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Xiang Z, He XL, Zhu CW, Yang JJ, Huang L, Jiang C, Wu J. Animal models of hepatitis E infection: Advances and challenges. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024; 23:171-180. [PMID: 37852916 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Although most of HEV infections are asymptomatic, some patients will develop the symptoms, especially pregnant women, the elderly, and patients with preexisting liver diseases, who often experience anorexia, nausea, vomiting, malaise, abdominal pain, and jaundice. HEV infection may become chronic in immunosuppressed individuals. In addition, HEV infection can also cause several extrahepatic manifestations. HEV exists in a wide range of hosts in nature and can be transmitted across species. Hence, animals susceptible to HEV can be used as models. The establishment of animal models is of great significance for studying HEV transmission, clinical symptoms, extrahepatic manifestations, and therapeutic strategies, which will help us understand the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of hepatitis E. This review summarized the animal models of HEV, including pigs, monkeys, rabbits, mice, rats, and other animals. For each animal species, we provided a concise summary of the HEV genotypes that they can be infected with, the cross-species transmission pathways, as well as their role in studying extrahepatic manifestations, prevention, and treatment of HEV infection. The advantages and disadvantages of these animal models were also emphasized. This review offers new perspectives to enhance the current understanding of the research landscape surrounding HEV animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Xiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Xiang-Lin He
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310030, China
| | - Chuan-Wu Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth People's Hospital of Suzhou, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Jia-Jia Yang
- Department of Infection Management, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China
| | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215008, China.
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Zhang H, Li X, Wang C, Shi T, Geng Y, Zhao C. Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Rabbits and Rabbit Meat from Slaughterhouses in Hebei Province of China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:588-594. [PMID: 37699252 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen. HEV has been found to be widely prevalent in rabbits. Its isolates are classified into HEV-3, rabbit subgenotype (HEV-3ra). The routes of human infection with HEV-3ra remain unclear; however, foodborne transmission is possible when asymptomatically infected animals enter the food chain. The prevalence of HEV infection in slaughtered rabbits and the presence of HEV in rabbit meat were evaluated in this study. Materials and Methods: In three slaughterhouses in Hebei province, China, samples of rabbit blood were collected during the slaughter process, and muscle, liver, and cavity juice were collected from the rabbit carcasses. Anti-HEV antibody in serum samples was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HEV RNA was tested in all samples by reverse transcription nested PCR (RT-nested PCR). The final amplicons of RT-nested PCR were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Results: Of the 459 serum samples, 50 [10.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.1-13.7] were positive for anti-HEV antibody, and 17 (3.7%, 95% CI: 2.0-5.4) were positive for HEV RNA. HEV RNA was detected in 7 of 60 liver samples (11.7%, 95% CI: 3.3-20) and 2 cavity juice samples from semi-eviscerated carcasses, but was not detected in any muscle sample from either the eviscerated or semi-eviscerated carcasses. All the detected HEV strains belonged to HEV-3ra and related most closely with the rabbit HEV sequence previously reported in China. Conclusion: A portion of rabbits were in the viremia period of HEV infection at the slaughter age, resulting in the possibility of HEV carriage by rabbit carcass, particularly semi-eviscerated carcass containing liver. These findings suggest a potential risk of HEV transmission from raw rabbit products entering the food chain, whereas the presence of HEV appeared to be lower in the eviscerated carcass than in the semi-eviscerated carcass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Xueli Li
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Division of Epidemiology, Baoding Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Baoding, China
| | - Tengfei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Yansheng Geng
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Chenyan Zhao
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
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Turlewicz-Podbielska H, Augustyniak A, Wojciechowski J, Pomorska-Mól M. Hepatitis E Virus in Livestock-Update on Its Epidemiology and Risk of Infection to Humans. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3239. [PMID: 37893962 PMCID: PMC10603682 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203239] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health problem worldwide and an important food pathogen known for its zoonotic potential. Increasing numbers of infection cases with human HEV are caused by the zoonotic transmission of genotypes 3 and 4, mainly by consuming contaminated, undercooked or raw porcine meat. Pigs are the main reservoir of HEV. However, it should be noted that other animal species, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and rabbits, may also be a source of infection for humans. Due to the detection of HEV RNA in the milk and tissues of cattle, the consumption of infected uncooked milk and meat or offal from these species also poses a potential risk of zoonotic HEV infections. Poultry infected by avian HEV may also develop symptomatic disease, although avian HEV is not considered a zoonotic pathogen. HEV infection has a worldwide distribution with different prevalence rates depending on the affected animal species, sampling region, or breeding system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Turlewicz-Podbielska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
| | - Agata Augustyniak
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
| | | | - Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland; (H.T.-P.); (A.A.)
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Animal Models for Studying Congenital Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030618. [PMID: 36985191 PMCID: PMC10057890 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most intriguing issues in the hepatitis E virus (HEV) field is the significant increase in mortality rates of the mother and fetus when infection occurs in the second and third trimesters of gestation. A virus that is normally self-limiting and has a mortality rate of less than one percent in otherwise healthy individuals steeply rises by up to 30% in these pregnant populations. Answering this pivotal question has not been a simple task. HEV, in general, has been a difficult pathogen to understand in the laboratory setting. A historical lack of ability to efficiently propagate the virus in tissue culture models has led to many molecular aspects of the viral lifecycle being understudied. Although great strides have been made in recent years to adapt viruses to cell culture, this field remains behind other viruses that are much easier to replicate efficiently in vitro. Some of the greatest discoveries regarding HEV have come from using animal models for which naturally occurring strains of HEV have been identified, including pigs and chickens, but key limitations have made animal models imperfect for studying all aspects of human HEV infections. In addition to the difficulties working with HEV, pregnancy is a very complicated biological process with an elaborate interplay between many different host systems, including hormones, cardiovascular, kidneys, respiratory, gastrointestinal, epithelial, liver, metabolic, immune, and others. Significant differences between the timing and interplay of these systems are notable between species, and making direct comparisons between animals and humans can be difficult at times. No simple answer exists as to how HEV enhances mortality in pregnant populations. One of the best approaches to studying HEV in pregnancy is likely a combinatorial approach that uses the best combination of emerging in vitro and in vivo systems while accounting for the deficiencies that are present in each model. This review describes many of the current HEV animal model systems and the strengths and weaknesses of each as they apply to HEV pregnancy-associated mortality. We consider factors that are critical to analyzing HEV infection within the host and how, despite no perfect animal model for human pregnancy mortality existing, recent developments in HEV models, both in vitro and in vivo, are advancing our overall understanding of HEV in the pregnant host.
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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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Cross-Species Transmission of Rabbit Hepatitis E Virus to Pigs and Evaluation of the Protection of a Virus-like Particle Vaccine against Rabbit Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Pigs. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071053. [PMID: 35891218 PMCID: PMC9320745 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071053] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the cross-species transmission of rabbit hepatitis E virus (rb HEV) to pigs and evaluated the cross-protection of a swine (sw) HEV-3 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine against rb HEV infection in pigs. Twelve 4-week-old conventional pigs were divided into negative control (n = 3), positive control (rb HEV-infected, n = 4), and vaccinated (vaccinated and rb HEV-challenged, n = 5) groups. The vaccine was administered at weeks 0 and 2, and viral challenge was conducted at week 4. Serum HEV RNA, anti-HEV antibody, cytokine, and liver enzyme levels were determined. Histopathological lesions were examined in abdominal organs. Viral RNA was detected and increased anti-HEV antibody and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were observed in positive control pigs; liver fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria of the small intestine and shortened small intestine villi were also observed. In vaccinated pigs, anti-HEV antibody and Th1 cytokine level elevations were observed after the second vaccination; viral RNA was not detected, and ALT level elevations were not observed. The results verified the cross-species transmission of rb HEV to pigs and cross-protection of the sw HEV-3 VLP vaccine against rb HEV infection in pigs. This vaccine may be used for cross-protection against HEV infection in other species.
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Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among Laboratory Rabbits in China. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10060780. [PMID: 34205738 PMCID: PMC8233994 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060780] [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: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is zoonotic and the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Rabbit HEV can infect humans and is prevalent globally. It is reported that laboratory rabbits are also naturally infected with HEV. Therefore, it is important to investigate in a large scale the prevalence of HEV in laboratory rabbits. Serum samples were collected from 649 laboratory rabbits of 13 different commercial vendors in Beijing, China, from 2017 to 2019, and anti-HEV and HEV antigen (Ag) were tested. Fecal samples were collected from 50 laboratory rabbits from one of the vendors for HEV RNA detection. Six laboratory rabbits with natural HEV infection were euthanized and their liver, kidney, bile and urine samples were collected for HEV RNA quantification. Liver tissues were subjected to histopathology analysis. The overall positive rates of anti-HEV antibodies and HEV-Ag are 2.6% (15/588) and 7.9% (51/649), respectively. HEV RNA was detected in 12.0% (6/50) of the rabbits. High viral load of HEV RNA was detected in liver and bile samples. Liver inflammation was observed. HEV is circulating in laboratory rabbit population in China. Strict screening is crucial to ensure experimental accuracy and prevent zoonotic transmission to research personnel.
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Treagus S, Wright C, Baker-Austin C, Longdon B, Lowther J. The Foodborne Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus to Humans. FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIROLOGY 2021; 13:127-145. [PMID: 33738770 PMCID: PMC8116281 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09461-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Globally, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes over 20 million cases worldwide. HEV is an emerging and endemic pathogen within economically developed countries, chiefly resulting from infections with genotype 3 (G3) HEV. G3 HEV is known to be a zoonotic pathogen, with a broad host range. The primary source of HEV within more economically developed countries is considered to be pigs, and consumption of pork products is a significant risk factor and known transmission route for the virus to humans. However, other foods have also been implicated in the transmission of HEV to humans. This review consolidates the information available regarding transmission of HEV and looks to identify gaps where further research is required to better understand how HEV is transmitted to humans through food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Treagus
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK.
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK.
| | | | - Craig Baker-Austin
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Ben Longdon
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - James Lowther
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK
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Abstract
Recently, multiple infectious organisms have been identified as the cause of emerging diseases in lagomorphs. The most important of these emerging diseases is rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) type 2, a new variant with differences in pathogenicity to classical RHDV. Hepatitis E is considered an emerging zoonotic infectious disease, with widespread prevalence in many different rabbit populations. Mycobacteriosis has been recently reported in other captive domestic rabbit populations. This article provides a recent review of the published literature on emerging infectious diseases in rabbits, including farmed, laboratory, and pet rabbits, some of which have zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Gleeson
- Department of Avian and Exotic Pets, ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital, 9599 Jefferson Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232, USA
| | - Olivia A Petritz
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
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Han SH, Park BJ, Ahn HS, Kim YH, Go HJ, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Choi YK, Choi IS. Cross-Species Transmission of Swine Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 to Rabbits. Viruses 2020; 12:v12010053. [PMID: 31906555 PMCID: PMC7019366 DOI: 10.3390/v12010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a quasi-enveloped, positive-sense single stranded RNA virus. HEV continually expands the host ranges across animal species. In this study, the possibility of cross-species infection with swine HEV-3 was investigated using rabbits. A total of fourteen 8-week old, specific pathogen-free rabbits were divided into three experimental groups. Four rabbits were used as negative controls, four rabbits were infected with rabbit HEV as positive controls, and six rabbits were inoculated with swine HEV-3. HEV RNA were detected from serum and fecal samples after viral challenge. The levels of anti-HEV antibodies, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-α), and liver enzymes (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases) were determined in serum samples. Histopathological lesions were examined in liver tissues. Viral RNA and anti-HEV antibodies were identified in rabbits inoculated with swine HEV-3 demonstrating positive infectivity of the virus. However, pro-inflammatory cytokine and liver enzyme levels in serum were not significantly elevated, and only mild inflammatory lesions were detected in the liver tissues of rabbits infected with swine HEV-3. These results suggest that swine HEV-3 can engage in cross-species transmission to rabbits, but causes only mild inflammation of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Hoon Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Byung-Joo Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Hee-Seop Ahn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Yong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Hyeon-Jeong Go
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Joong-Bok Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Seung-Yong Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Chang-Seon Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
| | - Yang-Kyu Choi
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea;
| | - In-Soo Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.-H.H.); (B.-J.P.); (H.-S.A.); (Y.-H.K.); (H.-J.G.); (J.-B.L.); (S.-Y.P.); (C.-S.S.); (S.-W.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2049-6055
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Sayed IM, Elkhawaga AA, El-Mokhtar MA. In vivo models for studying Hepatitis E virus infection; Updates and applications. Virus Res 2019; 274:197765. [PMID: 31563457 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. HEV belongs to the Hepeviridae family and at least five genotypes (gt) infect humans. Several animal species are reservoirs for different HEV strains, and they are the source of infection for humans. Some HEV strains are species specific, but other strains could cross species and infect many hosts. The study of HEV infection and pathogenesis was hampered due to the lack of an in vitro and in vivo robust model system. The cell culture system has been established for certain HEV strains, especially gt3 and 4, but gt1 strains replicate poorly in vitro. To date, animal models are the best tool for studying HEV infection. Non-human primates (NHPs) and pigs are the main animal models used for studying HEV infection, but ethical and financial concerns restrict the use of NHPs in research. Therefore, new small animal models have been developed which help more progress in HEV research. In this review, we give updates on the animal models used for studying HEV infection, focusing on the applicability of each model in studying different HEV infections, cross-species infection, virus-host interaction, evaluation of anti-HEV therapies and testing potential HEV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Amal A Elkhawaga
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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Li TC, Wakita T. Small Animal Models of Hepatitis E Virus Infection. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2019; 9:cshperspect.a032581. [PMID: 29735581 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a032581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Novel hepeviruses have been recovered from many different animal species in recent years, increasing the diversity known to exist among the Hepeviridae, which now include two genera, Piscihepevirus and Orthohepevirus Multiple viral genotypes in the Orthohepevirus A species are able to replicate and cause acute hepatitis E in humans, and thus represent an important public health problem in industrialized as well as developing countries. Although hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections typically result in acute and self-limited hepatitis, immunocompromised and transplant patients are vulnerable to prolonged infections and to chronic hepatitis. Cell culture systems have been established for several HEV strains and offer new opportunities for the study of HEV biology. Similarly, a variety of new small animal models have been developed, using either nonhuman hepeviruses in their cognate hosts as surrogates for human HEV, or human HEV infection of immunodeficient mice with chimeric livers engrafted with human hepatocytes. These new models provide several advantages over previous nonhuman primate models of hepatitis E infection and will facilitate studies of pathogenicity, cross-species infection, mechanisms of virus replication, and vaccine and antiviral agent development. This article reviews the current understanding of small animal models for HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
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13
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Animal Models for Hepatitis E virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11060564. [PMID: 31216711 PMCID: PMC6630473 DOI: 10.3390/v11060564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underdiagnosed pathogen with approximately 20 million infections each year and currently the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis. HEV was long considered to be confined to developing countries but there is increasing evidence that it is also a medical problem in the Western world. HEV that infects humans belongs to the Orthohepevirus A species of the Hepeviridae family. Novel HEV-like viruses have been observed in a variety of animals and some have been shown to be able to cross the species barrier, causing infection in humans. Several cell culture models for HEV have been established in the past years, but their efficiency is usually relatively low. With the circulation of this virus and related viruses in a variety of species, several different animal models have been developed. In this review, we give an overview of these animal models, indicate their main characteristics, and highlight how they may contribute to our understanding of the basic aspects of the viral life cycle and cross-species infection, the study of pathogenesis, and the evaluation of novel preventative and therapeutic strategies.
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14
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Kwit E, Rzeżutka A. Molecular methods in detection and epidemiologic studies of rabbit and hare viruses: a review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019; 31:497-508. [PMID: 31131728 DOI: 10.1177/1040638719852374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Various PCR-based assays for rabbit viruses have gradually replaced traditional virologic assays, such as virus isolation, because they offer high-throughput analysis, better test sensitivity and specificity, and allow vaccine and wild-type virus strains to be fully typed and differentiated. In addition, PCR is irreplaceable in the detection of uncultivable or fastidious rabbit pathogens or those occurring in low quantity in a tested sample. We provide herein an overview of the current state of the art in the molecular detection of lagomorph viral pathogens along with details of their targeted gene or nucleic acid sequence and recommendations for their application. Apart from the nucleic acids-based methods used for identification and comprehensive typing of rabbit viruses, novel methods such as microarray, next-generation sequencing, and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) could also be employed given that they offer greater throughput in sample screening for viral pathogens. Molecular methods should be provided with an appropriate set of controls, including an internal amplification control, to confirm the validity of the results obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Kwit
- Department of Food and Environmental Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
| | - Artur Rzeżutka
- Department of Food and Environmental Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Puławy, Poland
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15
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Hepatitis E: Current Status in India and Other Asian Countries. JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.22207/jpam.13.1.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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16
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Zhang H, Zhou Y, Liu J. Molecular features of hepatitis E virus from farmed rabbits in Shandong province, China. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2018.10225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
<p>This study was undertaken to investigate the genetic variability of hepatitis E virus (HEV) from farmed rabbits in Shandong province, China. A total of 50 fresh faecal samples from 5 rabbit farms were collected and subjected to reverse transcription and nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) for a fragment sequence of HEV capsid gene. The results demonstrated that HEV RNA was observed in 6 faecal samples (6/50, 12.0%). In addition, the result of phylogenetic analysis showed that the 6 HEV isolates were classified into HEV-3 genotype with other rabbit HEV isolates from other countries, and shared 85.2-87.2%, 81.5-83.1%, and 77.0-78.6% nucleotide similarities with rabbit HEV isolates from Korea, the United States and France, respectively. To sum up, the HEV isolated in this study from farmed rabbits belongs to the HEV-3 genotype, and the zoonotic ability and pathogenesis of the rabbit HEV merit further study due to the fact that HEV-3 genotype has the potential to trigger zoonotic infections.</p>
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17
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Sun Y, Lu Q, Liu B, Sheng Y, Du T, Hiscox JA, Zhou EM, Zhao Q. Cross-species infection of mice by rabbit hepatitis E virus. Vet Microbiol 2018; 225:48-52. [PMID: 30322532 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rabbits are recognized as a zoonotic reservoir of hepatitis E virus (HEV) for transmission to humans and other zoonotic reservoirs such as swine. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of rabbit HEV to cross the species barrier to infect mice and also the usefulness of this animal to study HEV transmission and pathogenesis. In this study, uninfected BALB/c mice were experimentally inoculated with rabbit HEV either via gavage or through contact-exposure with infected mice. Rabbit HEV propagation in mice was evaluated by studying fecal virus shedding, viremia, seroconversion and microscopic liver lesions. Rabbit HEV could be detected in all mice infected by gavage, but only in some contact-exposed mice, with some animals exhibiting fecal virus shedding, seroconversion or viremia (one mouse only). Compared with inoculated mice, anti-rabbit HEV antibody titers and viral copy numbers in fecal and serum samples were lower in contact-exposed mice. Infected mice mainly exhibited phlebitis, hepatocyte swelling and necrosis. Microscopic liver lesion scores for inoculated and contact-exposed infected mice were higher than scores for negative controls. This study therefore demonstrates that rabbit HEV could infect BALB/c mice both though inoculation via gavage and through contact-exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yani Sun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | - Qizhong Lu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | - Baoyuan Liu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | - Yamin Sheng
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | - Taofeng Du
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, China
| | - Julian A Hiscox
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, China.
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, China; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Veterinary Pharmacology and Diagnostic Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, China.
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18
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Luk KC, Coller KE, Dawson GJ, Cloherty GA. Identification of a putative novel genotype 3/rabbit hepatitis E virus (HEV) recombinant. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203618. [PMID: 30204796 PMCID: PMC6133284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a viral pathogen transmitted by the fecal-oral route and is a major cause of waterborne acute hepatitis in many developing countries. In addition to infecting humans, HEV has been identified in swine, wild boars, rabbits and other mammals; with swine and wild boars being main reservoirs for zoonotic transmission of HEV. There are four major HEV genotypes known to infect humans; genotypes 1 (HEV-1) and 2 (HEV-2) are restricted to humans, and genotypes 3 (HEV-3) and 4 (HEV-4) are zoonotic. Herein, three human HEV strains originating in France were sequenced and near full-length genomes were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis showed that two strains were genotype 3 and closely grouped (a 100% bootstrap value) with subtype 3i reference strains. In percent nucleotide identities, these two strains were 94% identical to each other, 90–93% identical to subtype 3i strains, 82–86% identical to other HEV-3, and 77–79% identical to rabbit HEV strains excluding the two divergent strains KJ013414 and KJ013415 (74%); these two strains were less than 77% identical to strains of HEV genotypes 1, 2 and 4. The third strain was found distinct from any known HEV strains in the database, and located between the clusters of HEV-3 and rabbit HEV strains. This unique strain was 74–75% identical to HEV-1, 73% to HEV-2, 81–82% to HEV-3, 77–79% to rabbit HEV again excluding the two divergent strains KJ013414 and KJ013415 (74%), and 74–75% to HEV-4, suggesting a novel unclassified strain associated with HEV-3 and rabbit HEV. SimPlot and BootScan analyses revealed a putative recombination of HEV-3 and rabbit HEV sequences at four breakpoints. Phylogenetic trees of the five fragments of the genome confirmed the presence of two HEV-3 derived and three unclassified sequences. Analyses of the amino acid sequences of the three open reading frames (ORF1-3) encoded proteins of these three novel strains showed that some amino acid residues specific to rabbit HEV strains were found solely in this unclassified strain but not in the two newly identified genotype 3i strains. The results obtained by SimPlots, BootScans, phylogenetic analyses, and amino acid sequence comparisons in this study all together appear to suggest that this novel unclassified strain is likely carrying a mosaic genome derived from HEV-3 and rabbit HEV sequences, and is thus designated as a putative genotype 3/rabbit HEV recombinant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka-Cheung Luk
- Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kelly E. Coller
- Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, United States of America
| | - George J. Dawson
- Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Gavin A. Cloherty
- Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, United States of America
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19
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Han SH, Park BJ, Ahn HS, Kim YH, Go HJ, Kim DH, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Choi IS. Evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in specific pathogen-free rabbits in Korea. Virus Genes 2018; 54:587-590. [PMID: 29691774 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-018-1562-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Rabbits are considered a new natural reservoir of hepatitis E virus (HEV). In this study, HEV infection was verified by the detection of partial genomic sequence of HEV and anti-HEV antibodies in specific pathogen-free (SPF) rabbits. HEV RNA was found in 6.4% serum and 13.5% fecal samples from 126 SPF rabbits. Anti-HEV antibodies were also detected in 4.0% of the SPF rabbits. HEV genetic sequences isolated from the rabbits were clustered into a rabbit HEV clade with other rabbit HEV isolates; they were found to be most closely related with a rabbit HEV sequence previously reported in Korea. Therefore, HEV infection should be diagnosed before conducting experiments involving SPF rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Hoon Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Hee-Seop Ahn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Yong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Hyeon-Jeong Go
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Dong-Hwi Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Joong-Bok Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Seung-Yong Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Chang-Seon Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - In-Soo Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea.
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20
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A World Health Organization Human Hepatitis E Virus Reference Strain Related to Similar Strains Isolated from Rabbits. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2018; 6:6/16/e00292-18. [PMID: 29674549 PMCID: PMC5908947 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.00292-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We report here the genome sequence of a hepatitis E virus (HEV) strain from a chronically infected immunodeficient patient. Full-length sequence analysis revealed a distinct HEV strain, of a tentative new subgenotype, clustering with viruses from rabbits. It is a World Health Organization reference strain for validation of nucleic acid testing.
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21
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Ryll R, Eiden M, Heuser E, Weinhardt M, Ziege M, Höper D, Groschup MH, Heckel G, Johne R, Ulrich RG. Hepatitis E virus in feral rabbits along a rural-urban transect in Central Germany. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 61:155-159. [PMID: 29597055 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit associated genotype 3 hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains were detected in feral, pet and farm rabbits in different parts of the world since 2009 and recently also in human patients. Here, we report a serological and molecular survey on 72 feral rabbits, collected along a rural-urban transect in and next to Frankfurt am Main, Central Germany. ELISA investigations revealed in 25 of 72 (34.7%) animals HEV-specific antibodies. HEV derived RNA was detected in 18 of 72 (25%) animals by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. The complete genomes from two rabbitHEV-strains, one from a rural site and the other from an inner-city area, were generated by a combination of high-throughput sequencing, a primer walking approach and 5'- and 3'- rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Phylogenetic analysis of open reading frame (ORF)1-derived partial and complete ORF1/ORF2 concatenated coding sequences indicated their similarity to rabbit-associated HEV strains. The partial sequences revealed one cluster of closely-related rabbitHEV sequences from the urban trapping sites that is well separated from several clusters representing rabbitHEV sequences from rural trapping sites. The complete genome sequences of the two novel strains indicated similarities of 75.6-86.4% to the other 17 rabbitHEV sequences; the amino acid sequence identity of the concatenated ORF1/ORF2-encoded proteins reached 89.0-93.1%. The detection of rabbitHEV in an inner-city area with a high human population density suggests a high risk of potential human infection with the zoonotic rabbitHEV, either by direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Therefore, future investigations on the occurrence and frequency of human infections with rabbitHEV are warranted in populations with different contact to rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Ryll
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Elisa Heuser
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Markus Weinhardt
- Department of Zoology, State Museum of Natural History, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Madlen Ziege
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; University of Potsdam, Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Potsdam (Golm), Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Gerald Heckel
- University of Bern, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Bern, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Quartier Sorge - Batiment Genopode, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Reimar Johne
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Germany.
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22
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Wang L, Liu L, Wang L. An overview: Rabbit hepatitis E virus (HEV) and rabbit providing an animal model for HEV study. Rev Med Virol 2017; 28. [PMID: 29148605 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.1961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus and the causative agent of hepatitis E. The virus belongs to genus Orthohepevirus in the family Hepeviridae, which contains 4 major genotypes closely relating to humans. Genotypes 1 and 2 only infect humans whereas genotypes 3 and 4 HEV are harbored in a wide range of animal species worldwide and are zoonotic to humans. Recently, a novel animal strain of HEV has been isolated in farmed rabbits in China, and subsequently more strains were discovered in the rabbit populations in at least 7 other countries. Due to high sequence similarity to genotype 3 HEV, rabbit HEV (rHEV) has been assigned to genotype 3. Experimental study showed that rHEV could infect non-human primate and human, which pose a direct threat to human. Further pathogenesis studies showed laboratory rabbits infected with rHEV and genotype 4 HEV could present similar signs of acute and chronic hepatitis E along with extra-hepatic replication as observed in humans. High mortality and vertical transmission were reproduced in rHEV infected pregnant rabbits. Furthermore, rabbit model was also found suitable for evaluating HEV vaccine efficacy in order to manage zoonotic transmission. These data showed laboratory rabbits could serve as an alternative animal model for HEV study under the current circumstances that HEV propagation is limited in vitro. In general, this review aims at presenting comprehensive up-to-date information about rHEV strains and rabbit model for HEV studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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23
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Ahn HS, Han SH, Kim YH, Park BJ, Kim DH, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Choi C, Myoung J, Choi IS. Adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant rabbits experimentally infected with rabbit hepatitis E virus. Virology 2017; 512:187-193. [PMID: 28982029 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes severe hepatitis in pregnant women, with associated poor fetal outcomes. To study HEV viral pathogenesis, pregnant rabbits were infected with low- and high-dose rabbit HEV at 2 weeks gestation. HEV was identified in the serum, feces, and liver tissue of infected rabbits, and dose-dependent fetal mortality rates ranging from 67% to 80% were observed. The aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase ratio was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in high-dose infected rabbits than low-dose infected and negative control rabbits 14 days post infection (dpi). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was significantly higher in low-dose (P < 0.01) and high-dose infected rabbits (P < 0.001) than in negative controls 7 dpi. High-dose HEV-infected rabbits produced significantly more interferon-γ (IFN-γ; P < 0.05) than negative control rabbits at 7 and 14 dpi. High levels of AST, TNF-α, and IFN-γ may substantially influence adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant rabbits infected with high-dose HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Seop Ahn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hoon Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hwi Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Joong-Bok Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Yong Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Seon Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Changsun Choi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Food Science and Technology, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinjong Myoung
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Soo Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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