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Hinrichs JB, Kreitlow A, Plötz M, Schotte U, Becher P, Gremmel N, Stephan R, Kemper N, Abdulmawjood A. Development of a Sensitive and Specific Quantitative RT-qPCR Method for the Detection of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Porcine Liver and Foodstuff. Foods 2024; 13:467. [PMID: 38338602 PMCID: PMC10855453 DOI: 10.3390/foods13030467] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
As an international and zoonotic cause of hepatitis, hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a significant risk to public health. However, the frequency of occurrence and the degree of contamination of food of animal origin require further research. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a highly sensitive quantitative RT-qPCR assay for the detection and quantification of HEV contamination in porcine liver and food. The focus was on genotype 3, which is most common as a food contaminant in developed countries and Europe. The selected assay has its target sequence in the open reading frame 1 (ORF1) of the HEV genome and showed good results in inclusivity testing, especially for HEV genotype 3. The developed assay seems to show high efficiency and a low intercept when compared to other assays, while having a comparable limit of detection (LOD). In addition, a standard curve was generated using artificially spiked liver to provide more accurate quantitative results for contamination assessment and tracking in this matrix. Application of the assay to test 67 pig livers from different origins resulted in a positivity rate of 7.5%, which is consistent with the results of numerous other prevalence studies. Quantitative detection of the viral genome in the food chain, particularly in pig livers, is essential for understanding the presence and evolution of HEV contamination and thus ensures consumer safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Bernd Hinrichs
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Antonia Kreitlow
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Madeleine Plötz
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (M.P.)
| | - Ulrich Schotte
- Department C Animal Health and Zoonoses, Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Kiel, 24119 Kronshagen, Germany;
| | - Paul Becher
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (P.B.); (N.G.)
| | - Nele Gremmel
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (P.B.); (N.G.)
| | - Roger Stephan
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviors, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Amir Abdulmawjood
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30173 Hannover, Germany; (J.B.H.); (A.K.); (M.P.)
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Kim TY, Zhu X, Kim SM, Lim JA, Woo MA, Lim MC, Luo K. A review of nucleic acid-based detection methods for foodborne viruses: Sample pretreatment and detection techniques. Food Res Int 2023; 174:113502. [PMID: 37986417 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Viruses are major pathogens that cause food poisoning when ingested via contaminated food and water. Therefore, the development of foodborne virus detection technologies that can be applied throughout the food distribution chain is essential for food safety. A common nucleic acid-based detection method is polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which has become the gold standard for monitoring food contamination by viruses due to its high sensitivity, and availability of commercial kits. However, PCR-based methods are labor intensive and time consuming, and are vulnerable to inhibitors that may be present in food samples. In addition, the methods are restricted with regard to site of analysis due to the requirement of expensive and large equipment for sophisticated temperature regulation and signal analysis procedures. To overcome these limitations, optical and electrical readout biosensors based on nucleic acid isothermal amplification technology and nanomaterials have emerged as alternatives for nucleic acid-based detection of foodborne viruses. Biosensors are promising portable detection tools owing to their easy integration into compact platforms and ability to be operated on-site. However, the complexity of food components necessitates the inclusion of tedious preprocessing steps, and the lack of stability studies on residual food components further restricts the practical application of biosensors as a universal detection method. Here, we summarize the latest advances in nucleic acid-based strategies for the detection of foodborne viruses, including PCR-based and isothermal amplification-based methods, gene amplification-free methods, as well as food pretreatment methods. The principles, strengths/disadvantages, and performance of each method, problems to be solved, and future prospects for the development of a universal detection method are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Yong Kim
- Research Group of Food Safety and Distribution, Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI), Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiaoning Zhu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266003, China
| | - Se-Min Kim
- Research Group of Food Safety and Distribution, Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI), Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Science and Technology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-A Lim
- Research Group of Food Safety and Distribution, Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI), Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ah Woo
- Research Group of Food Safety and Distribution, Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI), Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Cheol Lim
- Research Group of Food Safety and Distribution, Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI), Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon-si 34113, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ke Luo
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266003, China.
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Augustyniak A, Pomorska-Mól M. An Update in Knowledge of Pigs as the Source of Zoonotic Pathogens. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3281. [PMID: 37894005 PMCID: PMC10603695 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203281] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The available data indicate that the human world population will constantly grow in the subsequent decades. This constant increase in the number of people on the Earth will lead to growth in food demand, especially in food of high nutritional value. Therefore, it is expected that the world livestock population will also increase. Such a phenomenon enhances the risk of transmitting pathogens to humans. As pig production is one of the most significant branches of the world's livestock production, zoonoses of porcine origins seem to be of particular importance. Therefore, in this review, we aim to introduce the latest data concerning, among other things, epidemiology and available preventive measures to control the most significant porcine zoonoses of viral, bacterial, and parasitic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
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Nemes K, Persson S, Simonsson M. Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus as Food- and Waterborne Pathogens-Transmission Routes and Methods for Detection in Food. Viruses 2023; 15:1725. [PMID: 37632066 PMCID: PMC10457876 DOI: 10.3390/v15081725] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Foodborne viruses are an important threat to food safety and public health. Globally, there are approximately 5 million cases of acute viral hepatitis due to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) every year. HAV is responsible for numerous food-related viral outbreaks worldwide, while HEV is an emerging pathogen with a global health burden. The reported HEV cases in Europe have increased tenfold in the last 20 years due to its zoonotic transmission through the consumption of infected meat or meat products. HEV is considered the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide currently. This review focuses on the latest findings on the foodborne transmission routes of HAV and HEV and the methods for their detection in different food matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Nemes
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Foodborne Viruses, Swedish Food Agency, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 56 A, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.P.); (M.S.)
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Geng Y, Shi T, Wang Y. Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:73-92. [PMID: 37223860 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) occurs predominantly by the fecal-oral route. Large epidemics of hepatitis E in the developing countries of Asia and Africa are waterborne and spread through contaminated drinking water. The reservoir of HEV in developed countries is believed to be in animals with zoonotic transmission to humans, possibly through direct contact or the consumption of undercooked contaminated meat. And HEV transmission through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and vertical transmission has been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansheng Geng
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Tengfei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Youchun Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.
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Tsachev I, Baymakova M, Bangieva D, Khezzani B, Kundurzhiev T, Valeva B, Pepovich R. Serological Searching for Hepatitis E Virus Infection Among Pig Liver Transudate from Bulgaria: An Alternative Method for Seroepidemiological Survey. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:596-599. [PMID: 36322875 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of this research was to perform a seroepidemiological survey of hepatitis E virus (HEV) by an alternative method-serological establishment of the virus from pig liver transudate. This is the first such research in Bulgaria. Moreover, no studies have been conducted on HEV in pig liver in our country. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 liver samples from healthy pigs were collected from slaughterhouses in three parts of the country (Sofia, Lovech, and Stara Zagora districts). An equal number of samples (n = 30) were obtained from each district. Results: The overall HEV seropositivity was 67.7% of all 90 tested pig liver transudate samples; in Sofia district 20.0%, in Lovech district 90.0%, and in Stara Zagora district 93.3%. Conclusion: These data are similar to our previous serological studies for HEV in serum samples from industrial pigs, wild boars, and East Balkan swine. In this regard, testing the liver transudate could be a fine alternative method for seroepidemiological survey on HEV in swine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia Tsachev
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Magdalena Baymakova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Desislava Bangieva
- Department of Food Quality and Safety and Veterinary Legislation, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Bachir Khezzani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of El Oued, El Oued, Algeria.,Laboratory of Biology, Environment and Health (LBEH), Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of El Oued, El Oued, Algeria
| | - Todor Kundurzhiev
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Betina Valeva
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Roman Pepovich
- Department of Infectious Pathology, Hygiene, Technology and Control of Foods from Animal Origin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Fares-Gusmao R, Jiang Z, Subramaniam S, Visser BJ, Scott A, Ishida Y, Saito T, Baylis SA, McGivern DR. Development and characterization of secondary standards for nucleic acid amplification technology (NAAT) assays for detection of hepatitis E virus. J Clin Virol 2022; 157:105325. [PMID: 36395548 PMCID: PMC9714074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2022.105325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To harmonize assays for detection of HEV RNA, a World Health Organization International Standard (WHO IS) was established. The WHO IS represents the highest order standard for HEV RNA but is limited in quantity. Secondary standards are needed to limit the use of WHO IS and minimize the need to replace it. OBJECTIVE Establish secondary standards for HEV NAAT assays and to calibrate these against the WHO IS. METHODS Stocks of genotype 3 HEV were prepared using both cell lysates and cell culture supernatants to produce non-enveloped and quasi-enveloped virus stocks, respectively. Both stocks were heat-inactivated, diluted in negative human plasma, and lyophilized to produce two candidate secondary standards: HEV-RR (non-enveloped virus) and HEV-RR.1 (quasi-enveloped virus). Both candidate standards were characterized and calibrated against the WHO IS for HEV RNA in an international collaborative study. RESULTS The collaborative study returned a total of 15 data sets, with different RNA extraction and amplification methods. The estimated mean values relative to the WHO IS (250,000 IU/ml) are 229,000 IU/ml and 355,000 IU/ml for HEV-RR and HEV-RR.1, respectively. CONCLUSION We have established two secondary standards for HEV RNA calibrated against the WHO IS. These standards are non-infectious and stable under different storage temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaelle Fares-Gusmao
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhen Jiang
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sakthivel Subramaniam
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Bryan J Visser
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alysia Scott
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuji Ishida
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.; Research and Development Department, PhoenixBio, Co., Ltd, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Saito
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sally A Baylis
- Viral Safety Section, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | - David R McGivern
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA..
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Pellerin M, Trabucco B, Capai L, Laval M, Maestrini O, Jori F, Falchi A, Doceul V, Charrier F, Casabianca F, Pavio N. Low prevalence of hepatitis E virus in the liver of Corsican pigs slaughtered after 12 months despite high antibody seroprevalence. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e2706-e2718. [PMID: 35689821 PMCID: PMC9796636 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can be acute and benign or evolve to chronic hepatitis with rapid progression toward cirrhosis or liver failure in humans. Hence, hepatitis E (HE) disease is a major public health concern. In countries where pig populations are highly contaminated with HEV, human cases of HE are mainly foodborne, occurring frequently after consumption of raw or undercooked pork products or liver. Among factors associated to the presence of HEV in pork livers from intensive rearing systems, early slaughter (≤6 months) seems to be major. In Corsica, local pigs are raised in extensive farming systems and slaughtered after 12 months. To evaluate if slaughter of pigs over 12 months reduces the risk of HEV presence in livers, 1197 liver samples were randomly collected in 2 Corsican slaughterhouses. Presence of HEV RNA was detected in liver and HEV seroprevalence was determined in paired serum. The sampling included 1083 livers from animals between 12 and 48 months and 114 livers from animals <12 months. The samples were predominantly from semi-extensive and extensive farms (n = 1154). Estimated HEV seroprevalence was high, that is, >88%, and HEV RNA prevalence in adult pig livers (>12 months old) was low, that is, 0.18%. However, in livers from younger animals (<12 months), including piglets below 6 months old, 5.3% (6/114) of the samples were positive for HEV RNA. Sequences recovered from positive livers belonged to HEV genotype 3c and 3f. The presence of infectious HEV was confirmed in two livers by the detection of HEV replication in HepaRG cell cultures. Thus, this study demonstrates the low prevalence of HEV in livers of pigs over 12 months, even in farms with high HEV circulation. This observation may open new perspectives on the preferential use of livers from animals older than 12 months in raw pork liver products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Pellerin
- UMR VirologieANSES, INRAE, ENVALaboratoire de Santé AnimaleMaisons‐AlfortFrance
| | | | - Lisandru Capai
- Laboratoire de VirologieUniversité de Corse Pasquale PaoliUR BIOSCOPE 7310CorteFrance,Institute of Virology, University of Charité BerlinAG Junglen10117BerlinGermany
| | | | | | - Ferran Jori
- UMR ASTRE (Animaux, Santé, Territoire, Risques et Ecosystèmes), CIRADINRAEUniversité de MontpellierCampus International de BaillarguetMontpellierFrance
| | - Alessandra Falchi
- Laboratoire de VirologieUniversité de Corse Pasquale PaoliUR BIOSCOPE 7310CorteFrance
| | - Virginie Doceul
- UMR VirologieANSES, INRAE, ENVALaboratoire de Santé AnimaleMaisons‐AlfortFrance
| | - François Charrier
- UR SELMET‐LRDEINRAECorteFrance,UMR LISIS, Université Gustave EiffelINRAECNRSMarne‐la‐ValléeFrance
| | | | - Nicole Pavio
- UMR VirologieANSES, INRAE, ENVALaboratoire de Santé AnimaleMaisons‐AlfortFrance
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