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Turlewicz-Podbielska H, Ruszkowski JJ, Wojciechowski J, Pomorska-Mól M. No evidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among pet cats and dogs, and low seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus among pet rabbits in Poland. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:597-602. [PMID: 37740104 PMCID: PMC10811079 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10223-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The seroprevalence of Paslahepevirus balayani genotype 3 (hepatitis E virus genotype 3 - HEV-3; Hepeviridae family, genus Paslahepevirus) in pet cats, dogs and rabbits was evaluated. Samples from cats and dogs were collected from three veterinary practices from various parts of Poland: Poznan (wielkopolskie voivodeship), Przemysl (podkarpackie voivodeship) and Lublin (lubelskie voivodeship). Samples from rabbits were collected in Poznan. In total, serum samples from 90 cats, 82 dogs and 71 rabbits were selected and tested for specific anti-HEV-3 immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies using a commercial ELISA test. Pathogen seroprevalence among rabbits was calculated at a 95% confidence interval (CI) for each gender, age (up to 12 months, 1-3 years, 4-7 years and over 8 years), symptoms group (healthy, gastrointestinal disorders, other disorders) and compared with a chi-squared test. No anti-HEV-3 IgG antibodies were detected in any of the samples from cats and dogs. Anti-HEV-3 IgG antibodies were detected in 2.82% of the serum samples from rabbits (2/71; 95% CI: 0.78-9.70). No significant correlations between seropositivity and gender, age, and symptoms (p > 0.05) were observed in rabbits. Our findings indicate that pet rabbits in Poland are exposed to HEV-3, develop humoral response due to infection and might constitute a source for HEV-3 transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Turlewicz-Podbielska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60‑637, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jakub Jędrzej Ruszkowski
- Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60‑625, Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wolynska 35, 60‑637, Poznan, Poland.
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2
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Ahmed R, Nasheri N. Animal reservoirs for hepatitis E virus within the Paslahepevirus genus. Vet Microbiol 2023; 278:109618. [PMID: 36640568 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2022.109618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for acute hepatitis in humans. It is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus that belongs to the Hepeviridae family. The majority of concerning HEV genotypes belong to the Paslahepevirus genus and are subsequently divided into eight genotypes. HEV genotypes 1 and 2 exclusively infect humans and primates while genotypes 3 and 4 infect both humans and other mammals. Whereas HEV genotypes 5 and 6 are isolated from wild boars and genotypes 7 and 8 were identified from camels in the United Arab Emirates and China, respectively. HEV mainly spreads from humans to humans via the fecal-oral route. However, some genotypes with the capability of zoonotic transmissions, such as 3 and 4 transmit from animals to humans through feces, direct contact, and ingestion of contaminated meat products. As we further continue to uncover novel HEV strains in various animal species, it is becoming clear that HEV has a broad host range. Therefore, understanding the potential animal reservoirs for this virus will allow for better risk management and risk mitigation of infection with HEV. In this review, we mainly focused on animal reservoirs for the members of the species Paslahepevirus balayani and provided a comprehensive list of the host animals identified to date.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Abstract
Animal models are one of the most important tools in the study of human hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. They are particularly important in light of the major limitations of the cell culture system for HEV. Besides nonhuman primates, which are extremely valuable because of their susceptibility to HEV genotypes 1-4, animals like swine, rabbit, and humanized mice are also potential models for studies of pathogenesis, cross-species infection, and the molecular biology of HEV. Identification of a useful animal model for human HEV infection studies is crucial to further investigations into this ubiquitous yet poorly understood virus and facilitate the development of antiviral therapeutics and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxu Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- 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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Ferri G, Lauteri C, Festino AR, Piccinini A, Olivastri A, Vergara A. Hepatitis E Virus Detection in Hunted Wild Boar Liver and Muscle Tissues in Central Italy. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081628. [PMID: 36014046 PMCID: PMC9414245 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In different European countries, including Italy, hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been recognized as an emerging public health concern. Humans are infected through the orofecal route by the ingestion of contaminated uncooked or undercooked animal-origin foodstuffs. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) have gained a crucial role as viral reservoirs. HEV-3 is the most frequently identified genotype from hunted wild boar liver and muscle tissues. The Marche region, more specifically Ascoli Piceno province, is characterized by a rooted hunting tradition and related product consumption. In this research study, 312 liver and 296 muscle specimens were screened using biomolecular assays, and HEV RNA was detected from 5.45% and 1.35% of liver and muscle samples, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that positive animals were infected by genotype 3 subtype c. Based on the environmental pathogen characteristics, HEV has also evolved to guarantee its survival in a wild environment. Therefore, wild boars and ruminants have a key role in its persistence. Epidemiological data regarding HEV circulation have resulted as necessary, and biomolecular analysis represents an important means of monitoring and establishing preventive measures. A multidisciplinary approach could provide a wide perspective regarding HEV and infectious implications on human, animal, and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Ferri
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Post-Graduate Specialization School in Food Inspection “G. Tiecco”, University of Teramo, Strada Provinciale 18, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0861266886
| | - Carlotta Lauteri
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Post-Graduate Specialization School in Food Inspection “G. Tiecco”, University of Teramo, Strada Provinciale 18, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Festino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Post-Graduate Specialization School in Food Inspection “G. Tiecco”, University of Teramo, Strada Provinciale 18, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Andrea Piccinini
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Post-Graduate Specialization School in Food Inspection “G. Tiecco”, University of Teramo, Strada Provinciale 18, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Alberto Olivastri
- Veterinary Service I.A.O.A., ASUR Marche, Area Vasta 5 Ascoli Piceno/San Benedetto del Tronto, 63900 Fermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Vergara
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Post-Graduate Specialization School in Food Inspection “G. Tiecco”, University of Teramo, Strada Provinciale 18, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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Wang L, Liang C, Li X, Wang J, Fu R, Xing J, Shu J, Zhao C, Huang W. Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among Laboratory Rabbits in China. Pathogens 2021; 10:780. [PMID: 34205738 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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Pierini I, Di Bartolo I, Manuali E, Pirani S, Bazzucchi M, Moscati L, De Mia GM, Giammarioli M. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 diversity: Identification of a novel HEV subtype in wild boar in Central Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2121-2129. [PMID: 33006818 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade in Europe, the number of autochthonous cases of hepatitis E has significantly increased. Most of the cases arise from foodborne infections caused by the zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes HEV-3 and HEV-4. Several human cases have been linked to consumption of raw or undercooked animal products of both pork (liver sausages) and wild boar meat. In this study, the occurrence of HEV infection was investigated in 611 livers and 88 paired lungs from wild boars collected during the hunting seasons of 2016-2020 in the Umbria-Marche Apennines (Central Italy). Using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, 15 liver samples (2.45%) and one lung sample were found to be positive for HEV RNA. The phylogenetic tree built on the partial ORF2 gene revealed that the detected HEV strains belonged to HEV-3f (n = 5), HEV-3e (n = 1) and HEV-3c (n = 1) subtypes. Interestingly, 8 strains were genetically placed in a different cluster, further away from all other subtypes. To corroborate this finding, four complete genomes were obtained by next generation sequencing. The full genome of the HEV strains clustered together with another wild boar strain previously detected in Southern Italy in 2015 but the strains were divergent from all the HEV-3 strains classified in any subtype defined so far. Thus, these strains represent a novel subtype that might have originated in Italy, which we have tentatively named HEV-3n.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Pierini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Manuali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Pirani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Moira Bazzucchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Livia Moscati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Gian Mario De Mia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Monica Giammarioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
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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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Caballero-Gómez J, García Bocanegra I, Gómez-Guillamón F, Camacho-Sillero L, Zorrilla I, Lopez-Lopez P, Cano-Terriza D, Jiménez-Ruiz S, Frias M, Rivero-Juarez A. Absence of Hepatitis E virus circulation in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) in Mediterranean ecosystems in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:1422-1427. [PMID: 31930690 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, cases of autochthonous hepatitis E (HE) have sharply increased in European countries where foodborne transmission is considered the main route of HE virus (HEV) transmission. Although rabbits are considered the main reservoir of the zoonotic HEV-3ra subtype, information on the role of wild lagomorphs in the epidemiology of HEV remains scarce. The aim of this study therefore was to assess the circulation of HEV in European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis), the most important lagomorph species in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems. Liver samples from 372 wild rabbits and 78 Iberian hares were analysed using a broad-spectrum RT-PCR that detects HEV genotypes 1-8. None of the 450 lagomorphs tested were positive for HEV infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess HEV circulation in wild rabbits in Spain and the first to evaluate HEV infection in Iberian hares. Our results indicate absence of HEV circulation in wild rabbits and Iberian hares in southern Spain during the study period, which suggests that the risk of transmission of HEV from wild lagomorphs to other species, including humans, is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Félix Gómez-Guillamón
- Programa de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de la Fauna Silvestre (PVE), Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - Leonor Camacho-Sillero
- Programa de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de la Fauna Silvestre (PVE), Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible, Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - Irene Zorrilla
- Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico de la Fauna Silvestre en Andalucía (CAD), Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua (AMAYA), Junta de Andalucía, Málaga, Spain
| | - Pedro Lopez-Lopez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Saúl Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain.,Grupo de Sanidad y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, (SaBio-IREC, UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Mario Frias
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
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Rui P, Zhao F, Yan S, Wang C, Fu Q, Hao J, Zhou X, Zhong H, Tang M, Hui W, Li W, Shi D, Ma Z, Song T. Detection of hepatitis E virus genotypes 3 and 4 in donkeys in northern China. Equine Vet J 2019; 52:415-419. [PMID: 31746470 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of acute self-limiting hepatitis in humans in developing countries. Hepatitis E virus RNA was first detected in donkeys in Spain, but little is known about the possible presence of HEV in donkeys in China. OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of HEV in donkeys in northern China. STUDY DESIGN Investigation of the prevalence of HEV in donkeys using serological, molecular and phylogenetic approaches. METHODS A total of 401 donkey serum specimens were tested for serological and molecular detection of HEV via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The amplified products were cloned in pMD18-T vector and sequenced. The alignment and phylogenetic analysis of partial HEV ORF2 genes were compared with the corresponding sequences of the obtained HEV representative strains. RESULTS Serological results showed that 49 donkeys (12.22%, 95% CI: 9.18-15.83%) were positive for anti-HEV-specific antibodies, and 17 donkeys (4.24%, 95% CI: 2.49-6.70%) were positive for HEV viral RNA. On the basis of sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, all isolated HEV strains belonged to genotype 3 (HEV-3) or HEV-4, sharing more than 76.2-96.3% identities with 67 other HEV representative strains of HEV-1 to HEV-8. MAIN LIMITATIONS Further studies about the prevalence of HEV in organs or faecal samples from donkeys are needed to evaluate the possible role of HEV reservoir and to determine the risk factors associated with the transmission of this zoonotic virus in donkeys in China. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report documenting the molecular analysis of donkey HEV strains worldwide and the serological evidence of HEV infection in donkeys in northern China. The results suggest that young donkeys are more susceptible to HEV infection compared with older donkeys. Further investigation is required to determine whether donkeys should be considered reservoirs for zoonotic HEV. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Rui
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - F Zhao
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd., Donge, Shandong, China
| | - S Yan
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - C Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Q Fu
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - J Hao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - X Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based TCM, Dong-E E-Jiao Co., Ltd., Donge, Shandong, China
| | - H Zhong
- College of Science, Henan University of Engineering, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - M Tang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - W Hui
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - W Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - D Shi
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Z Ma
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - T Song
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
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11
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Modesto P, Maniaci MG, Cavallazzi U, Acutis PL, Peletto S. Evaluation of a molecular method for hepatitis E virus (HEV) detection in pancreatin of porcine origin. J Virol Methods 2019; 276:113790. [PMID: 31770544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2019.113790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatin is a combination of enzymes, principally amylase, lipase, and protease, used in the treatment of pancreatic endocrine insufficiency in humans. Pancreatin manufactured from imported porcine pancreas carries the risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) contamination. About 1 % of the starting material for pancreatin manufacture is invariably constituted of the small intestine, which is known to be a major extrahepatic site of HEV replication in pigs. The aim of this study was to evaluate a method to detect and quantify HEV in pancreatin of porcine origin. Because HEV cannot be easily grown by conventional cell culture, an approach based on an established quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) was selected. This entailed the use of a non-HEV internal control to monitor RNA extraction efficacy and the production of HEV synthetic RNA as a reference to account for the efficacy of reverse-transcription. The method was evaluated by experiments in which HEV (from naturally infected pigs) was spiked in both the starting material (i.e., porcine pancreas homogenate for industrial production) and in the pancreatin itself. A laboratory protocol matching the industrial production workflow was set up and RT-qPCR experiments were carried out to evaluate the method's ability to detect HEV in pancreatin made from HEV-contaminated porcine tissues. The results showed that the method may be employed in two different strategies: to test the porcine pancreas homogenate (quantitative performance) or directly on pancreatin (qualitative assay). While the risk of HEV contamination in pancreatin may be low, it cannot be completely ruled out. Testing for HEV based on the precautionary principle ought to be the guiding rule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Modesto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Maniaci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | | | - Pier Luigi Acutis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Simone Peletto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy.
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12
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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13
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Parisi F, Mazzei M, Verin R, Forzan M, Rocchigiani G, Roper C, Bertelloni G, Poli A. Hepatitis E virus infection in wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Italy and in the UK: a serological, molecular, and pathological study. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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14
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Mrzljak A, Dinjar-Kujundzic P, Jemersic L, Prpic J, Barbic L, Savic V, Stevanovic V, Vilibic-Cavlek T. Epidemiology of hepatitis E in South-East Europe in the "One Health" concept. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:3168-3182. [PMID: 31333309 PMCID: PMC6626717 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i25.3168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The significance of hepatitis E virus (HEV) as an important public health problem is rising. Until a decade ago, cases of HEV infection in Eur-ope were mainly confined to returning travelers, but nowadays, hepatitis E represents an emerging zoonotic infection in many European countries. The aim of this manuscript is to perform a systematic review of the published literature on hepatitis E distribution in humans, animals and environmental samples ("One Health" concept) in the South-Eastern European countries. Comparison of the available data showed that the anti-HEV seroprevalence in the South-Eastern Europe varies greatly, depending on the population studied, geographical area and methods used. The IgG seroprevalence rates in different population groups were found to be 1.1%-24.5% in Croatia, up to 20.9% in Bulgaria, 5.9-%17.1% in Romania, 15% in Serbia, up to 9.7% in Greece and 2%-9.7% in Albania. Among possible risk factors, older age was the most significant predictor for HEV seropositivity in most studies. Higher seroprevalence rates were found in animals. HEV IgG antibodies in domestic pigs were detected in 20%-54.5%, 29.2%-50%, 38.94%-50% and 31.1%-91.7% in Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, respectively. In wild boars seroprevalence rates were up to 10.3%, 30.3% and 31.1% in Romania, Slovenia and Croatia, respectively. A high HEV RNA prevalence in wild boars in some countries (Croatia and Romania) indicated that wild boars may have a key role in the HEV epidemiology. There are very few data on HEV prevalence in environmental samples. HEV RNA was detected in 3.3% and 16.7% surface waters in Slovenia and Serbia, respectively. There is no evidence of HEV RNA in sewage systems in this region. The available data on genetic characterization show that human, animal and environmental HEV strains mainly belong to the genotype 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mrzljak
- Department of Medicine, Merkur University Hospital; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Lorena Jemersic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Prpic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljubo Barbic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Stevanovic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb 10000, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
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15
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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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16
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen transmitting both human to human via the fecal oral route and from animals to humans through feces, direct contact, and consumption of contaminated meat products. Understanding the host range of the virus is critical for determining where potential threats to human health may be emerging from and where potential reservoirs for viral persistence in the environment may be hiding. Initially thought to be a human specific disease endemic to developing countries, the identification of swine as a primary host for genotypes 3 and 4 HEV in industrialized countries has begun a long journey of discovering novel strains of HEV and their animal hosts. As we continue identifying new strains of HEV in disparate animal species, it is becoming abundantly clear that HEV has a broad host range and many of these HEV strains can cross between differing animal species. These cross-species transmitting strains pose many unique challenges to human health as they are often unrecognized as sources of viral transmission.
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17
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Liu B, Chen Y, Sun Y, Nan Y, Li H, Du T, Hiscox JA, Zhao Q, Zhou EM. Experimental infection of rabbit with swine-derived hepatitis E virus genotype 4. Vet Microbiol 2019; 229:168-175. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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18
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Bigoraj E, Rzeżutka A. Application of ELISA recomWell HEV IgG (Human) for Detection of Virus-Specific Antibodies in Sera of Slaughtered Rabbits. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12161-018-1367-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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19
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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20
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De Sabato L, Ostanello F, De Grossi L, Marcario A, Franzetti B, Monini M, Di Bartolo I. Molecular survey of HEV infection in wild boar population in Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:1749-1756. [PMID: 30207081 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an RNA virus causing an acute generally self-limited disease in humans. An increasing number of autochthonous cases linked to zoonotic transmission of HEV genotype 3 have been reported over the last 10 years in Europe. Pigs and wild boars are considered the main reservoirs. The principal route of transmission in Europe is food-borne, linked by direct or indirect evidence to the consumption of raw or undercooked pork products and wild boar meat. In this study, we sampled 92 wild boar (Sus scrofa) livers during active surveillance in five municipalities in Central Italy throughout the hunting season 2016-2017. HEV RNA was detected in 52.2% of liver sampled with prevalence ranging from 0.0% to 65.7%. HEV-positive wild boars were detected in all but one area of hunting. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strains clustered within the two subtypes HEV-3c and HEV-3f and displayed a wide range of phylogenetic diversity. Several strains were circulating in the areas investigated; animals possibly belonging to the same family group hunted by the same team were infected with a unique strain (100% nucleotide identity). As wild animals are a proven source of HEV transmission to humans and pigs, the high prevalence observed (mean 52.2%) poses a question on the risk of consuming raw or undercooked wild boar meat, and thus, this subject deserves further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca De Sabato
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,Department of Sciences, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Ostanello
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Luigi De Grossi
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anita Marcario
- Zooprophylaxis and Research Institute of Latium and Tuscany "M. Aleandri'', Viterbo, Italy
| | - Barbara Franzetti
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy
| | - Marina Monini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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21
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King NJ, Hewitt J, Perchec-Merien AM. Hiding in Plain Sight? It's Time to Investigate Other Possible Transmission Routes for Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Developed Countries. Food Environ Virol 2018; 10:225-252. [PMID: 29623595 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-018-9342-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Historically in developed countries, reported hepatitis E cases were typically travellers returning from countries where hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic, but now there are increasing numbers of non-travel-related ("autochthonous") cases being reported. Data for HEV in New Zealand remain limited and the transmission routes unproven. We critically reviewed the scientific evidence supporting HEV transmission routes in other developed countries to inform how people in New Zealand may be exposed to this virus. A substantial body of indirect evidence shows domesticated pigs are a source of zoonotic human HEV infection, but there is an information bias towards this established reservoir. The increasing range of animals in which HEV has been detected makes it important to consider other possible animal reservoirs of HEV genotypes that can or could infect humans. Foodborne transmission of HEV from swine and deer products has been proven, and a large body of indirect evidence (e.g. food surveys, epidemiological studies and phylogenetic analyses) support pig products as vehicles of HEV infection. Scarce data from other foods suggest we are neglecting other potential sources of foodborne HEV infection. Moreover, other transmission routes are scarcely investigated in developed countries; the role of infected food handlers, person-to-person transmission via the faecal-oral route, and waterborne transmission from recreational contact or drinking untreated or inadequately treated water. People have become symptomatic after receiving transfusions of HEV-contaminated blood, but it is unclear how important this is in the overall hepatitis E disease burden. There is need for broader research efforts to support establishing risk-based controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola J King
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua, 5022, New Zealand
| | - Joanne Hewitt
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 34 Kenepuru Drive, Kenepuru, Porirua, 5022, New Zealand.
| | - Anne-Marie Perchec-Merien
- New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand
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22
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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23
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Kaiser M, Delaune D, Chazouillères O, Blümel J, Roque-Afonso AM, Baylis SA. A World Health Organization Human Hepatitis E Virus Reference Strain Related to Similar Strains Isolated from Rabbits. Genome Announc 2018; 6:e00292-18. [PMID: 29674549 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00292-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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24
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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. Infect Genet Evol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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25
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Spahr C, Knauf-Witzens T, Vahlenkamp T, Ulrich RG, Johne R. Hepatitis E virus and related viruses in wild, domestic and zoo animals: A review. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 65:11-29. [PMID: 28944602 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a human disease mainly characterized by acute liver illness, which is caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Large hepatitis E outbreaks have been described in developing countries; however, the disease is also increasingly recognized in industrialized countries. Mortality rates up to 25% have been described for pregnant women during outbreaks in developing countries. In addition, chronic disease courses could be observed in immunocompromised transplant patients. Whereas the HEV genotypes 1 and 2 are mainly confined to humans, genotypes 3 and 4 are also found in animals and can be zoonotically transmitted to humans. Domestic pig and wild boar represent the most important reservoirs for these genotypes. A distinct subtype of genotype 3 has been repeatedly detected in rabbits and a few human patients. Recently, HEV genotype 7 has been identified in dromedary camels and in an immunocompromised transplant patient. The reservoir animals get infected with HEV without showing any clinical symptoms. Besides these well-known animal reservoirs, HEV-specific antibodies and/or the genome of HEV or HEV-related viruses have also been detected in many other animal species, including primates, other mammals and birds. In particular, genotypes 3 and 4 infections are documented in many domestic, wildlife and zoo animal species. In most cases, the presence of HEV in these animals can be explained by spillover infections, but a risk of virus transmission through contact with humans cannot be excluded. This review gives a general overview on the transmission pathways of HEV to humans. It particularly focuses on reported serological and molecular evidence of infections in wild, domestic and zoo animals with HEV or HEV-related viruses. The role of these animals for transmission of HEV to humans and other animals is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Spahr
- Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Gardens, Stuttgart, Germany.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - T Vahlenkamp
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - R G Ulrich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hamburg-Luebeck-Borstel-Insel Riems, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - R Johne
- Department Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Animal models are one of the most important tools in the study of human hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. They are particularly important in light of the major limitations of the cell culture system for HEV. Besides nonhuman primates, which are extremely valuable because of their susceptibility to HEV genotypes 1-4, animals like swine, rabbit, and chicken are also potential models for studies of pathogenesis, cross-species infection, and the molecular biology of HEV. Identification of the most useful animal model for human HEV infection studies is crucial to further investigations into this ubiquitous yet poorly understood virus.
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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, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Ahn HS, Park BJ, Han SH, Kim YH, Kim DH, Kim BS, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Choi IS. Prevalence and genetic features of rabbit hepatitis E virus in Korea. J Med Virol 2017; 89:1995-2002. [PMID: 28617964 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health concern worldwide. HEV strains have been isolated from several animal species, some of which induce zoonosis. Recently, the isolation of HEV from rabbits was reported. Here, the partial capsid gene (320 bp) of HEV was detected in rabbit feces via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Rabbit HEV was found in two of six rabbit farms and 17 of 264 rabbit fecal samples (6.4%). A phylogenetic analysis of the partial capsid gene classified the 17 HEV isolates into the putative rabbit HEV clade. A full genomic sequence, KOR-Rb-1, was obtained from one rabbit HEV isolate by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends-PCR and RT-PCR, and comprised 7275 bp excluding the 3' poly(A) tail. It shared 77.5-86.8%, 86.6%, and 80.2-84.3% nucleotide identities with rabbit HEV isolates from China, the US, and France, respectively. It also shared 72.3-73.0%, 71.4%, 76.7-78.3%, 72.8-73.3%, and 47.1-47.2% nucleotide identities with representative strains of HEV-1, HEV-2, HEV-3, HEV-4, and avian HEV, respectively. A full-genome phylogenetic analysis classified KOR-Rb-1 into the provisional rabbit HEV clade. This isolate could be used to study the pathogenesis and zoonotic potential of rabbit HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Seop Ahn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Hoon Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Hwi Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bo-Sook Kim
- Animal Planning Division, Seoul Zoo, Gwacheon, Gyenggi, Korea
| | - Joong-Bok Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Yong Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Seon Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - In-Soo Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
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Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been detected in rabbits, but whether rabbit HEV strains can be transmitted to humans is not known. Of 919 HEV-infected patients in France during 2015-2016, five were infected with a rabbit HEV strain. None of the patients had direct contact with rabbits, suggesting foodborne or waterborne infections.
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Ricci A, Allende A, Bolton D, Chemaly M, Davies R, Fernandez Escamez PS, Herman L, Koutsoumanis K, Lindqvist R, Nørrung B, Robertson L, Ru G, Sanaa M, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Snary E, Speybroeck N, Ter Kuile B, Threlfall J, Wahlström H, Di Bartolo I, Johne R, Pavio N, Rutjes S, van der Poel W, Vasickova P, Hempen M, Messens W, Rizzi V, Latronico F, Girones R. Public health risks associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) as a food-borne pathogen. EFSA J 2017; 15:e04886. [PMID: 32625551 PMCID: PMC7010180 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important infection in humans in EU/EEA countries, and over the last 10 years more than 21,000 acute clinical cases with 28 fatalities have been notified with an overall 10-fold increase in reported HEV cases; the majority (80%) of cases were reported from France, Germany and the UK. However, as infection in humans is not notifiable in all Member States, and surveillance differs between countries, the number of reported cases is not comparable and the true number of cases would probably be higher. Food-borne transmission of HEV appears to be a major route in Europe; pigs and wild boars are the main source of HEV. Outbreaks and sporadic cases have been identified in immune-competent persons as well as in recognised risk groups such as those with pre-existing liver damage, immunosuppressive illness or receiving immunosuppressive treatments. The opinion reviews current methods for the detection, identification, characterisation and tracing of HEV in food-producing animals and foods, reviews literature on HEV reservoirs and food-borne pathways, examines information on the epidemiology of HEV and its occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. Presently, the only efficient control option for HEV infection from consumption of meat, liver and products derived from animal reservoirs is sufficient heat treatment. The development of validated quantitative and qualitative detection methods, including infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, is required for the development of quantitative microbial risk assessments and efficient control measures. More research on the epidemiology and control of HEV in pig herds is required in order to minimise the proportion of pigs that remain viraemic or carry high levels of virus in intestinal contents at the time of slaughter. Consumption of raw pig, wild boar and deer meat products should be avoided.
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Aprea G, Amoroso MG, Di Bartolo I, D'Alessio N, Di Sabatino D, Boni A, Cioffi B, D'Angelantonio D, Scattolini S, De Sabato L, Cotturone G, Pomilio F, Migliorati G, Galiero G, Fusco G. Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis E virus strains circulating in wild boars in south-central Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017; 65:e25-e31. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Aprea
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno; Portici Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”; Teramo Italy
| | - M. G. Amoroso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno; Portici Italy
| | | | - N. D'Alessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno; Portici Italy
| | - D. Di Sabatino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”; Teramo Italy
| | - A. Boni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”; Teramo Italy
| | - B. Cioffi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno; Portici Italy
| | - D. D'Angelantonio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”; Teramo Italy
| | - S. Scattolini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”; Teramo Italy
| | | | - G. Cotturone
- Ente Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente Velino; Rocca di Mezzo, AQ Italy
| | - F. Pomilio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”; Teramo Italy
| | - G. Migliorati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”; Teramo Italy
| | - G. Galiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno; Portici Italy
| | - G. Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno; Portici Italy
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Hammerschmidt F, Schwaiger K, Dähnert L, Vina-Rodriguez A, Höper D, Gareis M, Groschup MH, Eiden M. Hepatitis E virus in wild rabbits and European brown hares in Germany. Zoonoses Public Health 2017; 64:612-622. [PMID: 28371421 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a change of hepatitis E from being a typical travel-associated disease to an autochthonous zoonosis in Germany was observed. An increasing number of autochthonous infections with the hepatitis E Virus (HEV) have been recognized in developed countries. Venison from wild boar is already known to be a potential source of infection, if not prepared properly by the consumer. In Germany, certain wild animals are known to be a reservoir for HEV. However, current information is missing about European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, a total of 833 hunting-harvested animals (European brown hares n = 669; wild rabbits n = 164) were tested for the occurrence of HEV RNA and HEV antibodies. For this, liver and blood specimens were taken after hunts in six German federal states. HEV antibodies were found by ELISA in 2.2% (624/14) of European brown hares, but no HEV RNA was detectable by nested real-time RT-PCR. In contrast, a seroprevalence of 37.3% (126/47) was observed for wild rabbits, and 17.1% (164/28) of the samples were HEV RNA positive. Genomic analysis revealed that these partial sequences clustered within the rabbit clade of HEV-3 genotype. In addition, one rabbit sequence segregated into subtype 3g of HEV-3. Highest seroprevalences for hares and rabbits were detected in the federal states of Bavaria and of Schleswig-Holstein, respectively. Comparing urban, rural and insular areas, the highest seroprevalence was shown for wild rabbits in rural areas and for European brown hares on the northern island Fehmarn. This study provides evidence that European brown hares and wild rabbits from Germany can be infected with HEV. The different prevalences indicate that wild rabbits are a potential reservoir for HEV in Germany, whereas European brown hares seem to be only of minor importance for the epidemiology of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Hammerschmidt
- Chair of Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - K Schwaiger
- Chair of Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - L Dähnert
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - A Vina-Rodriguez
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - D Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M Gareis
- Chair of Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - M H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
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Liu B, Sun Y, Du T, Chen Y, Wang X, Huang B, Li H, Nan Y, Xiao S, Zhang G, Hiscox JA, Zhou EM, Zhao Q. Rabbit hepatitis E virus is an opportunistic pathogen in specific-pathogen-free rabbits with the capability of cross-species transmission. Vet Microbiol 2017; 201:72-7. [PMID: 28284626 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been detected in rabbits, a recently identified natural reservoir. In this study, anti-HEV antibodies and viral RNA were detected in rabbits sourced from a specific-pathogen-free (SPF) rabbit vendor in Shaanxi Province, China. BLAST results of partial HEV ORF2 genes cloned here indicated that two viral strains circulated in the rabbits. Sequence determination of the complete genome (7302bp) of one strain and a partial ORF1 gene (1537bp) of the other strain showed that they shared 90% identity with one another and 78%-94% identity with other known rabbit HEVs. In addition, inoculation with rabbit HEV from SPF rabbits studied here resulted in infection of SPF pigs; this cross-species transmission was evidenced by seroconversion, viremia and faecal virus shedding. These results suggest that to prevent spread of this zoonotic pathogen, rabbits should be tested routinely for HEV RNA in SPF vendor facilities.
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Clemente-Casares P, Ramos-Romero C, Ramirez-Gonzalez E, Mas A. Hepatitis E Virus in Industrialized Countries: The Silent Threat. Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:9838041. [PMID: 28070522 PMCID: PMC5192302 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9838041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Its presence in developing countries has been documented for decades. Developed countries were supposed to be virus-free and initially only imported cases were detected in those areas. However, sporadic and autochthonous cases of HEV infection have been identified and studies reveal that the virus is worldwide spread. Chronic hepatitis and multiple extrahepatic manifestations have also been associated with HEV. We review the data from European countries, where human, animal, and environmental data have been collected since the 90s. In Europe, autochthonous HEV strains were first detected in the late 90s and early 2000s. Since then, serological data have shown that the virus infects quite frequently the European population and that some species, such as pigs, wild boars, and deer, are reservoirs. HEV strains can be isolated from environmental samples and reach the food chain, as shown by the detection of the virus in mussels and in contaminated pork products as sausages or meat. All these data highlight the need of studies directed to control the sources of HEV to protect immunocompromised individuals that seem the weakest link of the HEV epidemiology in industrialized regions.
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Doceul V, Bagdassarian E, Demange A, Pavio N. Zoonotic Hepatitis E Virus: Classification, Animal Reservoirs and Transmission Routes. Viruses 2016; 8:v8100270. [PMID: 27706110 PMCID: PMC5086606 DOI: 10.3390/v8100270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past ten years, several new hepatitis E viruses (HEVs) have been identified in various animal species. In parallel, the number of reports of autochthonous hepatitis E in Western countries has increased as well, raising the question of what role these possible animal reservoirs play in human infections. The aim of this review is to present the recent discoveries of animal HEVs and their classification within the Hepeviridae family, their zoonotic and species barrier crossing potential, and possible use as models to study hepatitis E pathogenesis. Lastly, this review describes the transmission pathways identified from animal sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Doceul
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Animal Health Laboratory, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Association of Universities and High Education Institutions (ComUE), Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne University, National Veterinary School, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Eugénie Bagdassarian
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Animal Health Laboratory, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Association of Universities and High Education Institutions (ComUE), Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne University, National Veterinary School, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Antonin Demange
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Animal Health Laboratory, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Association of Universities and High Education Institutions (ComUE), Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne University, National Veterinary School, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Nicole Pavio
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Animal Health Laboratory, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Association of Universities and High Education Institutions (ComUE), Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne University, National Veterinary School, UMR (joint research unit) 1161 Virology, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.
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Roth A, Lin J, Magnius L, Karlsson M, Belák S, Widén F, Norder H. Markers for Ongoing or Previous Hepatitis E Virus Infection Are as Common in Wild Ungulates as in Humans in Sweden. Viruses 2016; 8:E259. [PMID: 27657108 PMCID: PMC5035973 DOI: 10.3390/v8090259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a human pathogen with zoonotic spread, infecting both domestic and wild animals. About 17% of the Swedish population is immune to HEV, but few cases are reported annually, indicating that most infections are subclinical. However, clinical hepatitis E may also be overlooked. For identified cases, the source of infection is mostly unknown. In order to identify whether HEV may be spread from wild game, the prevalence of markers for past and/or ongoing infection was investigated in sera and stool samples collected from 260 hunted Swedish wild ungulates. HEV markers were found in 43 (17%) of the animals. The most commonly infected animal was moose (Alces alces) with 19 out of 69 animals (28%) showing HEV markers, followed by wild boar (Sus scrofa) with 21 out of 139 animals (15%), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) with 2 out of 30 animals, red deer (Cervus elaphus) with 1 out of 15 animals, and fallow deer (Dama dama) 0 out of 7 animals. Partial open reading frame 1 (ORF1) of the viral genomes from the animals were sequenced and compared with those from 14 endemic human cases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that three humans were infected with HEV strains similar to those from wild boar. These results indicate that wild animals may be a source of transmission to humans and could be an unrecognized public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette Roth
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Jay Lin
- Department of Virology, Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
- The OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) Collaborating Centre for the Biotechnology-Based Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Veterinary Medicine, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lars Magnius
- Ulf Lundahl Foundation, 116 21 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Marie Karlsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Sándór Belák
- Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
- The OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) Collaborating Centre for the Biotechnology-Based Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Veterinary Medicine, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Frederik Widén
- Department of Virology, Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
- Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
- The OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) Collaborating Centre for the Biotechnology-Based Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Veterinary Medicine, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Heléne Norder
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Burt SA, Veltman J, Hakze-van der Honing R, Schmitt H, van der Poel WHM. Hepatitis E Virus in Farmed Rabbits, Wild Rabbits and Petting Farm Rabbits in the Netherlands. Food Environ Virol 2016; 8:227-9. [PMID: 27147250 PMCID: PMC4972841 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-016-9239-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Rabbits have been suggested as a zoonotic source of Hepatitis E virus. Phylogenetic analysis of HEV isolates from farmed, wild and pet rabbits in the Netherlands (0, 60, and 23 % respectively) showed them to be grouped amongst published rabbit HEV sequences and distinct from most human isolates. Dutch rabbits are unlikely to be a zoonotic source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A Burt
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences - Veterinary Public Health Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, PO Box 80175, 3508TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jorg Veltman
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences - Veterinary Public Health Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, PO Box 80175, 3508TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renate Hakze-van der Honing
- Department of Virology, Central Veterinary Institute, Wageningen University Research, Edelhertweg 15, 8219PH, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Heike Schmitt
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences - Veterinary Public Health Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, PO Box 80175, 3508TD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wim H M van der Poel
- Department of Virology, Central Veterinary Institute, Wageningen University Research, Edelhertweg 15, 8219PH, Lelystad, The Netherlands
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Caruso C, Peletto S, Rosamilia A, Modesto P, Chiavacci L, Sona B, Balsamelli F, Ghisetti V, Acutis PL, Pezzoni G, Brocchi E, Vitale N, Masoero L. Hepatitis E Virus: A Cross-Sectional Serological and Virological Study in Pigs and Humans at Zoonotic Risk within a High-Density Pig Farming Area. Transbound Emerg Dis 2016; 64:1443-1453. [PMID: 27380833 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
An increase in autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections has been recorded in Italy suspected to be zoonotically transmitted from pigs; this study was carried out to determinate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis HEV exposition, both in swine and humans working in pig farms, located within a high-density pig farming area in Piedmont region, north-western Italy. The presence of viral RNA in human and swine samples was also evaluated, and phylogenetic analysis was performed on HEV-positive samples. Forty-two swine farms were sampled; 142 workers were enrolled in the study and classified into two groups: (i) 69 workers with occupational contact with swine (including veterinarians and farmers) recruited in the 42 sampled farms; (ii) 73 without occupational contact with swine. Forty-one of 42 (97%) swine farms resulted positive to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test for HEV antibodies (Abs). Overall seroprevalence in swine was 50% (441/879), with seropositivity rate higher in sows (333/469, 71%). HEV RNA in stool samples was detected in animals from 13 of 42 tested farms (31%), and a higher positivity resulted in weaners (40/246, 16.3%). Phylogenetic analysis classified all HEV isolates within genotype 3 (subtypes 3f, 3e, 3c). All humans were negative for HEV viral genome in blood. Five of 142 sera were positive for IgG anti-HEV with an overall prevalence of 3.52% with no statistically significant differences in prevalence rates between workers at zoonotic risk and the control group (5.7% versus 1.3%). In contrast, a significant difference (OR 10.1) was observed within the subgroup including subjects exposed for short periods (veterinarians) compared with those who worked for long periods (farmers) suggesting a correlation between the time of exposure and the likelihood of HEV infection. Reporting HEV infection is not mandatory in Italy, but a constant epidemiological surveillance should be ensured to clarify the epidemiology of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Caruso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valled' Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - S Peletto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valled' Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | | | - P Modesto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valled' Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - L Chiavacci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valled' Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - B Sona
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale CN1, Cuneo, Italy
| | - F Balsamelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valled' Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - V Ghisetti
- Ospedale Amedeo di Savoia, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - P L Acutis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valled' Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - G Pezzoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - E Brocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - N Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valled' Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - L Masoero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valled' Aosta, Turin, Italy
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Di Bartolo I, De Sabato L, Marata A, Martinelli N, Magistrali CF, Monini M, Ponterio E, Ostanello F, Ruggeri FM. Serological survey of hepatitis E virus infection in farmed and pet rabbits in Italy. Arch Virol 2016; 161:1343-6. [PMID: 26873813 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-2778-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The recent identification in rabbits of hepatitis E viruses (HEV) related to viruses infecting humans raises the question of the role of this species as possible HEV reservoir. A serological survey on rabbit HEV infection was conducted in Italy during 2013-2014, including both farmed and pet rabbits. We found an anti-HEV antibody seroprevalence of 3.40 % in 206 farmed rabbits (collected on 7 farms) and 6.56 % in 122 pets. RNA was extracted from IgG-positive sera and analyzed by HEV-specific real-time RT-PCR. None of the samples were positive, confirming that no viremia was present in the presence of IgG. Only one serum sample from a farmed rabbit was positive for IgM, but no HEV RNA was detected in it. Pet rabbit feces were also tested for HEV RNA, with negative results. This finding suggests that HEV is circulating in rabbits in Italy.
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Lhomme S, Abravanel F, Dubois M, Chapuy-Regaud S, Sandres-Saune K, Mansuy JM, Rostaing L, Kamar N, Izopet J. Temporal evolution of the distribution of hepatitis E virus genotypes in Southwestern France. Infect Genet Evol 2015. [PMID: 26218544 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Southwest France is a highly endemic region for hepatitis E virus (HEV). This study examined the circulation of HEV strains between 2003 and 2014 in the Midi-Pyrénées, and compared these data with those from the rest of France. The polyproline region (PPR) of the ORF1 region of the HEV genome was also analyzed. HEV genotype was determined by sequencing a 348-nt fragment within the ORF2 gene for 333 strains in the Midi-Pyrénées and for 571 strains from the rest of France. PPR region was characterized for 56 strains. The frequency of subgenotype 3f decreased over time, whereas subgenotype 3c increased in the Midi-Pyrénées. Repartition of strains did not differ in the Midi-Pyrénées compared to the rest of France. HEV3i and HEV4 have been recently detected throughout France. PPR lengths showed that two major groups of HEV3f exist. Our study shows that HEV3 distribution in the Midi-Pyrénées was similar to the whole of France. Local dietary habits could explain the higher seroprevalence in the Midi-Pyrénées rather the circulation of a particular variant in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastien Lhomme
- INSERM, UMR1043, Toulouse F-31300, France; Department of Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis E Virus, CHU Purpan, Toulouse F-31300, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Florence Abravanel
- INSERM, UMR1043, Toulouse F-31300, France; Department of Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis E Virus, CHU Purpan, Toulouse F-31300, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Martine Dubois
- INSERM, UMR1043, Toulouse F-31300, France; Department of Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis E Virus, CHU Purpan, Toulouse F-31300, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Sabine Chapuy-Regaud
- INSERM, UMR1043, Toulouse F-31300, France; Department of Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis E Virus, CHU Purpan, Toulouse F-31300, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Karine Sandres-Saune
- INSERM, UMR1043, Toulouse F-31300, France; Department of Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis E Virus, CHU Purpan, Toulouse F-31300, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Michel Mansuy
- Department of Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis E Virus, CHU Purpan, Toulouse F-31300, France
| | - Lionel Rostaing
- INSERM, UMR1043, Toulouse F-31300, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France; Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse F-31300, France
| | - Nassim Kamar
- INSERM, UMR1043, Toulouse F-31300, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France; Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse F-31300, France
| | - Jacques Izopet
- INSERM, UMR1043, Toulouse F-31300, France; Department of Virology, National Reference Center for Hepatitis E Virus, CHU Purpan, Toulouse F-31300, France; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
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Zhang Y, Zeng H, Liu P, Liu L, Xia J, Wang L, Zou Q, Wang L, Zhuang H. Hepatitis E vaccine immunization for rabbits to prevent animal HEV infection and zoonotic transmission. Vaccine 2015. [PMID: 26212003 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has become a significant global public health concern as increasing cases of acute and chronic hepatitis E are reported. HEV of animal origin was proved to be a possible source of human infection and a previous study showed that the recent licensed HEV 239 vaccine can serve as a candidate vaccine to manage animal sources of HEV infection. However, previous immunization strategy for rabbits was the same as that for human, which is too costly to conduct large-scale animal vaccination. In an effort to reduce the costs, three vaccination schemes were assessed in the present study. Forty specific pathogen-free (SPF) rabbits were divided randomly into five groups with eight animals for each and inoculated intramuscularly with different doses of HEV 239 and placebo, respectively. All animals were challenged intravenously with swine HEV-4 and rabbit HEV of different titers 7 weeks after the initial immunization and then fecal virus excretion was monitored for 10 weeks. The results indicated that immunizing rabbits with two 10μg doses of the vaccine is superior to vaccination with two 20μg doses or a single 30μg dose, which can protect rabbits against homologous and heterologous HEV infection. These findings could enable implementation of large-scale animal vaccination to prevent rabbit HEV infection and zoonotic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Zeng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Liu
- 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
| | - Junke Xia
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Zou
- 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.
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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