scholarly journals Hepatitis E Virus seroprevalence among cows in a rural area of southern Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-338
Author(s):  
Michela Pugliese ◽  
◽  
Rocky La Maestra ◽  
Annalisa Guercio ◽  
Giuseppa Purpari ◽  
...  

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered to be an emerging zoonotic disease, which causes numerous cases of hepatitis and deaths worldwide each year. Pigs are a host reservoir of HEV, but numerous other wild and domestic species can be infected. The aim of this study was to carry out serological screening of anti-HEV antibodies in cattle in the Sicily region (Southern Italy). Between April and December 2018, 231 serum samples were collected from cows and analysed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for detection of HEV antibodies (IgG). The overall prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was 36.36% (84/231; 95% CI 30-43). There were statistically significant differences in the HEV seroprevalence in animals of different ages (<11 months: 11.41%; >12 months: 39.30%; >24 months: 54.10%) (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were detected between genders (31.37% in male and 37.38% in female) (P >0.05). This study shows that further investigation of HEV in cattle is required to understand better the epidemiology in farm animals and the potential zoonotic risks for humans. This is the first report of HEV seroprevalence for cows in Italy, which provides baseline data for further studies and for control of HEV infection in cattle.

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 2099-2102 ◽  
Author(s):  
NICOLA COSTANZO ◽  
ELEONORA SARNO ◽  
VINCENZO PERETTI ◽  
LUCIA CIAMBRONE ◽  
FRANCESCO CASALINUOVO ◽  
...  

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a common acute hepatitis transmitted by the fecal-oral route. In developed countries, the virus has a zoonotic potential, and domestic pigs and wild boars are considered main reservoirs. To assess the prevalence of HEV-positive animals in the Calabria region (southern Italy) on a serological and molecular level, a total of 216 autochthonous healthy pigs (Apulo-Calabrese breed) were sampled. Both sera and feces were collected. Pigs were grouped based on age: 117 pigs &lt;6 months and 99 pigs &gt;6 months. By using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system, a total of 173 (80%) of the 216 pigs tested seropositive. In all sampled farms (n = 8), pigs with antibodies (immunoglobulin G) against HEV were detected at a level higher than 60%, with a significant difference among age groups (P &lt; 0.0001). Moreover, 16 fattening pigs were found to be nested reverse transcription PCR positive and thus to shed viral genomes in their feces. These positive findings resulted in a prevalence of 48.4% on the farm level (16 of 35 pigs) and an overall prevalence of 7.4% at the animal level (16 of 216 pigs). Based on the present study, HEV seems to circulate among the autochthonous domestic pig population of southern Italy with a low sharing rate. Further studies exploring the origin of infection are needed to minimize the risk of human exposure and to reduce consequences for public health.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Fu ◽  
Baochai Lin ◽  
Bingting Wu ◽  
Ling Ke ◽  
Tianfu Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a nonenveloped RNA virus causing Hepatitis E worldwide. An increasing transfusion transmission cases of HEV infections from asymptomatic blood donors which causing serious illnesses in immunosuppressed recipients have been reported in the past few years. China is one of the highly prevalent regions of HEV, it is important to evaluate the risk of HEV transmission from blood transfusion. METHODS: A total of 1864 serum samples from blood donors and demographic characteristics were randomly collected from Feb to Mar 2018 in Dali city. Anti-HEV IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies and HEV antigen were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HEV RNA was detected by real-time PCR. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to examine risk factors associated with HEV prevalence.RESULTS: Overall, the positive rate of anti-HEV IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies was 13.36% (249/1864), 1.13%(21/1864), and 1.82%(34/1864), respectively. However, none of the 1864 serum samples was detected as HEV antigen-positive nor HEV RNA positive. The positive rate of anti-HEV IgG antibody is high as 28.57% (2/7) in the donors with isolated elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Females (16.69%) had a significantly higher HEV seroprevalence than males (13.04%) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34 [95% CI, 1.02-1.75]). Other ethnic minority (24.32%) and Bai (18.85%) donors had a significantly higher HEV seroprevalence when compared to Han (12.21%) blood donors (odds ratio [OR], 2.25 [95% CI, 1.04-4.88] for other ethnic minority, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.24-2.19] for Bai). Conclusions: Dali, Yunnan province, China is an endemic region for HEV and have a relatively low risk of HEV transmission via blood transfusion. Whether to formulate the strategy for HEV screening in blood center needed further researched.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1322-1327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamaš Petrović ◽  
Diana Lupulović ◽  
Nereida Jiménez de Oya ◽  
Svetlana Vojvodić ◽  
Ana-Belén Blázquez ◽  
...  

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is rarely reported in industrialized countries, but recent studies have revealed quite variable seroprevalence rates among European populations, including blood donors. In Serbia, very limited data about HEV seroprevalence are available. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies and HEV RNA in the sera of volunteer blood donors in Serbia. Methodology: Serum samples from 200 volunteer blood donors were tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using ORF-2 HEV genotype 3 recombinant proteins as antigen, and for the presence of HEV RNA by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: In total, 15% of the volunteer blood donors were seropositive. The prevalence increased with age; 21.5%, 14.2%, and 5.4% HEV seroprevalence rates were found in individuals older than 51 years, between 31 and 50 years, and in those younger than 30 years of age, respectively. However, no HEV RNA was detected in any of the individuals analyzed. Conclusions: The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG among blood donors as representatives of the general population is quite high in Serbia compared to data from many European countries. One of the reasons for this could be the high prevalence of HEV among Serbian pigs and the traditional consumption of piglet meat in the country. The relatively high HEV seroprevalence found among Serbian blood donors indicates the need for further investigation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Fu ◽  
Baochai Lin ◽  
Bingting Wu ◽  
Ling Ke ◽  
Tianfu Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a nonenveloped RNA virus causing hepatitis E worldwide. The increase in transfusion-transmitted cases of HEV infections from asymptomatic blood donors causing serious illnesses among immunosuppressed recipients has been reported in the past few years. China is one of the most prevalent regions of HEV; as a result, it is important to evaluate the risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV. Methods A total of 1864 serum samples (including demographic characteristics) from blood donors were randomly collected from February to March 2018 in Dali city. Anti-HEV IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies and HEV antigen were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HEV RNA was detected by real-time PCR. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to examine the risk factors associated with HEV prevalence. Results Overall, the positive rates of anti-HEV IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies were 13.36% (249/1864), 1.13% (21/1864), and 1.82% (34/1864), respectively. However, none of the 1864 serum samples were HEV antigen positive or HEV RNA positive. Females (16.69%) had a significantly higher HEV seroprevalence than males (13.04%) (odds ratio [OR] 1.34 [95% CI, 1.02–1.75]). Bai (18.85%) donors had a significantly higher HEV seroprevalence than Han (12.21%) blood donors (odds ratio [OR], 1.65 [95% CI, 1.24–2.19] for Bai). Conclusions HEV showed a seroprevalence among blood donors in Yunnan Province, some of which were even recent infections, indicating a threat to the safety of blood transfusions. Whether to formulate a strategy for HEV screening in blood centres needs further research.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Xuan Zhang ◽  
Si-Yuan Qin ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Qing-Feng Meng ◽  
Jing Jiang ◽  
...  

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a single stranded RNA, nonenveloped virus, belongs to the genusHepevirus, in the family ofHepeviridae. In this study, 46 (5.43%) out of the 847 serum samples from sika deer (Cervus nippon) were detected as seropositive with hepatitis E virus (HEV) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These samples were collected from Inner Mongolia and Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in China, between October 2012 and October 2013. Seroprevalence of HEV infection in male and female deer was 4.82% and 6.52%, respectively. HEV seroprevalence in sika deer from different geographical locations varied from 3.13% to 6.73%. There was no significant difference in HEV seroprevalence between sika deer collected in autumn (5.65%) and winter (4.85%). This is the first report of HEV seroprevalence in sika deer in China, which will provide foundation information for estimating the effectiveness of future measures to control HEV infection in sika deer in China and assessing the potential risk of humans infected with HEV after consumption of undercooked or raw meat from infected sika deer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 450
Author(s):  
Alejandro Navarro ◽  
Carmen Bárcena ◽  
Pilar Pozo ◽  
Alberto Díez-Guerrier ◽  
Irene Martínez ◽  
...  

In recent years, cases of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection have increased in Europe in association with the consumption of contaminated food, mainly from pork products but also from wild boars. The animal’s serum is usually tested for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies and viral RNA but, in many cases such as during hunting, an adequate serum sample cannot be obtained. In the present study, liver transudate was evaluated as an alternative matrix to serum for HEV detection. A total of 125 sera and liver transudates were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at different dilutions (1:2, 1:10, 1:20), while 58 samples of serum and liver transudate were checked for the presence of HEV RNA by RT-qPCR. Anti- HEV antibodies were detected by ELISA in 68.0% of the serum samples, and in 61.6% of the undiluted transudate, and in 70.4%, 56.8%, and 44.8% of 1:2, 1:10, or 1:20 diluted transudate, respectively. The best results were obtained for the liver transudate at 1:10 dilution, based on the Kappa statistic (0.630) and intraclass correlation coefficient (0.841). HEV RNA was detected by RT-qPCR in 22.4% of the serum samples and 6.9% of the transudate samples, all samples used for RT-qPCR were positive by ELISA. Our results indicate that liver transudate may be an alternative matrix to serum for the detection of anti-HEV antibodies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-202
Author(s):  
Anup Kumar Shetty ◽  
Jeshma Crasta Kannur

: Infectious hepatitis can be caused by Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses. Hepatitis E infection is a water-borne disease transmitted by faeco-oral route. It is a cause of major health problems in developing countries. Outbreaks can happen due to improper hygiene and poor sanitation. Hepatitis E infection shows similar mode of transmission and clinical features of Hepatitis A infection. : This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of Hepatitis E virus infection in patients screened for hepatitis A virus.: This prospective surveillance study was conducted between March 2020 to March 2021 on 57 serum samples which is came for the screening of anti-Hepatitis A virus IgM by enhanced Chemiluminescence method. These samples were collected and tested for anti- Hepatitis E virus IgM by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.: Among 57 samples, 11 samples (19.3%) were positive for Hepatitis A Virus IgM, 13 samples (22.8%) were positive for Hepatitis E virus IgM, and 7 samples (12.3%) were positive for both.: Hepatitis E virus infections were more than Hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis E and Hepatitis A virus co- infection was also observed. Screening of both viruses is suggested for infectious hepatitis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-55
Author(s):  
Ayesha Begum ◽  
Shahina Tabassum ◽  
Md. Nazrul Islam ◽  
Ms Afzalunnessa

The present study was done to determine the seroprevalence of the infection by Hepatitis E virus (HEV) among patients attending Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbag, Dhaka. Serum samples from 408 subjects, aged between 0-69 years, attending BSMMU from different rural and urban areas of Bangladesh were tested for HEV IgG by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-HEV IgG was found among 20.6% of the study population. A higher rate of seropositivity (26.1%) was found among patients attending from urban than those from rural (15.1%) areas which is statistically significant (P < 0.01). A gradual rise in prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was observed among the study population according to age, starting from 10.6% in the 0-9 years age group and increasing with higher age thereafter. The HEV IgG prevalence reached its highest (28.3%) in the 30-39 years, which remained at around the same level in the 40-49 years (25.0%) and 50-59 years (26.0%), with a drop of incidence in the 60-69 years age group (17.8%). The study indicates HEV infection as a public health problem in Bangladesh and suggests to ensure increased awareness to prevent andcontrol future outbreaks.Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2007; 01 (02): 52-55


2005 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 526-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takehiro Mitsui ◽  
Yukie Tsukamoto ◽  
Shigeru Suzuki ◽  
Chikao Yamazaki ◽  
Kazuo Masuko ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Yamano ◽  
A. Goto ◽  
M. Miyoshi ◽  
K. Furuya ◽  
Y. Sawada ◽  
...  

AbstractAlveolar echinococcosis (AE) is endemic to Hokkaido, Japan. For the past 20 years, detection of AE among inhabitants has involved serological screening using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) followed by Western blotting (WB). Between the years 1987 and 2000, antigens targeted on 66, 55 and 30–35 kDa bands were routinely used in the WB step of AE diagnosis. However, since 2001 diagnosis has been dependent on three smaller molecular weight antigens (26–28, 18 and 7–8 kDa). Due to its higher sensitivity, this improved WB approach has been used as a confirmation step in the screening process and also for the testing of suspected AE cases in hospital outpatients. Using the improved WB technique, a total of 1745 serum samples were examined in 2001–2006 with 81 patients detected and registered with AE. Interestingly, sera from 76 of the 81 diagnosed AE patients (93.8%) demonstrated reactivity with all three antigens. However, sera from the remaining five patients (6.2%) demonstrated no reactivity with the 18 kDa antigen, even though they exhibited clearly detectable levels of reactivity with the 26–28 and 7–8 kDa bands. These results suggest that medical practitioners need to pay particular attention to the specific reactions to some different diagnostic antigens to minimize the risk of misdiagnosing AE patients. In turn, these results may also provide important diagnostic information for cystic echinococcosis (CE).


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