Serological and Molecular Investigation of Swine Hepatitis E Virus in Pigs Raised in Southern Italy

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
pp. 2099-2102 ◽  
Author(s):  
NICOLA COSTANZO ◽  
ELEONORA SARNO ◽  
VINCENZO PERETTI ◽  
LUCIA CIAMBRONE ◽  
FRANCESCO CASALINUOVO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Viral Genomes ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Significant Difference

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 <6 months and 99 pigs >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 < 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.

scholarly journals Sero-Epidemiological Study of Hepatitis E Virus among Thalassemia as High Risk Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Jahrom, Southern, Iran

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdolreza Sotoodeh Jahromi ◽  
Abbas Ahmadi-vasmehjani ◽  
Hassan Zabetian ◽  
Hossein Hakimelahi ◽  
Alireza Yusefi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ig G

<p>Hepatitis E virus (HEV) could be cause of viral hepatitis in the developing countries and cause severe epidemics. According to other studies, blood transfusion as a probable route of HEV infection has been suggested. An infection with hepatitis agents such as HEV causes active liver failure in multi-transfusion patients in particular thalassemia. The purpose of this study determines the seropositivity of anti-HEV antibodies in thalassemia individuals in Jahrom. In a cross-sectional study, sera from 110 thalassemia were collected between 2013 and 2014. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was performed to detection of anti-HEV antibodies. Individuals’ data were collected such as, demographic and clinical, for statistical analysis. Our results show that 10% and 1.8% of the enrolled patients were HEV Ig-G and Ig-M positive antibodies respectively. In addition, there was statiscally significant difference in age groups for prevalence of anti-HEV Ig-G (P = 0.01). Also the serum levels of liver enzymes such as ALT and AST in the HEV Ig-G and Ig-M positive samples were significantly higher than anti-HEV negative samples. But there were no significant difference between sex and splenectomy with anti-HEV positive samples. The results indicate more study are needed to assess HEV screening of blood products to these patients that those have a probably risk of exposure to HEV especially in higher years old. </p>

scholarly journals First Report of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Sika Deer in China

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Xuan Zhang ◽  
Si-Yuan Qin ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Qing-Feng Meng ◽  
Jing Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Sika Deer ◽  
Cervus Nippon ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
First Report ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Family ◽  
Nonenveloped Virus

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.

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Area ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Serological Screening ◽  
Domestic Species ◽  
Host Reservoir

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.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Hepatitis E virus infection in patients screened for Hepatitis A virus

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-202
Author(s):  
Anup Kumar Shetty ◽  
Jeshma Crasta Kannur
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Infectious Hepatitis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Serum Samples

: 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.

scholarly journals Detection and Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus in Goats at Slaughterhouse in Tai’an Region, China

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song Li ◽  
Mingxia Liu ◽  
Jingjing Cong ◽  
Yufa Zhou ◽  
Zengmin Miao
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Genotype 4 ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Open Reading Frame 2

Background. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a significant pathogen of viral hepatitis and can be transmitted through fecal-oral route. Epidemiological data concerning HEV in goats, however, are relatively sparse to date. Here, the prevalence and characteristics of HEV isolated from goats at slaughterhouse were investigated in Tai’an region, China. Methods. Anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) in blood samples and HEV RNA in the liver samples were determined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. In addition, partial nucleotide sequences of open reading frame 2 (ORF-2) of HEV isolates were analyzed. Results. Fifty goat blood samples (46.7%, 50/120) were masculine for anti-HEV IgG. HEV RNA was detected in 2 liver samples (4.0%, 2/50) and belonged to genotype 4 subtype 4 h, with high identity (91.2–93%) with cow HEV strains detected in the same province, China. Conclusions. These findings demonstrated that goats may be an important reservoir for HEV and can become a major source of HEV infection in humans via food chain.

scholarly journals Identification and genetic diversity of hepatitis E virus in domestic swine from Slovakia

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Jackova ◽  
Katarina Dudasova ◽  
Slavomira Salamunova ◽  
Rene Mandelik ◽  
Jaroslav Novotny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Major Clade ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Production Stages ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
Domestic Swine

Abstract Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is agent causing hepatitis worldwide. Originally considered to be limited to developing countries, this virus was also detected in developed countries. In recent years an increasing number of reports indicate that farmed domestic pigs are widely infected with HEV in several European countries. The HEV status in Slovakia is still missing. Results In this study, the circulation of HEV among domestic swine in Slovakia and genetic diversity of the virus was studied. Overall HEV RNA was detected in 53/388 (13.7, 95% CI: 10.40–17.48%) pig rectal swabs in five production stages (age categories) with statistically significant differences among all the stages. The highest HEV prevalence was observed in weaners 24/81 (29.6, 95% CI: 19.99–40.81%) and then significantly declined in growers and fatteners. No HEV was detected in suckling piglets and sows. Twenty-eight partial sequences of ORF1 (242 bp) and seventeen of ORF2 (304 bp) were analysed. Phylogenetic analysis and p-distance comparisons confirmed in both ORFs that all Slovak HEV sequences belong to the genotype HEV-3, major clade 3abchij with higher identity to 3a and 3i subtypes. Three sequences were outside of all lastly updated HEV-3 subtypes. Conclusion This is the first report to fill the information gap about HEV infection in pigs in Slovakia. The results suggested a lower prevalence of HEV in Slovak pig farms than observed in other European countries. While most HEV isolates were typed as HEV-3 clade 3abchij, three sequences were unclassified.

scholarly journals First Report of Hepatitis E Virus in Shellfish in Southeast Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Gianfranco La Bella ◽  
Maria Grazia Basanisi ◽  
Gaia Nobili ◽  
Valentina Terio ◽  
Elisabetta Suffredini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Apulia Region ◽  
Causative Agents

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) represents one of the principal causative agents of hepatitis globally. Among the five HEV genotypes affecting humans, genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic and are the main source of hepatitis E in developed countries. HEV has been detected in several foods. The present work investigated the presence of this virus in shellfish sold at retail in the Apulia region of Italy. The presence of HEV RNA was assessed by real-time RT-PCR in 225 shellfish samples collected during 2018. Overall, two (0.89%) of these samples tested positive for HEV RNA. To our knowledge, this is the first notification of the detection of HEV in mussels sold at retail in the Apulia region. These data highlight the potential role of shellfish as a vehicle for the transmission of viral pathogens.

Detection and characterisation of hepatitis E virus in naturally infected swine in Croatia

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Lipej ◽  
Dinko Novosel ◽  
Lea Vojta ◽  
Besi Roić ◽  
Miljenko Šimpraga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Animal Reservoir ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Swine Herds ◽  
Bile Samples

Hepatitis E is a viral zoonotic disease infecting swine worldwide. Since pigs represent a likely animal reservoir for the hepatitis E virus, the epidemiology of naturally occurring hepatitis E was investigated in Croatian swine herds. Nearly all tested animals were seropositive for antibodies against the hepatitis E virus (55/60, 91.7%). Active infection was detected in all age groups by RT-PCR of viral RNA in serum (8/60, 13.3%) and bile samples (3/37, 8.1%), which was further confirmed by histopathological findings of characteristic lesions in the livers of the infected animals. Three new strains of hepatitis E virus were isolated from Croatian pig herds. Phylogenetic analysis using median-joining networks clustered those Croatian strains with isolates from various parts of the world, indicating their likely origin in international trade. Similarity to human isolates implies a zoonotic potential of Croatian strains, which raises a public health concern, especially in the light of the high prevalence of hepatitis E in the herds studied.

scholarly journals Hepatitis E Virus Immunopathogenesis

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1180
Author(s):  
Kush Kumar Yadav ◽  
Scott P. Kenney
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Oral Route ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Transplant Patients

Hepatitis E virus is an important emerging pathogen producing a lethal impact on the pregnant population and immunocompromised patients. Starting in 1983, it has been described as the cause for acute hepatitis transmitted via the fecal–oral route. However, zoonotic and blood transfusion transmission of HEV have been reported in the past few decades, leading to the detailed research of HEV pathogenesis. The reason behind HEV being highly virulent to the pregnant population particularly during the third trimester, leading to maternal and fetal death, remains unknown. Various host factors (immunological, nutritional, hormonal) and viral factors have been studied to define the key determinants assisting HEV to be virulent in pregnant and immunocompromised patients. Similarly, chronic hepatitis is seen particularly in solid organ transplant patients, resulting in fatal conditions. This review describes recent advances in the immunopathophysiology of HEV infections in general, pregnant, and immunocompromised populations, and further elucidates the in vitro and in vivo models utilized to understand HEV pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Viral hepatitis E: A disease of humans and animals

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 449-462
Author(s):  
Branislav Kureljusic ◽  
Vojin Ivetic ◽  
Bozidar Savic ◽  
Jasna Kureljusic ◽  
Nemanja Jezdimirovic
Keyword(s):  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Oral Transmission ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Pig Farms ◽  
The Usa

The hepatitis E virus is ubiquitous in all parts of the world where pig production exists. The infection occurs in several animal species and its course is mostly asymptomatic. Viral strains isolated from pigs and humans are genetically similar, which indicates a potential zoonotic nature of the disease, and the possibility that pigs, and perhaps also other species of animals diseased with viral hepatitis E are a source of infection to humans. The pig hepatitis E virus, which is similar to the hepatitis E virus in humans, was isolated and described for the first time in the USA in 1997. The infection of pigs with hepatitis E virus occurs through faeco-oral transmission, by ingestion of feed and water contaminated with the virus, or through direct contact between infected and healthy animals. The pathogenesis of this infection in pigs differs from its pathogenesis in humans and it has not been sufficiently examined in all its aspects. Even though viral hepatitis E in pigs has been described as a subclinical disease, some authors describe changes in the concentration of certain biochemical parameters in blood serum of the infected pigs. Histologically, a mild to moderate lymphotic-plasma cellular infiltration is observed in livers of infected pigs, as well as focal areas of hepatocyte necrosis. Viral hepatitis E is an endemic disease of humans in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In developed countries, hepatitis E sporadically occurs in humans, but it is becoming of increasing importance in particular in Japan, North America, and Europe, because the populations of these areas travel extensively to the endemic regions or as a result of the consumption of thermally untreated meat of wild boar and products made from thermally untreated meat. Pork products can be contaminated with hepatitis E virus. Further proof that indicates the zoonotic potential of this virus and places this diseases among the group of professional diseases of farmers and veterinarians is the finding of antibodies to hepatitis E virus in farmers and veterinarians who work on pig farms without showing any clinical signs of the disease. Having in mind the fact that viral hepatitis E has been proven in pig farms in Serbia and neighboruign countries, there should be strict respect of biosecutiry measures from the episootiological and epidemiological aspects, and the principle of good production and hygiene practice should be adhered to on pig farms. This disease should in future also be included in the legal regulations of our country in order to ensure the production of products of animal origin that are safe from the aspect of hygiene.

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