tandil, Argentina
| | - María Guadalupe Vizoso-Pinto
- Laboratorio de Biología de las Infecciones, Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas Or. Genética, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
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Cancela F, Icasuriaga R, Cuevas S, Hergatacorzian V, Olivera M, Panzera Y, Pérez R, López J, Borzacconi L, González E, Montaldo N, Gaitán M, López-Verges S, Bortagaray V, Victoria M, Colina R, Arbiza J, Berois M, Mirazo S. Epidemiology Update of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Uruguay: Subtyping, Environmental Surveillance and Zoonotic Transmission. Viruses 2023; 15:2006. [PMID: 37896784 PMCID: PMC10612089 DOI: 10.3390/v15102006] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection is an emergent zoonotic disease of increasing concern in developed regions. HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) is mainly transmitted through consumption of contaminated food in high-income countries and is classified into at least 13 subtypes (3a-3n), based on p-distance values from complete genomes. In Latin America, HEV epidemiology studies are very scant. Our group has previously detected HEV3 in clinical cases, swine, wild boars, captive white-collared peccaries, and spotted deer from Uruguay. Herein, we aimed to provide novel insights and an updated overview of the molecular epidemiology of zoonotic HEV in Uruguay, including data from wastewater-based surveillance studies. A thorough analysis of HEV whole genomes and partial ORF2 sequences from Uruguayan human and domestic pig strains showed that they formed a separate monophyletic cluster with high nucleotide identity and exhibited p-distance values over the established cut-off (0.093) compared with reference subtypes' sequences. Furthermore, we found an overall prevalence of 10.87% (10/92) in wastewater, where two samples revealed a close relationship with humans, and animal reservoirs/hosts isolates from Uruguay. In conclusion, a single, new HEV-3 subtype currently circulates in different epidemiological settings in Uruguay, and we propose its designation as 3o along with its reference sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Cancela
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (F.C.)
- Sección Virología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (N.M.)
| | - Romina Icasuriaga
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (F.C.)
| | - Santiago Cuevas
- Sección Virología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (N.M.)
| | - Valentina Hergatacorzian
- Sección Virología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (N.M.)
| | - Mauricio Olivera
- Sección Virología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (N.M.)
| | - Yanina Panzera
- Sección Genética Evolutiva, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (R.P.)
| | - Ruben Pérez
- Sección Genética Evolutiva, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (R.P.)
| | - Julieta López
- Departamento de Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Liliana Borzacconi
- Instituto de Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Elizabeth González
- Departamento de Ingeniería Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Natalia Montaldo
- Sección Virología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (N.M.)
| | - Melissa Gaitán
- Departamento de Virología y Biotecnología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panamá 0801, Panama
| | - Sandra López-Verges
- Departamento de Virología y Biotecnología, Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Panamá 0801, Panama
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, Senacyt, Panamá 0801, Panama
| | - Viviana Bortagaray
- Laboratorio de Virología molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Sede Salto, Universidad de la República, Salto 50000, Uruguay (M.V.)
| | - Matías Victoria
- Laboratorio de Virología molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Sede Salto, Universidad de la República, Salto 50000, Uruguay (M.V.)
| | - Rodney Colina
- Laboratorio de Virología molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, CENUR Litoral Norte, Sede Salto, Universidad de la República, Salto 50000, Uruguay (M.V.)
| | - Juan Arbiza
- Sección Virología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (N.M.)
| | - Mabel Berois
- Sección Virología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay (N.M.)
| | - Santiago Mirazo
- Departamento de Bacteriología y Virología, Instituto de Higiene, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (F.C.)
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Viera-Segura O, Calderón-Flores A, Batún-Alfaro JA, Fierro NA. Tracing the History of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Mexico: From the Enigmatic Genotype 2 to the Current Disease Situation. Viruses 2023; 15:1911. [PMID: 37766316 PMCID: PMC10536485 DOI: 10.3390/v15091911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the major cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. This virus is responsible for waterborne outbreaks in low-income countries and zoonosis transmission in industrialized regions. Initially, considered self-limiting, HEV may also lead to chronic disease, and evidence supports that infection can be considered a systemic disease. In the late 1980s, Mexico became a hot spot in the study of HEV due to one of the first virus outbreaks in Latin America related to enterically transmitted viral non-A, non-B hepatitis. Viral stool particles recovered from Mexican viral hepatitis outbreaks represented the first identification of HEV genotype (Gt) 2 (Gt2) in the world. No new findings of HEV-Gt2 have been reported in the country, whereas this genotype has been found in countries on the African continent. Recent investigations in Mexico have identified other strains (HEV-Gt1 and -Gt3) and a high frequency of anti-HEV antibodies in animal and human populations. Herein, the potential reasons for the disappearance of HEV-Gt2 in Mexico and the advances in the study of HEV in the country are discussed along with challenges in studying this neglected pathogen. These pieces of information are expected to contribute to disease control in the entire Latin American region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Viera-Segura
- Laboratorio de Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Emergentes y Reemergentes, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
| | - Arturo Calderón-Flores
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Julio A. Batún-Alfaro
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Nora A. Fierro
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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High prevalence of hepatitis A and E viruses in environmental and clinical samples from West Argentina. Braz J Infect Dis 2023; 27:102738. [PMID: 36603828 PMCID: PMC9926214 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2022.102738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental surveillance of water sources is important to monitoring viral hepatitis transmission in clinical settings. This study investigated the circulation of hepatitis A (HAV) and E (HEV) viruses in sewage and clinical samples from Argentina. Between 2016 and 2017, 80 raw sewage samples and 86 clinical samples (stool and serum) from suspected cases of hepatitis A and hepatitis E were obtained. HAV and HEV were tested by both real-time and nested PCR. Positive samples were sequenced for genotype determination and phylogenetic analysis. Overall, HAV was recovered in 39% of sewage samples and 61.1% of clinical samples. HEV was detected in 22.5% of sewage samples and 15.9% of clinical samples. HAV was found more frequently in sewage during the winter and in clinical samples in spring; HEV was more prevalent in sewage during summer and in clinical samples in autumn. All HAV isolates belonged to genotype IA and HEV isolates belonged to genotype 3, the most prevalent genotypes in South America. High prevalence of HAV and HEV in environmental and clinical samples in Mendoza, Argentina was observed. These findings reinforce the importance of environmental surveillance and implementation of health strategies to control the spread of HAV and HEV in developing countries.
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Maidana-Kulesza MN, Poma HR, Sanguino-Jorquera DG, Reyes SI, Del Milagro Said-Adamo M, Mainardi-Remis JM, Gutiérrez-Cacciabue D, Cristóbal HA, Cruz MC, Aparicio González M, Rajal VB. Tracking SARS-CoV-2 in rivers as a tool for epidemiological surveillance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022. [PMID: 35908692 DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.17.21259122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate if rivers could be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. Five sampling points from three rivers (AR-1 and AR-2 in Arenales River, MR-1 and MR-2 in Mojotoro River, and CR in La Caldera River) from Salta (Argentina), two of them receiving discharges from wastewater plants (WWTP), were monitored from July to December 2020. Fifteen water samples from each point (75 in total) were collected and characterized physico-chemically and microbiologically and SARS-CoV-2 was quantified by RT-qPCR. Also, two targets linked to human contributions, human polyomavirus (HPyV) and RNase P, were quantified and used to normalize SARS-CoV-2 concentration, which was compared to reported COVID-19 cases. Statistical analyses allowed us to verify the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), as well as to find similarities and differences between sampling points. La Caldera River showed the best water quality; FIBs were within acceptable limits for recreational activities. Mojotoro River's water quality was not affected by the northern WWTP of the city. Instead, Arenales River presented the poorest water quality; at AR-2 was negatively affected by the discharges of the southern WWTP, which contributed to significant increase of fecal contamination. SARS-CoV-2 was found in about half of samples in low concentrations in La Caldera and Mojotoro Rivers, while it was high and persistent in Arenales River. No human tracers were detected in CR, only HPyV was found in MR-1, MR-2 and AR-1, and both were quantified in AR-2. The experimental and normalized viral concentrations strongly correlated with reported COVID-19 cases; thus, Arenales River at AR-2 reflected the epidemiological situation of the city. This is the first study showing the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 concentration in an urban river highly impacted by wastewater and proved that can be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance to support health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Noel Maidana-Kulesza
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Hugo Ramiro Poma
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Diego Gastón Sanguino-Jorquera
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Sarita Isabel Reyes
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - María Del Milagro Said-Adamo
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Juan Martín Mainardi-Remis
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Dolores Gutiérrez-Cacciabue
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Héctor Antonio Cristóbal
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Cecilia Cruz
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Mónica Aparicio González
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Verónica Beatriz Rajal
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Science Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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8
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Maidana-Kulesza MN, Poma HR, Sanguino-Jorquera DG, Reyes SI, Del Milagro Said-Adamo M, Mainardi-Remis JM, Gutiérrez-Cacciabue D, Cristóbal HA, Cruz MC, Aparicio González M, Rajal VB. Tracking SARS-CoV-2 in rivers as a tool for epidemiological surveillance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 848:157707. [PMID: 35908692 PMCID: PMC9334864 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate if rivers could be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. Five sampling points from three rivers (AR-1 and AR-2 in Arenales River, MR-1 and MR-2 in Mojotoro River, and CR in La Caldera River) from Salta (Argentina), two of them receiving discharges from wastewater plants (WWTP), were monitored from July to December 2020. Fifteen water samples from each point (75 in total) were collected and characterized physico-chemically and microbiologically and SARS-CoV-2 was quantified by RT-qPCR. Also, two targets linked to human contributions, human polyomavirus (HPyV) and RNase P, were quantified and used to normalize SARS-CoV-2 concentration, which was compared to reported COVID-19 cases. Statistical analyses allowed us to verify the correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and the concentration of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), as well as to find similarities and differences between sampling points. La Caldera River showed the best water quality; FIBs were within acceptable limits for recreational activities. Mojotoro River's water quality was not affected by the northern WWTP of the city. Instead, Arenales River presented the poorest water quality; at AR-2 was negatively affected by the discharges of the southern WWTP, which contributed to significant increase of fecal contamination. SARS-CoV-2 was found in about half of samples in low concentrations in La Caldera and Mojotoro Rivers, while it was high and persistent in Arenales River. No human tracers were detected in CR, only HPyV was found in MR-1, MR-2 and AR-1, and both were quantified in AR-2. The experimental and normalized viral concentrations strongly correlated with reported COVID-19 cases; thus, Arenales River at AR-2 reflected the epidemiological situation of the city. This is the first study showing the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 concentration in an urban river highly impacted by wastewater and proved that can be used for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance to support health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Noel Maidana-Kulesza
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Hugo Ramiro Poma
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Diego Gastón Sanguino-Jorquera
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Sarita Isabel Reyes
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - María Del Milagro Said-Adamo
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Juan Martín Mainardi-Remis
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Dolores Gutiérrez-Cacciabue
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Héctor Antonio Cristóbal
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Cecilia Cruz
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Mónica Aparicio González
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - Verónica Beatriz Rajal
- Laboratorio de Aguas y Suelos, Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, UNSa, Av. Bolivia 5150, Salta 4400, Argentina; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Science Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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9
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Takuissu GR, Kenmoe S, Ndip L, Ebogo-Belobo JT, Kengne-Ndé C, Mbaga DS, Bowo-Ngandji A, Oyono MG, Kenfack-Momo R, Tchatchouang S, Kenfack-Zanguim J, Lontuo Fogang R, Zeuko'o Menkem E, Kame-Ngasse GI, Magoudjou-Pekam JN, Nkie Esemu S, Veneri C, Mancini P, Bonanno Ferraro G, Iaconelli M, Suffredini E, La Rosa G. Hepatitis E Virus in Water Environments: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2022; 14:223-235. [PMID: 36036329 PMCID: PMC9458591 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-022-09530-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for acute hepatitis in humans, through foodborne, zoonotic, and waterborne transmission routes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HEV in water matrices. Six categories were defined: untreated and treated wastewater, surface water (river, lake, and seawater), drinking water, groundwater, and other water environments (irrigation water, grey water, reservoir water, flood water, and effluent of pig slaughterhouse). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, and Excerpta Medica Database. Study selection and data extraction were performed by at least two independent investigators. Heterogeneity (I2) was assessed using the χ2 test on the Cochran Q statistic and H parameter. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analysis. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42021289116. We included 87 prevalence studies from 58 papers, 66.4% of which performed in Europe. The overall prevalence of HEV in water was 9.8% (95% CI 6.4-13.7). The prevalence was higher in untreated wastewater (15.1%) and lower in treated wastewater (3.8%) and in drinking water (4.7%). In surface water, prevalence was 7.4%, and in groundwater, the percentage of positive samples, from only one study available, was 8.3%. Overall, only 36.8% of the studies reported the genotype of HEV, with genotype 3 (HEV-3) prevalent (168 samples), followed by HEV-1 (148 sample), and HEV-4 (2 samples). High-income countries were the most represented with 59/87 studies (67.8%), while only 3/87 (3.5%) of the studies were performed in low-income countries. The overall prevalence obtained of this study was generally higher in industrialized countries. Risk of bias was low in 14.9% of the studies and moderate in 85.1%. The results of this review showed the occurrence of HEV in different waters environments also in industrialized countries with sanitation and safe water supplies. While HEV transmission to humans through water has been widely demonstrated in developing countries, it is an issue still pending in industrialized countries. Better knowledge on the source of pollution, occurrence, survival in water, and removal by water treatment is needed to unravel this transmission path.
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Affiliation(s)
- G R Takuissu
- Centre for Food, Food Security and Nutrition Research, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - S Kenmoe
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - L Ndip
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - J T Ebogo-Belobo
- Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - C Kengne-Ndé
- Epidemiological Surveillance, Evaluation and Research Unit, National AIDS Control Committee, Douala, Cameroon
| | - D S Mbaga
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - A Bowo-Ngandji
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - M G Oyono
- Centre for Research on Health and Priority Pathologies, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - R Kenfack-Momo
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - S Tchatchouang
- Scientific Direction, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - J Kenfack-Zanguim
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - R Lontuo Fogang
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - E Zeuko'o Menkem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - G I Kame-Ngasse
- Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - S Nkie Esemu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - C Veneri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - P Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M Iaconelli
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - E Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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10
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Alzate D, Lopez-Osorio MC, Cortes-Mancera F, Navas MC, Orozco J. Detection of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in wastewater by an electrochemical genosensor. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1221:340121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340121] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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11
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Di Lello FA, Blejer J, Alter A, Bartoli S, Vargas F, Ruiz R, Galli C, Blanco S, Carrizo LH, Gallego S, Fernández R, Martínez AP, Flichman DM. Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in Argentinean blood donors. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 33:1322-1326. [PMID: 32675777 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of enteric acute viral hepatitis worldwide. In this epidemiological framework, it has become a threat to blood safety and a relevant issue for blood transfusions. However, there is a paucity of data regarding prevalence of HEV infection. The aim of this study was to determine HEV seroprevalence in blood donors from different regions from Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum samples from 391 individuals attending five blood donor centers located in different regions from Argentina were analyzed for anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM. RESULTS Overall, anti-HEV IgG was detected in 44 out of 391 (11.3%) samples. HEV prevalence ranged from 5.1 to 20.0% among different country regions. A significant difference in blood donors' age was observed between anti-HEV IgG positive and negative individuals [44 (37-51) vs. 35 (27-43), P < 0.001, respectively]. Anti-HEV IgM was detected in 8 out of 44 (18.2%) anti-HEV IgG positive cases. CONCLUSION Anti-HEV IgG was detected in blood donor samples from five analyzed Argentinean regions, highlighting the wide distribution of the virus in the country. HEV prevalence was variable among different regions and significantly higher in older donors. Given the evidence of anti-HEV IgM presence in blood donors, suggesting a potential risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV, screening for HEV in blood units to be used in vulnerable population would be desirable. Molecular studies for detection of viremic donors and donor-recipients follow-up are necessary to certainly determine the risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico A Di Lello
- Departamento de microbiología, inmunología, biotecnología y genética, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Buenos Aires
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | | | - Adriana Alter
- Fundación Hemocentro, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
| | - Sonia Bartoli
- Centro regional de Hemoterapia Jujuy, San Salvador de Jujuy, Jujuy
| | - Fabiana Vargas
- Centro Regional de Hemoterapia de Mendoza, Mendoza, Mendoza
| | - Rosángela Ruiz
- Hospital Regional Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego
| | - Claudio Galli
- Hospital Regional Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego
| | - Sebastián Blanco
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
- Fundación Banco Central de Sangre, Córdoba, Córdoba
| | | | - Sandra Gallego
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
- Fundación Banco Central de Sangre, Córdoba, Córdoba
| | | | - Alfredo P Martínez
- Sección Virología, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno 'CEMIC'
| | - Diego M Flichman
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (INBIRS) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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12
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Zorzetto R, Klein RL, Erpen LMS, Klein BD, Giacobbo I, da Silveira RA, Frandoloso R, Kreutz LC. Unusual high prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus in South Brazil. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2021; 368:6312495. [PMID: 34196363 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnab076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is worldwide distributed and might cause acute or chronic hepatitis mainly in immunocompromised individuals. In previous studies we found a high prevalence of antibodies to HEV within blood donors in south Brazil and also within backyard-raised pigs. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of anti-HEV antibody and HEV RNA within the general population from three major municipalities (Caxias do Sul, Passo Fundo and Santa Maria) in south Brazil. A total of 3000 blood samples were randomly obtained from clinical laboratories at each of the three municipality (n = 1000 each) to determine the presence of anti-HEV antibodies and HEV RNA. Overall, anti-HEV antibodies were detected in 574/1000 (57,4%) samples in Caxias do Sul, 655/1000 (65.5%) samples in Passo Fundo and 554/1000 (55.4%) samples in Santa Maria. The prevalence of HEV-positive samples increased steadily and significantly (P < 0,001) with age and was unusually higher within individual over 40 years. Despite of this, none of the pooled serum samples had detectable levels of HEV RNA. The high anti-HEV antibody prevalence suggests that the virus might be present on the environment and/or foodstuff and poses a permanent threat to immune-compromised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Zorzetto
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, BR 285, Km 292 - Campus I, Bairro São José, Passo Fundo, 99052-900, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Luiza Klein
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, BR 285, Km 292 - Campus I, Bairro São José, Passo Fundo, 99052-900, Brazil
| | - Luana Marina Sheer Erpen
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, BR 285, Km 292 - Campus I, Bairro São José, Passo Fundo, 99052-900, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Diel Klein
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, BR 285, Km 292 - Campus I, Bairro São José, Passo Fundo, 99052-900, Brazil
| | - Igor Giacobbo
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, BR 285, Km 292 - Campus I, Bairro São José, Passo Fundo, 99052-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Arrua da Silveira
- Scientia Cursos. Rua Carlos Brenner, 220, Bairro Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, 97050-100, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Frandoloso
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, BR 285, Km 292 - Campus I, Bairro São José, Passo Fundo, 99052-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Kreutz
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Imunologia Avançada, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Passo Fundo, BR 285, Km 292 - Campus I, Bairro São José, Passo Fundo, 99052-900, Brazil
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13
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Martínez AP, Pereson MJ, Pérez PS, Baeck MI, Mandó P, López Saubidet I, Di Lello FA. Prevalence of hepatitis E virus in children from Northeast of Argentina. J Med Virol 2021; 93:4015-4017. [PMID: 32639583 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in a young population from the Northeast region of Argentina. Four hundred and twelve patients under 18 years old, from rural areas of Chaco Province, were tested for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 7 out of 412 patients, accounting for an overall 1.7% prevalence. HEV infection in developing countries is associated to lack of clean drinking water. Consequently, the seroprevalence observed in children in rural areas of Chaco, Argentina, where the access to tap water is less than 15%, was unexpectedly low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo P Martínez
- Virology Section, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno "CEMIC", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matías J Pereson
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula S Pérez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida (INBIRS)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Inés Baeck
- Internal Medicine Staff, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno "CEMIC", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Mandó
- Internal Medicine Staff, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno "CEMIC", Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ignacio López Saubidet
- Internal Medicine Staff, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno "CEMIC", Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Fundación San Lucas de la Pastoral Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico A Di Lello
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones en Bacteriología y Virología Molecular (IBaViM), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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14
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Pisano MB, Culasso ACA, Altabert N, Martínez Wassaf MG, Nates SV, González J, Contigiani MS, Campos R, Ré VE. Phylogeography and evolutionary history of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in Argentina. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 116:34-42. [PMID: 33739412 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab044] [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: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies about the evolutionary history of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) have been conducted. The aim of our work was to investigate and make inferences about the origin and routes of dispersion of HEV-3 in Argentina. METHODS Phylogenetic, coalescent and phylogeographic analyses were performed using a 322-bp ORF2 genomic fragment of all HEV-3 sequences with known date and place of isolation published at GenBank until May 2018 (n=926), including 16 Argentinian sequences (isolated from pigs, water and humans). RESULTS Phylogenetic analysis revealed two clades within HEV-3: abchij and efg. All Argentinian samples were grouped intermingled within clade 3abchij. The coalescent analysis showed that the most recent common ancestor for the clade 3abchij would have existed around the year 1967 (95% highest posterior density (HPD): 1963-1970). The estimated substitution rate was 1.01×10-2 (95%HPD: 9.3×10-3-1.09×10-2) substitutions/site/y, comparable with the rate previously described. The phylogeographic approach revealed a correspondence between phylogeny and place of origin for Argentinian samples, suggesting many HEV introductions in the country, probably from Europe and Japan. CONCLUSIONS This is the first evolutionary inference of HEV-3 that includes Argentinian strains, showing the circulation of many HEV-3 subtypes, obtained from different sources and places, with recent diversification processes. ACCESSION NUMBERS [KX812460], [KX812461], [KX812462], [KX812465], [KX812466], [KX812467], [KX812468], [KX812469].
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Affiliation(s)
- María B Pisano
- Instituto de Virología 'Dr J. M. Vanella', Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Enfermera Gordillo Gómez s/n. CP: 5016. Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Técnica (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Andrés C A Culasso
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Técnica (CONICET), Argentina
- Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Junín 954. CP: C1113 AAD. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nancy Altabert
- Servicio de Hepatitis y Gastroenteritis, Departamento Virología, Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia INEI-ANLIS "Dr Carlos G. Malbrán". Vélez Sársfield 563. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maribel G Martínez Wassaf
- Laboratorio de Virología y Biología Molecular, LACE Laboratorios. Vélez Sársfield 528. CP: 5000. Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Silvia V Nates
- Instituto de Virología 'Dr J. M. Vanella', Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Enfermera Gordillo Gómez s/n. CP: 5016. Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Jorge González
- Servicio de Hepatitis y Gastroenteritis, Departamento Virología, Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia INEI-ANLIS "Dr Carlos G. Malbrán". Vélez Sársfield 563. Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marta S Contigiani
- Instituto de Virología 'Dr J. M. Vanella', Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Enfermera Gordillo Gómez s/n. CP: 5016. Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo Campos
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Técnica (CONICET), Argentina
- Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Junín 954. CP: C1113 AAD. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Viviana E Ré
- Instituto de Virología 'Dr J. M. Vanella', Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Enfermera Gordillo Gómez s/n. CP: 5016. Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Técnica (CONICET), Argentina
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15
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Remondegui C, Ceballos S, Arce LP, Pintado E, Vidaurre R, Nitschko H, Osterman A, Vizoso Pinto MG. Serologic evidence of the circulation of the hepatitis E virus and the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A in an indigenous population in northern Argentina. Rev Argent Microbiol 2021; 53:314-324. [PMID: 33648797 DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2005 a universal vaccination program against hepatitis A was introduced in Argentina. Nevertheless, there are still some unvaccinated marginal population groups. There are no data about the seroprevalence of hepatitis E in the northern region of Argentina mainly because of lack of awareness of this emergent pathogen. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A, and hepatitis E in an indigenous population in northern Argentina. One hundred and twenty six (126) donor serum samples collected near San Salvador de Jujuy were analyzed for anti-HAV IgG and HEV IgG and IgM, alkaline phosphatase and transaminase values. Volunteers were interviewed about their living conditions, animal farming, consumption of tap water or river water, and level of education. Seroprevalence of specific anti-HAV antibodies was high (80.2%, 95% confidence interval, 72.1-86.7%) in children under 5 years of age, indicating early infection in life. Seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was 5.6% (95% CI: 2.3-11.2%), being slightly higher than the values found in healthy patients from other regions of the country. Although we could not characterize the genotype of the circulating HEV strain, the clear epidemiological difference between seroprevalence of HAV and HEV in a community with poor sanitary conditions suggest that the circulating HEV strains spread through a different transmission route than HAV. Furthermore a significant correlation between anti-HEV IgG and swine farming was found (p<0.05), which supports a zoonotic transmission path. We reassessed the epidemiological pattern of HAV infection and reported evidence of HEV infection for the first-time in a community belonging to the Guarani ethnic group, highlighting the need to include hepatitis E testing in routine diagnostics in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lorena Paola Arce
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina; Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas, OR. Genética, Facultad de Medicina, INSIBIO (CONICET-UNT), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina
| | | | - Rene Vidaurre
- Hospital Paterson de San Pedro de Jujuy, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Hans Nitschko
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Osterman
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU München, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Germany
| | - María Guadalupe Vizoso Pinto
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina; Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas, OR. Genética, Facultad de Medicina, INSIBIO (CONICET-UNT), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina.
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16
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Pisano MB, Mirazo S, Re VE. Hepatitis E Virus Infection: Is It Really a Problem in Latin America? Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2020; 16:108-113. [PMID: 33005391 PMCID: PMC7508784 DOI: 10.1002/cld.931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Watch a video presentation of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Pisano
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Virología “Dr. J. M. Vanella”CONICETUniversidad Nacional de CórdobaEnfermera Gordillo Gómez s/nCórdobaArgentina
| | - Santiago Mirazo
- Sección VirologíaFacultad de CienciasUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - Viviana E. Re
- Facultad de Ciencias MédicasInstituto de Virología “Dr. J. M. Vanella”CONICETUniversidad Nacional de CórdobaEnfermera Gordillo Gómez s/nCórdobaArgentina
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17
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Wilhelm B, Waddell L, Greig J, Young I. A systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of human hepatitis E virus exposure in non-endemic countries. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:391-406. [PMID: 32196945 PMCID: PMC7317350 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The reported incidence of clinical hepatitis E cases is rising in some non-endemic countries, with concurrent concerns regarding potential hepatitis E virus (HEV) contamination of the blood supply. Therefore, the characterization of major potential sources of human HEV exposure is important to inform risk assessment and public health policy. A systematic review was conducted, including a comprehensive search in six electronic bibliographic databases, verified by hand-searching reference lists of HEV reviews, and a grey literature search, of the broad research question 'what is the evidence of the association between predictors of human HEV exposure, and HEV IgG seropositivity, in non-endemic countries?' Using forms designed a priori, captured studies were appraised at first-level screening, second-level characterization, and third-level data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Meta-analysis yielded summary estimates of association between potential predictors and odds of HEV seropositivity. Meta-analysis and meta-regression of the odds of HEV seroprevalence in specific groups characterized potential sources of HEV exposure. From 4,163 captured citations, 245 relevant studies underwent data extraction, investigating HEV seroprevalence or predictors in both healthy subjects and targeted patient groups. Across these groups, increasing age was a predictor of HEV IgG seropositivity. Both human immunodeficiency virus patients and haemodialysis patients had significantly increased odds of HEV seropositivity relative to the general population. Working with pigs, in forestry, or in hospitals, was significantly associated with increased odds of HEV seropositivity, as were consumption of meat, pork or game meat, or hunting. Chronological time was not associated with HEV seropositivity within our data sets. Further study of the distribution of potential dietary or behavioural predictors between high and lower prevalence areas within non-endemic countries could improve our understanding of the relative importance of specific HEV transmission pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa Waddell
- Public Health Risk Sciences DivisionNational Microbiology LaboratoryPublic Health Agency of CanadaGuelphONCanada
| | - Judy Greig
- Public Health Risk Sciences DivisionNational Microbiology LaboratoryPublic Health Agency of CanadaGuelphONCanada
| | - Ian Young
- School of Occupational and Public HealthRyerson UniversityTorontoONCanada
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18
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Prez VE, Poma HR, Giordano GG, Victoria M, Nates SV, Rajal VB, Barril PA. Rotavirus contamination of surface waters from the northwest of Argentina. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2020; 18:409-415. [PMID: 32589625 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2020.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Fecal pollution of water is a serious concern because it is associated with the transmission of pathogens. The aim of this study was to analyze the occurrence of group A rotavirus (RVA) in surface waters from the Arias-Arenales River in Salta, a northern city in Argentina, and to define possible sources of fecal viral pollution. A total of 116 water samples were analyzed and RVA was detected in 3.4% (95% CI: 0.1-7.0%), with concentrations ranging from 1.9 × 105 to 3.8 × 106 genome copies per liter. RVA strains were characterized as G1P[8], G4P[8] and G9P[8], which are common genotypes circulating in the local population. The Arias-Arenales River presented unusual and sporadic contamination by RVA, originated from stormwater discharges and a variety of non-identified sources, and support the essential need of viral indicators for enhanced monitoring of water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Emilse Prez
- Instituto de Virología 'Dr. J. M. Vanella', Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina E-mail:
| | - Hugo Ramiro Poma
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina E-mail: ; Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Salta, Argentina
| | - Georgina Gisela Giordano
- Instituto de Virología 'Dr. J. M. Vanella', Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Matías Victoria
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, CENUR Litoral Norte, Centro Universitario de Salto, Universidad de la República, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Silvia Viviana Nates
- Instituto de Virología 'Dr. J. M. Vanella', Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Verónica Beatriz Rajal
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina E-mail: ; Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI), CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Salta, Argentina; Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Salta (UNSa), Salta, Argentina and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Patricia Angélica Barril
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina E-mail: ; Centro de Investigación y Asistencia Técnica a la Industria - Asociación Civil (CIATI A.C.), Centenario, Neuquén, Argentina
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19
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Arce LP, Müller MF, Martinez A, Baiker A, Marranzino G, Agote F, Vizoso-Pinto MG. A Novel In-House Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Genotype 3 Hepatitis E Virus Reveals High Seroprevalence in Blood Donors in Northern Argentina. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2481. [PMID: 31736916 PMCID: PMC6838658 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent virus that causes acute hepatitis in immunocompetent hosts and chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised hosts. In Latin America, the main circulating genotype HEV-3 is usually of zoonotic origin. Diagnosis and seroprevalence studies mainly rely on the detection of specific antibodies. There are scarce data on the seroprevalence of HEV infection in Latin America mainly due to the lack of awareness of HEV circulation. Furthermore, in some countries, like Argentina, HEV testing is not included in routine assays. In order to provide tools to deepen the knowledge on HEV epidemiology in South America, we designed a new in-house ELISA based on the native recombinant protein ORF2 aa112–608 and demonstrated its potential for detecting anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) in human serum samples. The following conditions were determined: an optimal antigen concentration of 0.25 μg/ml, a serum dilution of 1:80, gelatin as a blocking agent, and a secondary antibody dilution of 1:2000. A relative sensitivity of 93.33% (95% CI: 77.9–99.2%) and a relative specificity of 99.4% (95% CI: 96.7–100%) were determined using a panel of previously characterized sera and a gold standard (HEV IgG ELISA, DIA.PRO, Italy). Further, we obtained a very good agreement (κ index = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.87–1.00) with the gold standard. We screened 813 blood donor samples with this newly developed ELISA and found a seroprevalence of 9.23% (95% confidence interval, 7.33–11.43%). We show for the first time evidence of past HEV infection in Tucuman, the most populated city in northern Argentina. We expect that this study will raise the interest of health decision makers who should intercede to include indirect testing of HEV in regular diagnostic protocols. In conclusion, the in-house ELISA developed in this work shows a very good agreement with an already licensed commercial HEV IgG ELISA (DIA.PRO, ITALY), which can be used as an epidemiologic tool for HEV surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Paola Arce
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada (IMMCA), SIPROSA, CONICET, UNT, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas and Or. Genética, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Melisa Florencia Müller
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada (IMMCA), SIPROSA, CONICET, UNT, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas and Or. Genética, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Martinez
- Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas (CEMIC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Armin Baiker
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority (LGL), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Gabriela Marranzino
- Banco Central de Sangre de Tucumán "Dr. César Guerra," PRIS-Si.PRO.SA, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Felicitas Agote
- Banco Central de Sangre de Tucumán "Dr. César Guerra," PRIS-Si.PRO.SA, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Maria Guadalupe Vizoso-Pinto
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada (IMMCA), SIPROSA, CONICET, UNT, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.,Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas and Or. Genética, Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
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20
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Marziali F, Acosta J, Bolatti E, Mirazo S, Skejich P, Silva P, Brassard J, Costaguta A, Gardiol D, Cavatorta AL. Detection of HEV in naturally infected swine from central Argentina by an optimized HEV/MS2 duplex RT-qPCR. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:729-738. [PMID: 31259469 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is currently considered as a global health concern due to the recognition of its zoonotic transmission to humans, mainly from swine, and its association with the development of severe cases of hepatitis in human risk populations. The lack of updated data on HEV state of infection in swineherds of Argentina, and the necessity of robust technologies for its detection in complex biological samples, positions HEV as an emerging issue in public health. Here, we have optimized a RT-qPCR with internal control for a more precise and accurate HEV RNA detection in swine stool samples. We implemented this optimized molecular tool to analyse the current epidemiological scenario of HEV infection in swine from the core region of commercial activity of Argentina. A total of 135 stool samples were collected from 16 different farms and tested for HEV presence, resulting in 11 positive cases (8.1%). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all of them correspond to HEV genotype 3 and that different subtypes circulate in the region. Moreover, two of the detected strains presented a high nucleotide similarity with a previously identified isolate from human sewage discharges, suggesting the zoonotic transmission of HEV to humans. Collectively, this work provides a better understanding of HEV epidemiology in Argentina while contributes to the improvement of HEV detection technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Marziali
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Julian Acosta
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Elisa Bolatti
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Santiago Mirazo
- Sección Virología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Patricia Skejich
- Cátedra de Intr. A los Sistemas de Producción Agropecuarios, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla, Argentina
| | - Patricia Silva
- Cátedra de Nutrición Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Zavalla, Argentina
| | - Julie Brassard
- Saint-Hyacinthe Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alejandro Costaguta
- Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Sanatorio de Niños/Fundación Dr. J.R.Villavicencio, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Daniela Gardiol
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Ana Laura Cavatorta
- Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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21
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Sotomayor-González A, Trujillo-Ortega ME, Taboada-Ramírez BI, Sandoval-Jaime C, Sarmiento-Silva RE. Phylogenetic Analysis and Characterization of the Complete Hepatitis E Virus Genome (Zoonotic Genotype 3) in Swine Samples from Mexico. Viruses 2018; 10:v10080391. [PMID: 30049969 PMCID: PMC6115897 DOI: 10.3390/v10080391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging public health problem with an estimated 20 million infections each year. In Mexico, Orthohepevirus A, genotype 2, has been reported in humans, but genotype 3 has only been reported in swine (zoonotic). No diagnostic tests are publicly available in Mexico, and only partial sequences have been reported from swine samples. Hence, research is necessary to determine circulating strains, understand the features and dynamics of infection on pig farms, determine how to implement surveillance programs, and to assess public health risks. In this study, a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach was applied to obtain a complete genome of swine HEV. Liver, feces, and bile samples were taken at slaughterhouses and a farm in Mexico. RT-PCR was used to determine positive samples and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Of the 64 slaughterhouse samples, one bile sample was positive (B1r) (1.56%). Of 21 sample pools from farm animals, 14 were positive (66.66%), representing all stages of production. A complete sequence strain MXCDg3_B1c|_2016 was obtained from the bile of a domestic swine in the fattening stage. In addition, two partial sequences—MXCDg3_H2cons|_2016 (1473 nt) and MXCDg3_C3Acons|_2016 (4777 nt)—were obtained from sampled farm animals. Comparison with all reported genome HEV sequences showed similarity to genotype 3 subgenotype a (G3a), which has been previously reported in acute cases of human hepatitis in the US, Colombia, China, and Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Sotomayor-González
- Laboratory of Virology, Microbiology and Immunology Department, Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
| | - María E Trujillo-Ortega
- Academic Council of the Biological, Chemical and Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
- Swine Medicine and Husbandry Department, Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
| | - Blanca I Taboada-Ramírez
- Biotechnology Institute (IBT), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Carlos Sandoval-Jaime
- Biotechnology Institute (IBT), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Rosa E Sarmiento-Silva
- Laboratory of Virology, Microbiology and Immunology Department, Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
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