Journal
PATHOGENS
Volume 11, Issue 7, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070773
Keywords
Hepeviridae; genotype; HEV-3; subtype; reservoir; transmission; One Health
Categories
Funding
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut within the German One Health Initiative [HR-0019]
- Project Vaccine to inhibit Autochtonous transmission of Hepatitis E (VaccInATE) [Ri-0907]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Hepatitis E is a major cause of acute liver disease in humans worldwide, and it is primarily transmitted in Europe through zoonotic foodborne transmission from domestic pigs, wild boar, rabbits, and deer. This study investigated pig and wild boar samples collected in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany in 2019, and found a high, but varying prevalence of HEV RNA in these animals. The study highlights the importance of establishing sustainable surveillance and treatment strategies at the interface between humans, animals, and the environment to prevent foodborne HEV infection.
Hepatitis E is a major cause of acute liver disease in humans worldwide. The infection is caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) which is transmitted in Europe to humans primarily through zoonotic foodborne transmission from domestic pigs, wild boar, rabbits, and deer. HEV belongs to the family Hepeviridae, and possesses a positive-sense, single stranded RNA genome. This agent usually causes an acute self-limited infection in humans, but in people with low immunity, e.g., immunosuppressive therapy or underlying liver diseases, the infection can evolve to chronicity and is able to induce a variety of extrahepatic manifestations. Pig and wild boar have been identified as the primary animal reservoir in Europe, and consumption of raw and undercooked pork is known to pose a potential risk of foodborne HEV infection. In this study, we analysed pig and wild boar liver, faeces, and muscle samples collected in 2019 in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, north-east Germany. A total of 393 animals of both species were investigated using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), conventional nested RT-PCR and sequence analysis of amplification products. In 33 animals, HEV RNA was detected in liver and/or faeces. In one individual, viral RNA was detected in muscle tissue. Sequence analysis of a partial open reading frame 1 region demonstrated a broad variety of genotype 3 (HEV-3) subtypes. In conclusion, the study demonstrates a high, but varying prevalence of HEV RNA in swine populations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The associated risk of foodborne HEV infection needs the establishment of sustainable surveillance and treatment strategies at the interface between humans, animals, and the environment within a One Health framework.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available