scholarly journals Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus Type 3 in Switzerland—From Stable to Table

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3177
Author(s):  
Isabelle Vonlanthen-Specker ◽  
Roger Stephan ◽  
Xaver Sidler ◽  
Dominik Moor ◽  
Cornel Fraefel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meat Products ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Type 3 ◽  
Reservoir Hosts ◽  
Specific Cluster

Hepatitis E caused by hepatitis E viruses of the genotype 3 (HEV-3) is a major health concern in industrialized countries and due to its zoonotic character requires a “One Health” approach to unravel routes and sources of transmission. Knowing the viral diversity present in reservoir hosts, i.e., pigs but also wild boars, is an important prerequisite for molecular epidemiology. The aim of this study was to gain primary information on the diversity of HEV-3 subtypes present along the food chain in Switzerland, as well as the diversity within these subtypes. To this end, samples of domestic pigs from slaughterhouses and carcass collection points, as well as from hunted wild boars, were tested for HEV RNA and antibodies. HEV positive meat products were provided by food testing labs. The HEV subtypes were determined using Sanger and next generation sequencing. The genetic analyses confirmed the predominance of a Swiss-specific cluster within subtype HEV-3h in pigs, meat products, and wild boars. This cluster, which may result from local virus evolution due to the isolated Swiss pig industry, supports fast differentiation of domestic and imported infections with HEV.

scholarly journals Preliminary study on the detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies in pigs and wild boars in Poland

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Weiner ◽  
Małgorzata Tokarska-Rodak ◽  
Dorota Plewik ◽  
Anna Pańczuk ◽  
Adam Szepeluk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Pork Production ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract Introduction: Although HEV infection in pigs does not pose a major economic risk to pork production, the risk of zoonotic transmission to humans is an important aspect of public health. HEV genotype 3 infections were reported in developed countries in individuals who had consumed raw meat or meat products from deer, wild boars, or pigs. The aim of the study was the analysis of the occurrence of HEV-specific antibodies among wild boars and domestic pigs in Poland. Material and Methods: A total of 290 samples from wild boars and 143 samples from pigs were tested. The antibodies were tested by ELISA. Results: The presence of anti-HEV IgG was demonstrated in 44.1% of pigs and 31.0% of wild boars. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 1.4% of samples from pigs and in 2.1% of samples from wild boars at borderline level. The statistical analysis shows significant differences in the positive results for anti-HEV IgG between the groups of pigs and wild boars (P = 0.0263). Conclusion: Regular surveillance of the occurrence of HEV in swine and wild boars should be performed in the future.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Hepatitis E Virus in Brazil: A One-Health Approach of the Human-Animal-Environment Triad

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2290
Author(s):  
Danny Franciele da Silva Dias Moraes ◽  
João R. Mesquita ◽  
Valéria Dutra ◽  
Maria São José Nascimento
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
One Health ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
The World ◽  
Waterborne Transmission ◽  
Sanitary Conditions

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world with diverse socioeconomic and sanitary conditions, also being the fourth largest pig producer in the world. The aim of the present systematic review was to collect and summarize all HEV published data from Brazil (from 1995 to October 2020) performed in humans, animals, and the environment, in a One Health perspective. A total of 2173 papers were retrieved from five search databases (LILACs, Mendeley, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) resulting in 71 eligible papers after application of exclusion/inclusion criteria. Data shows that HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) was the only retrieved genotype in humans, animals, and environment in Brazil. The South region showed the highest human seroprevalence and also the highest pig density and industry, suggesting a zoonotic link. HEV-1 and 2 were not detected in Brazil, despite the low sanitary conditions of some regions. From the present review we infer that HEV epidemiology in Brazil is similar to that of industrialized countries (only HEV-3, swine reservoirs, no waterborne transmission, no association with low sanitary conditions). Hence, we alert for the implementation of HEV surveillance systems in swine and for the consideration of HEV in the diagnostic routine of acute and chronic hepatitis in humans.

scholarly journals Cell Culture Isolation and Whole Genome Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus Strains from Wild Boars in Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2302
Author(s):  
Katja Schilling-Loeffler ◽  
Oliver Viera-Segura ◽  
Victor Max Corman ◽  
Julia Schneider ◽  
Ashish K. Gadicherla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Enriched Library ◽  
Genome Copy ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Copy Numbers ◽  
Cell Culture Isolation

Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. The HEV genotype 3 can be zoonotically transmitted from animals to humans, with wild boars representing an important reservoir species. Cell culture isolation of HEV is generally difficult and mainly described for human isolates so far. Here, five sera and five liver samples from HEV-RNA-positive wild boar samples were inoculated onto PLC/PRF/5 cells, incubated for 3 months and thereafter passaged for additional 6 weeks. As demonstrated by RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence and immune electron microscopy, virus was successfully isolated from two liver samples, which originally contained high HEV genome copy numbers. Both isolates showed slower growth than the culture-adapted HEV strain 47832c. In contrast to this strain, the isolated strains had no insertions in their hypervariable genome region. Next generation sequencing using an HEV sequence-enriched library enabled full genome sequencing. Strain Wb108/17 belongs to subtype 3f and strain Wb257/17 to a tentative novel subtype recently described in Italian wild boars. The results indicate that HEV can be successfully isolated in cell culture from wild boar samples containing high HEV genome copy numbers. The isolates may be used further to study the zoonotic potential of wild boar-derived HEV subtypes.

scholarly journals Identification of Hepatitis E Virus Genotypes 3 and 7 in Israel: A Public Health Concern?

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2326
Author(s):  
Rachel Shirazi ◽  
Paolo Pozzi ◽  
Yael Gozlan ◽  
Marina Wax ◽  
Yaniv Lustig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Chronic Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Dromedary Camel ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Isolation And Characterization

Background: Hepatitis E (HEV) is an emerging cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. Swine carrying hepatitis E genotype 3 (HEV-3) are responsible for the majority of chronic viral hepatitis cases in developed countries. Recently, genotype 7 (HEV-7), isolated from a dromedary camel in the United Arab Emirates, was also associated with chronic viral hepatitis in a transplant recipient. In Israel, chronic HEV infection has not yet been reported, although HEV seroprevalence in humans is ~10%. Camels and swine are >65% seropositive. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of HEV from local camels and swine. Methods: Sera from camels (n = 142), feces from swine (n = 18) and blood from patients suspected of hepatitis E (n = 101) were collected during 2017–2020 and used to detect and characterize HEV sequences. Results: HEV-3 isolated from local swine and the camel-derived HEV-7 sequence were highly similar to HEV-3f and HEV-7 sequences (88.2% and 86.4%, respectively) related to viral hepatitis. The deduced amino acid sequences of both isolates were also highly conserved (>98%). Two patients were HEV-RNA positive; acute HEV-1 infection could be confirmed in one of them. Discussion: The absence of any reported HEV-3 and HEV-7 infection in humans remains puzzling, especially considering the reported seroprevalence rates, the similarity between HEV sequences related to chronic hepatitis and the HEV genotypes identified in swine and camels in Israel.

scholarly journals Effect of Sodium Chloride, Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Nitrate on the Infectivity of Hepatitis E Virus

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Wolff ◽  
Taras Günther ◽  
Thiemo Albert ◽  
Reimar Johne
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Sodium Nitrite ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Sodium Nitrate ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
High Salt ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Raw Meat

Abstract Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can cause acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. The zoonotic HEV genotype 3, which is highly prevalent in Europe, is mainly transmitted by consumption of raw meat and raw meat products produced from infected pigs or wild boars. High salt concentrations represent an important measure to preserve meat products and to inactivate foodborne pathogens. Here, an HEV preparation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was subjected to different salt concentrations and the remaining infectivity was measured in a cell culture assay. Treatments with up to 20% sodium chloride for 24 h at 23 °C, with and without addition of 0.015% sodium nitrite or 0.03% sodium nitrate, did not lead to virus inactivation as compared to PBS only. Conditions usually applied for short-term and long-term fermented raw sausages were simulated by incubation at 22 °C for up to 6 days and at 16 °C for up to 8 weeks, respectively. Only 2% sodium chloride with 0.015% sodium nitrite showed a weak (< 1 log10), but significant, infectivity reduction after 2 and 4 days as compared to PBS only. Addition of 2% sodium chloride and 0.03% sodium nitrate showed a slight, but not significant, decrease in infectivity after 2 and 8 weeks as compared to PBS only. In conclusion, HEV is highly stable at high salt concentrations and at salt conditions usually applied to preserve raw meat products.

Pulmonary Histopathology in an Experimental Model of Chronic Aspiration Is Independent of Acidity

2008 ◽  
Vol 233 (10) ◽  
pp. 1202-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tacy E. Downing ◽  
Thomas A. Sporn ◽  
R. Randal Bollinger ◽  
R. Duane Davis ◽  
William Parker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Injury ◽  
Lung Diseases ◽  
Giant Cells ◽  
Gastric Fluid ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Pattern Of Injury ◽  
Primary Health

Gastroesophageal reflux has become a major health concern in industrialized countries, with drugs aimed at blocking acid production being more frequently prescribed than any other drug. Damage to lung tissue as a result of chronic aspiration of gastric fluid is a primary health risk associated with gastro-esophageal reflux, with such aspiration being suspected in the induction or exacerbation of asthma and other lung diseases. In this study, a rodent model of chronic aspiration was used to characterize the pulmonary histopathology produced by repetitive aspiration events and to investigate the pathologic roles of individual gastric fluid components such as acid and particulate food matter. Rats exposed to chronic aspiration of whole gastric fluid developed a pathology distinct from that of acute lung injury, characterized by granulomatous interstitial pneumonitis with prominent formation of multinucleated giant cells. This pattern of injury could be reproduced with chronic aspiration of particulate food matter and with chronic aspiration of pH-neutralized gastric fluid, but not with chronic aspiration of hydrochloric acid. Thus, since acid-neutralizing therapy is currently the mainstay of treatment for patients with reflux-associated respiratory symptoms, these results strongly suggest that alternative therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing chronic-aspiration induced lung injury may be warranted.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Dromedary Camel HEV in Domestic and Imported Camels from Saudi Arabia

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
Sherif Aly El-Kafrawy ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Hassan ◽  
Mai Mohamed El-Daly ◽  
Ishtiaq Qadri ◽  
Ahmed Majdi Tolah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
P Value ◽  
Contaminated Water ◽  
Dromedary Camel ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Major Health

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) imposes a major health concern in areas with very poor sanitation in Africa and Asia. The pathogen is transmitted mainly through ingesting contaminated water or food, coming into contact with affected people, and blood transfusions. Very few reports including old reports are available on the prevalence of HEV in Saudi Arabia in humans and no reports exist on HEV prevalence in camels. Dromedary camel trade and farming are increasing in Saudi Arabia with importation occurring unidirectionally from Africa to Saudi Arabia. DcHEV transmission to humans has been reported in one case from the United Arab Emeritus (UAE). This instigated us to perform this investigation of the seroprevalence of HEV in imported and domestic camels in Saudi Arabia. Serum samples were collected from imported and domestic camels. DcHEV-Abs were detected in collected sera using ELISA. The prevalence of DcHEV in the collected samples was 23.1% with slightly lower prevalence in imported camels than domestic camels (22.4% vs. 25.4%, p value = 0.3). Gender was significantly associated with the prevalence of HEV in the collected camels (p value = 0.015) where males (31.6%) were more infected than females (13.4%). This study is the first study to investigate the prevalence of HEV in dromedary camels from Saudi Arabia. The high seroprevalence of DcHEV in dromedaries might indicate their role as a zoonotic reservoir for viral infection to humans. Future HEV seroprevalence studies in humans are needed to investigate the role of DcHEV in the Saudi human population.

Epidemiology of Hepatitis E in England and Wales: A 10-Year Retrospective Surveillance Study, 2008–2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 220 (5) ◽  
pp. 802-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa Oeser ◽  
Aisling Vaughan ◽  
Bengü Said ◽  
Samreen Ijaz ◽  
Richard Tedder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Virus Genotype ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Severe Acute Hepatitis ◽  
Ongoing Surveillance

Abstract Indigenous, foodborne transmission of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV G3) has become recognized as an emerging problem in industrialized countries. Although mostly asymptomatic, HEV G3 infection has a range of outcomes, including mild illness, severe acute hepatitis, and, of particular concern, chronic progressive hepatitis in immunocompromised patients. Public Health England has monitored cases of acute HEV infection in England and Wales since 2003. Between 2010 and 2017, enhanced surveillance using 2 linked laboratory databases and questionnaires on clinical features and risk factors was conducted. There was a year-on-year increase in the number of infections from 2008 (183) through 2016 (1243). Then, in 2017, the number of infections declined (to 912). As reported previously, HEV G3 group 2 (also known as “G3 abcdhij”) is the predominant cause of acute infections, and older men are most at risk. Consumption of pork and pork products was significantly higher among patients than in the general population, but other previously reported associations, such as consumption of shellfish, were not observed. Ongoing surveillance is required to monitor future trends and changes in the epidemiology of the virus. The changing methods of animal husbandry and processing and distribution of animal products needs to be further investigated.

scholarly journals The Current Host Range of Hepatitis E Viruses

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott P Kenney
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
Human Specific

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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