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Takahashi M, Kunita S, Nishizawa T, Ohnishi H, Primadharsini PP, Nagashima S, Murata K, Okamoto H. Infection Dynamics and Genomic Mutations of Hepatitis E Virus in Naturally Infected Pigs on a Farrow-to-Finish Farm in Japan: A Survey from 2012 to 2021. Viruses 2023; 15:1516. [PMID: 37515202 PMCID: PMC10385168 DOI: 10.3390/v15071516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute or chronic hepatitis in humans. Pigs are the primary reservoir for zoonotic HEV genotypes 3 and 4 worldwide. This study investigated the infection dynamics and genomic mutations of HEV in domestic pigs on a farrow-to-finish pig farm in Japan between 2012 and 2021. A high prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was noted among pigs on this farm in 2012, when the survey started, and persisted for at least nine years. During 2012-2021, HEV RNA was detected in both serum and fecal samples, indicating active viral replication. Environmental samples, including slurry samples in manure pits, feces on the floor, floor and wall swabs in pens, and dust samples, also tested positive for HEV RNA, suggesting potential sources of infection within the farm environment. Indeed, pigs raised in HEV-contaminated houses had a higher rate of HEV infection than those in an HEV-free house. All 104 HEV strains belonged to subgenotype 3b, showing a gradual decrease in nucleotide identities over time. The 2012 (swEJM1201802S) and 2021 (swEJM2100729F) HEV strains shared 97.9% sequence identity over the entire genome. Importantly, the swEJM2100729F strain efficiently propagated in human hepatoma cells, demonstrating its infectivity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the prevalence, transmission dynamics, and genetic characteristics of HEV in domestic pigs, emphasizing the potential risks associated with HEV infections and are crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the risk of HEV infection in both animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kunita
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nishizawa
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohnishi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Putu Prathiwi Primadharsini
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Kazumoto Murata
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
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Beato MS, D’Errico F, Iscaro C, Petrini S, Giammarioli M, Feliziani F. Disinfectants against African Swine Fever: An Updated Review. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071384. [PMID: 35891365 PMCID: PMC9315964 DOI: 10.3390/v14071384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
African Swine Fever (ASF), a hemorrhagic disease with a high mortality rate in suids, is transmitted via direct and indirect contact with infectious animals and contaminated fomites, respectively. ASF reached Europe in 2014, affecting 14 of the 27 EU countries including, recently, the Italian peninsula. The fast and unprecedented spread of ASF in the EU has highlighted gaps in knowledge regarding transmission mechanisms. Fomites, such as contaminated clothing and footwear, farming tools, equipment and vehicles have been widely reported in the spread of ASF. The absence of available vaccines renders biosecurity measures, cleaning and disinfection procedures an essential control tool, to a greater degree than the others, for the prevention of primary and secondary introductions of ASF in pig farms. In this review, available data on the virucidal activity of chemical compounds as disinfectants against the ASF virus (ASFV) are summarized together with laboratory methods adopted to assess the virucidal activity.
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