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Klink P, Harms D, Altmann B, Dörffel Y, Morgera U, Zander S, Bock CT, Hofmann J. Molecular characterisation of a rabbit Hepatitis E Virus strain detected in a chronically HEV-infected individual from Germany. One Health 2023; 16:100528. [PMID: 37363232 PMCID: PMC10288053 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100528] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In immunocompromised individuals persisting viremia frequently leads to a chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Zoonotic transmission of HEV from pigs and wild boar to humans is proven and sporadic infections with rabbit HEV (raHEV) have recently been reported. Here, the molecular characterisation of a raHEV strain isolated from an immunocompromised, chronically HEV-infected, heart-transplanted patient is described. After successful ribavirin (RBV) treatment of a HEV infection in 2019, the patient was again tested HEV positive in 2021 and received a second RBV therapy cycle. Full-length HEV genome amplification and next generation sequencing was performed on a plasma sample taken between first and second cycle of RBV therapy and a stool sample taken two months after starting the second cycle. The sequence of plasma (raHEV-83) and stool (raHEV-99) derived virus showed the highest nucleotide sequence identity to a Chinese raHEV and a phylogenetic relationship to a raHEV strain isolated from a French patient. Furthermore, sequence analysis revealed the presence of RBV-associated substitutions V1479I and G1634K in the HEV sequences from plasma and additionally K1398R from stool. The results underline the role of rabbits as putative sources of HEV infection and emphasize the need of a one health concept for a better understanding of HEV epidemiology and to develop tools for prevention and control of HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Klink
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Harms
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Britta Altmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Yvonne Dörffel
- Outpatient Clinic, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Morgera
- Outpatient Clinic, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steffen Zander
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - C. Thomas Bock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral Gastroenteritis and Hepatitis Pathogens and Enteroviruses, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Hofmann
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, German Centre for Infection Research, Berlin, Germany
- Labor Berlin, Charité-Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
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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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Baylis SA, O'Flaherty N, Burke L, Hogema B, Corman VM. Identification of rabbit hepatitis E virus (HEV) and novel HEV clade in Irish blood donors. J Hepatol 2022; 77:870-872. [PMID: 35487383 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa Burke
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Victor M Corman
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Berlin, Germany
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Spreading of Pasteurella multocida Infection in a Pet Rabbit Breeding and Possible Implications on Healed Bunnies. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9060301. [PMID: 35737353 PMCID: PMC9229391 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9060301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and parrots has increased in European families. Social benefits to owners such as decreasing feelings of loneliness and anxiety are provided by pets which are also used in Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT). Nevertheless, human-animal interactions are also associated with health problems including allergies, asthma, and zoonosis. Rabbits may carry potential pathogens for humans. One of the most common bacteria that colonizes the oro-pharynx and the upper respiratory tract of rabbits is Pasteurella (P.) multocida. Transmission of the infection to humans results from scratches, licks, and bites but it also can occur from the inhalation of air particles containing the microorganism. Immunocompromised people or persons with pulmonary disorders are particularly susceptible to the infection. Infected rabbits may carry P. multocida with or without clinical signs. In this paper, the sensitivity to antibiotics and the invasiveness ability of P. multocida identified in a farm of pet rabbits affected by severe pasteurellosis were investigated. The strain was P. multocida belonging to capsular type A which is the type most often detected in humans. The identified strain was susceptible to the tested antibiotics, but it appeared equipped with several virulence genes which are responsible for fimbriae production, adhesion processes to host cells, enzyme production, and are involved in iron acquisition processes. These findings are of particular interest because rabbits recovered from pasteurellosis very often become carriers of the bacteria. Therefore, we suggest considering P. multocida screening in the routine medical checks of rabbits, especially if they are meant to be companion animals for children and elder people, given that the transmission of the pathogen cannot be excluded.
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Cierniak F, Ulrich RG, Groschup MH, Eiden M. A Modular Hepatitis E Virus Replicon System for Studies on the Role of ORF1-Encoded Polyprotein Domains. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030355. [PMID: 35335679 PMCID: PMC8948863 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging cause of acute viral hepatitis in developed countries. Known reservoirs of zoonotic genotype 3 (HEV-3) are mainly pigs and wild boar, and to a lesser extent rabbits and deer. Rabbit hepatitis E virus (HEV-3ra) is prevalent in rabbits worldwide and represents a particular risk for zoonotic infection. Current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HEV pathogenesis is incomplete, particularly due to the limited availability of efficient and reliable cell culture systems. In order to identify genomic regions responsible for HEV propagation in cell culture, we developed a modular chimeric reporter replicon system based on cell culture-adapted (Kernow-C1/p6 and 47832mc) and rabbit-derived HEV strains. Replication in HepG2 cells was monitored on the basis of a Gaussia luciferase reporter gene that was inserted in place of the open reading frame (ORF) 2 of the HEV genome. Luciferase activity of rabbit HEV-derived replicons was significantly lower than that of Kernow-C1/p6 and 47832mc replicons. Serial exchanges of defined ORF1 segments within the Kernow-C1/p6 replicon backbone indicated that HEV replication in HepG2 cells is not determined by a single domain but rather by an interplay of longer segments of the ORF1-derived nonstructural polyprotein. This implies that a specific combination of viral factors is required for efficient HEV propagation in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Cierniak
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INNT), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
| | - Rainer G. Ulrich
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INNT), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
- Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INNT), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
- Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INNT), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (F.C.); (R.G.U.); (M.H.G.)
- Correspondence:
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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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