scholarly journals Wild Boar as a Sylvatic Reservoir of Hepatitis E Virus in Poland: A Cross-Sectional Population Study

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1113
Author(s):  
Iwona Kozyra ◽  
Artur Jabłoński ◽  
Ewelina Bigoraj ◽  
Artur Rzeżutka
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Molecular Assessment

The most important wildlife species in the epidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are wild boars, which are also the main reservoir of the virus in a sylvatic environment. The aim of the study was a serological and molecular assessment of the prevalence of HEV infections in wild boars in Poland. In total, 470 pairs of samples (wild boar blood and livers) and 433 samples of faeces were tested. An ELISA (ID.vet, France) was used for serological analysis. For the detection of HEV RNA, real-time (RT)-qPCR was employed. The presence of specific anti-HEV IgG antibodies was found in 232 (49.4%; 95%CI: 44.7–54%) sera, with regional differences observed in the seroprevalence of infections. HEV RNA was detected in 57 (12.1%, 95%CI: 9.3–15.4%) livers and in 27 (6.2%, 95%CI: 4.1–8.9%) faecal samples, with the viral load ranging from 1.4 to 1.7 × 1011 G.C./g and 38 to 9.3 × 107 G.C./mL, respectively. A correlation between serological and molecular results of testing of wild boars infected with HEV was shown. HEV infections in wild boars appeared to be common in Poland.

scholarly journals Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Hyalomma lusitanicum Ticks Feeding on Wild Boars

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Rivero-Juarez ◽  
María A. Risalde ◽  
Christian Gortázar ◽  
Pedro Lopez-Lopez ◽  
Jose A. Barasona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Zoonotic Viruses ◽  
First Time

Little is known about the role of ticks in maintaining highly prevalent zoonotic viruses in wildlife, such as hepatitis E virus (HEV), which do not require ticks for transmission between animals and humans. In this cross-sectional study, adult female ticks were collected from Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) in autumn 2015 in Spain. HEV RNA in both ticks and wild boar was evaluated by RT-qPCR. Twenty-nine adult Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks were collected from 29 wild boars. HEV RNA was detected in a total of 10 tick (34.4%) and 11 wild boar serum samples (37.9%). In two cases, detectable HEV RNA was found in a wild boar but not in the tick collected from them. In contrast, one HEV-positive tick was collected from an HEV-negative wild boar. All viral sequences were consistent with genotype 3f. We describe for the first time the presence of HEV RNA in adult Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks.

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 Geographical restriction of Hepatitis E virus circulation in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Bonardi ◽  
Virginia Filipello ◽  
Enrico Pavoni ◽  
Valentina Carta ◽  
Luca Bolzoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Hunting Season ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Emilia Romagna Region

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a singlestrand RNA virus that causes an acute viral hepatitis in humans. Among its eight recognized genotypes, HEV-3 and HEV-4 are zoonotic, infecting humans, pigs and wild boars. Recently, HEV-3 has been also detected in red deer, which represents another reservoir of HEV. Consumption of raw pork products (mainly liver sausages), undercooked wild boar meat, raw wild boar liver and deer meat has been responsible for foodborne HEV human worldwide. From November 2018 to March 2019, liver samples collected from 97 wild boars hunted in Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) were tested for HEV RNA. The hunting area included two territories for an extension of 33 km2, named A (about 13 km2, natural park, deciduous wood) and B (about 20 km2, cultivated fields in proximity of a river) areas. Distance between the two areas ranged between 8 to 10 km. A total of 73 wild boars were hunted in area A, and 24 in area B. HEV RNA was detected by Realtime RT–PCR in 23/73 liver samples of wild boars living in area A only (31.5% - 95% CI: 22.0-42.8%). The HEV sequences (n=13) clustered within genotype 3. The majority of positives belonged to animals < 12 months (12/25; 48%), followed by subadults (13-24 months) (7/16; 43.8%) and adults (4/32; 12.5%). This difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0024). In absence of pig farms, the restriction of HEV-positive animals to a well-defined territory of 13 km2 (Boschi di Carrega Regional Park) could hypothetically be related to the presence of red deer (Cervus elaphus), which lived in area A at the beginning of the hunting season. Further studies are needed to confirm or deny our hypothesis.

scholarly journals Wild boars as sources for infectious diseases in livestock and humans

2009 ◽  
Vol 364 (1530) ◽  
pp. 2697-2707 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. J. Meng ◽  
D. S. Lindsay ◽  
N. Sriranganathan
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Classical Swine Fever ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Suburban Areas ◽  
Wild Boar Meat ◽  
Human Habitation

Wild boars ( Sus scrofa ) are indigenous in many countries in the world. These free-living swine are known reservoirs for a number of viruses, bacteria and parasites that are transmissible to domestic animals and humans. Changes of human habitation to suburban areas, increased use of lands for agricultural purposes, increased hunting activities and consumption of wild boar meat have increased the chances of exposure of wild boars to domestic animals and humans. Wild boars can act as reservoirs for many important infectious diseases in domestic animals, such as classical swine fever, brucellosis and trichinellosis, and in humans, diseases such as hepatitis E, tuberculosis, leptospirosis and trichinellosis. For examples, wild boars are reservoirs for hepatitis E virus, and cluster cases of hepatitis E have been reported in Japan of humans who consumed wild boar meat. In Canada, an outbreak of trichinellosis was linked to the consumption of wild boar meat. The incidence of tuberculosis owing to Mycobacterium bovis has increased in wild boars, thus posing a potential concern for infections in livestock and humans. It has also been documented that six hunters contracted Brucella suis infections from wild swine in Florida. This article discusses the prevalence and risk of infectious agents in wild boars and their potential transmission to livestock and humans.

scholarly journals Hepatitis E Virus among Animal Handlers and Non-Animal Handlers in Osun State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 35-48
Author(s):  
I. R. Gidado ◽  
F. A. Osundare ◽  
I. O. Okonko ◽  
O. O. Opaleye
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Biology Laboratory ◽  
Animal Handlers

Aim: Increase in the epidemiological information is important for effective control of hepatitis E virus (HEV). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HEV among butchers, pig handlers and non-animal handlers in Osun State, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Molecular Biology Laboratory, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Isale Osun, Osogbo, Nigeria, between June 2015 and July 2019. Methods: A total of 180 blood samples were obtained and screened for HEV from cohorts of 90 animal handlers (69 butchers and 21 pig handlers) and 90 non-animal handlers. Questionnaires on HEV were administered to obtain a demographic characteristic of the participants. Anti-hepatitis E viruses were also screened using HEV ELISA kit. Results: Results showed an overall prevalence of HEV to be 21.7%. The rate of anti-HEV IgG/IgM antibodies was higher among butchers (27.5%), followed by non-animal handlers (18.9%) and was least among the pig handlers (14.3%) while the two IgM positive persons were butchers and non-animal handlers. However, 39(21.7%) of the 180 samples were positive for either anti-HEV IgG antibodies (37/180, 20.6%) or anti-HEV IgM (2/180, 1.1%). Also, the rate of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was higher among butchers (26.1%), followed by non-animal handlers (17.8%) and the pig handlers (14.3%) had the least. The two IgM positive persons were butchers (1.4%), non-animal handlers (1.1%) and pig handlers had a zero prevalence. There was no statistical significance in the prevalence of HEV IgG and HEV IgM in animal handlers as compared to non-animal handlers (P > 0.05). One (1.4%) of the butchers and 1 (1.1%) of non-animal handlers showed evidence of recent HEV infection by being positive to HEV IgM. Sources of drinking water were the only HEV predisposition factor for HEV (P =0.023). Conclusion: This study reported an acute HEV infection in a butcher and a non-animal handler in Osun State, Nigeria. No prevalence rates of acute HEV infection was observed among pig handlers in Osun State, Nigeria. The study also showed a low prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies among these study populations. Proper hygiene is recommended for further reduction in HEV transmission in Nigeria. Aim: Increase in the epidemiological information is important for effective control of hepatitis E virus (HEV). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HEV among butchers, pig handlers and non-animal handlers in Osun State, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Molecular Biology Laboratory, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Isale Osun, Osogbo, Nigeria, between June 2015 and July 2019. Methods: A total of 180 blood samples were obtained and screened for HEV from cohorts of 90 animal handlers (69 butchers and 21 pig handlers) and 90 non-animal handlers. Questionnaires on HEV were administered to obtain a demographic characteristic of the participants. Anti-hepatitis E viruses were also screened using HEV ELISA kit. Results: Results showed an overall prevalence of HEV to be 21.7%. The rate of anti-HEV IgG/IgM antibodies was higher among butchers (27.5%), followed by non-animal handlers (18.9%) and was least among the pig handlers (14.3%) while the two IgM positive persons were butchers and non-animal handlers. However, 39(21.7%) of the 180 samples were positive for either anti-HEV IgG antibodies (37/180, 20.6%) or anti-HEV IgM (2/180, 1.1%). Also, the rate of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was higher among butchers (26.1%), followed by non-animal handlers (17.8%) and the pig handlers (14.3%) had the least. The two IgM positive persons were butchers (1.4%), non-animal handlers (1.1%) and pig handlers had a zero prevalence. There was no statistical significance in the prevalence of HEV IgG and HEV IgM in animal handlers as compared to non-animal handlers (P > 0.05). One (1.4%) of the butchers and 1 (1.1%) of non-animal handlers showed evidence of recent HEV infection by being positive to HEV IgM. Sources of drinking water were the only HEV predisposition factor for HEV (P =0.023). Conclusion: This study reported an acute HEV infection in a butcher and a non-animal handler in Osun State, Nigeria. No prevalence rates of acute HEV infection was observed among pig handlers in Osun State, Nigeria. The study also showed a low prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies among these study populations. Proper hygiene is recommended for further reduction in HEV transmission in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Food Safety Risks Associated with Hepatitis E Virus Detection in Wild Boar Liver

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Adriana ANITA ◽  
Daniela POREA ◽  
Andreea COZMA ◽  
Dragos ANITA ◽  
Gheorghe SAVUTA
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Virus Genotype ◽  
Hunting Season ◽  
Safety Control ◽  
Wild Boars

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has significantly impacted humans due to its potential to cause acute viral hepatitis. Discovery of hepatitis E virus in domestic pigs and wild boars worldwide and the realization that it is highly prevalent, raised concerns of the implications for food-borne transmission of HEV in Europe. Present work focusses on molecular detection of hepatitis E virus in wild boar liver samples, underlining the possible role of wildlife as a source of HEV transmission to humans. During hunting season 2016-2017, liver samples were collected from 37 wild boars in Iași and Suceava County. All tissues samples were submitted for RNA isolation followed by nested RT-PCR. Genetic characterization of wild boar HEV targeted the structural gene in the ORF2 region of hepatitis E virus genome. After specific amplification by nested RT-PCR of a 348 nt fragment from HEV ORF2, five liver samples positive for hepatitis E virus genotype 3 RNA were identified. In the present study HEV detection in Romanian fresh liver from wild boars highlights the importance of swine as a possible source of foodborne transmission. Moreover, our results along with the reviewed literature data emphasize the necessity of efficient food safety control measures implementation.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis E virus in humans, pigs and wild boars in Sweden

2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. WIDÉN ◽  
L. SUNDQVIST ◽  
A. MATYI-TOTH ◽  
G. METREVELI ◽  
S. BELÁK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Tree ◽  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Wild Boars ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Unknown Source ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Pig Farms ◽  
Close Relatedness

SUMMARYHepatitis E infections in humans are usually acquired in endemic countries in Asia or Africa. In Sweden 17 cases infected in Europe, between 1993 and 2009, were identified. All had clinical hepatitis E with unknown source of infection. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was identified in faecal samples from 63 piglets in 12 pig farms in Sweden. HEV was also identified in blood from 13 out of 159 investigated Swedish wild boars from nine counties. Partial HEV genomes from humans, pigs and wild boars were sequenced and compared by phylogeny. The results showed close relatedness between HEV strains from piglets from the same farm and from wild boars from the same county. HEV strains from humans showed relatedness with strains from pigs and wild boars from the same county. This study showed that HEV strains form geographical clusters in the phylogenetic tree. The methods used in this study may thus be used for tracing the origin of an infecting strain. Furthermore, this study indicated that there are endemic sources of human HEV infections in Sweden.

scholarly journals Maternal and newborn seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus at Medani Hospital, Sudan

F1000Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Eltayeb ◽  
Gasim I. Gasim ◽  
Elhassan M. Elhassan ◽  
Halla Abdullahi ◽  
Duria A. Rayis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Result ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maternal And Newborn

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can lead to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes and is a risk for mortality in pregnant women.  There are few published data on the seroepidemiology of HEV infection in pregnant women and none are available from Sudan specifically. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the seroepidemiology of anti-HEV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in mothers and newborns in Medani Hospital, Sudan. Socio-demographic, clinical and obstetric characteristics of the women were gathered using questionnaires. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were investigated in the paired maternal and newborn sera using an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Two hundred and nine women were enrolled to the study. The mean (SD) of their age, parity and gestational age was 27.5 (5.5) years, 2.2(1.5) and 38.8 (1.8) weeks, respectively. Out of these 209, 25 (12.5%) women had a positive result for anti-HEV IgG and two (1.0%) newborns had a positive result for anti-HEV IgG.In logistic regression none of the investigated factors (age, parity, gestational age, residency and education) were associated with anti-HEV IgG seropositivity. There is a high seroprevalence of HEV among pregnant women in central Sudan regardless of their age, parity and gestational age. Optimal preventive measures against HEV infection should be employed.

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.

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