Induction of antibody and interferon-γ production in mice immunized with virus-like particles of swine hepatitis E virus

The core antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBcAg) is capable of self-assembly into virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in a number of heterologous systems. Such VLPs are potential carriers of foreign antigenic sequences for vaccine design. In this study, we evaluated the production of chimeric HBcAg VLPs presenting a foreign epitope on their surface, the 551–607 amino acids (aa) immunological epitope of the ORF2 capsid protein of hepatitis E virus. A chimeric construct was made by the insertion of 56 aa into the immunodominant loop of the HBcAg. The sequences encoding the chimera were inserted into the pEAQ-HT vector and infiltrated into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The plant-expressed chimeric HBcHEV ORF2 551–607 protein was recognized by an anti-HBcAg mAb and anti-HEV IgG positive swine serum. Electron microscopy showed that plant-produced chimeric protein spontaneously assembled into “knobbly” ~34 nm diameter VLPs. This study shows that HBcAg is a promising carrier platform for the neutralizing epitopes of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and the chimeric HBcAg/HEV VLPs could be a candidate for a bivalent vaccine.

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Seasonal pattern of hepatitis E virus prevalence in swine in two different geographical areas of China

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268813000113 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 141 (11) ◽

pp. 2403-2409 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Y. H. LU ◽

H. Z. QIAN ◽

A. Q. HU ◽

X. QIN ◽

Q. W. JIANG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis E Virus ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

Eastern China ◽

Geographical Area ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Southwestern China ◽

Seasonal Patterns ◽

Virus Prevalence ◽

Swine Hepatitis ◽

A Minor

SUMMARYWe studied seasonal patterns of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in China. From 2008 to 2011, 4200 swine bile specimens were collected for the detection of HEV RNA. A total of 92/2400 (3·83%) specimens in eastern China and 47/1800 (2·61%) specimens in southwestern China were positive for HEV. Seasonal patterns differing by geographical area were suggested. In eastern China, the major peak of HEV RNA prevalence was during March–April, with a minor peak during September–October, and a dip during July–August. In southwestern China, the peak was during September–October and the dip during March–April. The majority of subtype 4a cases (63/82, 76·83%) were detected in the first half of the year, while the majority of subtype 4b cases (26/29, 89·66%) were concentrated in the second half of the year, suggesting that different subtypes contribute to different peaks. Our results indicate that the distribution of HEV subtypes is associated with seasonal patterns.

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Experimental infection of mongolian gerbils by a genotype 4 strain of swine hepatitis E virus

Journal of Medical Virology ◽

10.1002/jmv.21573 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 81 (9) ◽

pp. 1591-1596 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Wengui Li ◽

Quan Sun ◽

Ruiping She ◽

Decheng Wang ◽

Xinhui Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Experimental Infection ◽

Hepatitis E Virus ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Mongolian Gerbils ◽

Genotype 4 ◽

Swine Hepatitis

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Detection of Human Food-Borne and Zoonotic Viruses on Irrigated, Field-Grown Strawberries

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.00251-12 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 78 (10) ◽

pp. 3763-3766 ◽

Cited By ~ 110

Author(s):

Julie Brassard ◽

Marie-Josée Gagné ◽

Mylène Généreux ◽

Caroline Côté

Keyword(s):

Irrigation Water ◽

Hepatitis E Virus ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Human Food ◽

Food Borne ◽

Zoonotic Viruses ◽

Swine Hepatitis

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated the presence of pathogenic human and zoonotic viruses on irrigated, field-grown strawberries. Norovirus genogroup I, rotavirus, and swine hepatitis E virus genogroup 3 were detected on strawberries, and irrigation water is suspected as the contamination origin.

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