First Serological Evidence on Endemicity of HEV Infection in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Populations from Portugal (original) (raw)
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Prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in wild boars from Spain: a possible seasonal pattern?
BMC veterinary research, 2018
It has been shown that wildlife can serve as natural reservoirs of hepatitis E virus (HEV). The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is probably the main natural reservoir of HEV and could therefore represent an important route of transmission in Europe, especially in regions where game meat is widely consumed. We evaluated the prevalence of HEV infection in wild boar in the south of Spain, with the aim of identifying associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study that included hunted wild boar was carried out during the 2015/2016 hunting season (October 15 to February 15) in Andalusia (southern Spain). The outcome variable was HEV infection, defined as amplification of HEV RNA in serum by RT-PCR. A total of 142 animals, selected from 12 hunting areas, were included and formed the study population. Thirty-three wild boars (23.2%; 95% CI: 16.8%-30.7%) were positive for HEV infection. Prevalence peaked in October and November, then gradually declined until the end of December. After multivariate ...
Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2015
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a member of the genus Hepevirus within the family Hepeviridae. Hepatitis E is recognized as a zoonosis, and swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa) are known reservoirs of HEV infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of HEV in wild boars and hunters exposed to infection in central Italy (Latium region). During the hunting season, blood samples were collected from 228 wild boars and 20 hunters. The seroprevalence of HEV infection was determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, previously validated for use in man, pigs and wild boars. The estimated HEV seroprevalence in wild boars and in hunters was 40.7% (93/228; 95% confidence interval [CI] 34.4e47.1%) and 25% (5/20; 95% CI 6.1e43.9%), respectively. Liver samples were collected from the boars and HEV RNA was detected by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Fifty-five of 164 tested wild boar liver samples (33.5%; 95% CI 26.2e40.7%) and three of 20 (15.0%; 95% CI 1.3e28.7%) tested human serum samples were positive for HEV RNA. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences obtained from PCR products indicated that the HEV strains present in wild boars and the human population all belonged to genotype 3, supporting the zoonotic role of wild boars in the spread of HEV infection.
Epidemiological study of hepatitis E virus infection in European wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Spain
Veterinary Microbiology, 2008
33 Evidence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Spanish domestic pig has been reported and 34 hence it was advisable to search for this zoonotic pathogen in wild boar populations. A total 35 of 150 wild boar serum samples from 8 geographic areas from South-Central Spain were used 36 to investigate HEV infection in European wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Spain by means of 37 serology and PCR and its distribution by age, region and management system. Anti-HEV IgG, 38 IgM and IgA were determined by an in-house ELISA. The overall seroprevalence was 42.7% 39 (range 30.63%-55.65%) and 19.6% (range 13.53%-27.40%) of the animals tested positive for 40 HEV RNA. Wild boar sequences were clustered within the genotype 3. This is the first 41 description of HEV infection in Spanish wild boar and the results obtained may suggest a 42 possible role of wild boar as a HEV reservoir for both domestic animals and humans. 43 44
Molecular survey of HEV infection in wild boar population in Italy
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2018
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an RNA virus causing an acute generally self-limited disease in humans. An increasing number of autochthonous cases linked to zoonotic transmission of HEV genotype 3 have been reported over the last years in Europe. Pigs and wild boars are considered the main reservoirs. The principal route of transmission in Europe is foodborne, linked by direct or indirect evidence to the consumption of raw or undercooked pork products and wild boar meat. In this study, we sampled 92 wild boar (Sus scrofa) livers during active surveillance in five municipalities in Central Italy throughout the hunting season 2016-2017. HEV RNA was detected in 52.2% of liver sampled with prevalence ranging from 0.0% to 65.7%. HEV positive wild boars were detected in all but one area of hunting. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strains clustered within the two subtypes HEV-3c and HEV-3f and displayed a wide range of phylogenetic diversity. Several strains were circulating in the areas investigated; animals possibly belonging to the same family group hunted by the same team were infected with a unique strain (100% nucleotide identity). Since wild animals are a proven source of HEV transmission to humans and pigs, the high prevalence observed (mean 52.2%) poses a question on the risk of consuming wild boar meat and thus this subject deserves further investigations.
Hepatitis E virus detection in hunted wild boar (Sus scrofa) livers in Central Italy
Italian Journal of Food Safety
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen, responsible for numerous cases of infection in humans. Transmission occurs through the orofecal route, and ingestion of contaminated foods represents an important risk factor for final consumer’s health. Wild animal species, in particular wild boar (Sus scrofa), are the main virus reservoirs; liver is the target organ, from which, through the hematic diffusion, HEV reaches different tissues and organs, as muscular one. The hygienic-sanitary critical issues connected with game meat food chain in general, and particularly wild boar, with special regards to any geographical area where this animal species can be directly in contact with humans, domestic ones (i.e., domestic pig), and other wild reservoirs (i.e., wild ruminants), finds favorable environmental conditions, have induced us to conduce the present scientific investigation. During the hunting season 2019/2020, a total of 156 wild boar livers were collected from provided plucks at...
Food Microbiology, 2019
Hepatitis E is an emerging disease in industrialized countries. The food-borne transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is associated principally with products derived from the domestic pig, the wild boar, and deer; however, few quantitative data are available on HEV loads in animals used in food production. This study assessed HEV occurrence, viral load and genetic variability in wild boar hunted for domestic consumption in the district of Viterbo (Central Italy) where high anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence values are reported in humans. A total of 332 liver and 69 intestine samples were obtained from wild boar hunted between 2011 and 2014. The liver tissue in 54 of the animals (16.3%) was HEV-positive. Viral loads in quantifiable liver samples (n=29) ranged between 3.2×10 2 and 3.8×10 5 genome copies (g.c.)/g with a mean value of 1.85×10 4 g.c./g. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between viral concentration in liver and intestinal tissue, though mean viral load in the intestines was lower (3.13×10 3 g.c./g). Twenty-six samples were characterized molecularly as genotype 3 (G3) and four subtypes (a, c, f and l) were detected. Finally, twelve samples with near identical sequences were identified as G3 but could not be assigned to any of the known subtypes, and could therefore represent a potentially new subtype.
High HEV presence in four different wild boar populations in East and West Germany
Veterinary Microbiology, 2009
Swine Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can be transmitted from pigs to humans causing hepatitis. A high prevalence of HEV in wild boar populations is reported for several European countries, but actual data for Germany are missing. During the hunting season from October to December 2007 liver, bile and blood samples were collected from wild boars in four different German regions. The samples were tested for HEV RNA by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and anti-HEV IgG antibodies by two different ELISAs and a Line immunoassay. A seroprevalence of 29.9% using ELISA and 26.2% in the Line immunoassay was determined. The seroprevalence rate varied greatly within the analysed regions. However, qPCR analysis revealed a higher prevalence of 68.2% positive animals with regional differences. Surprisingly, also adult wild sows and wild boars were highly HEV positive by qPCR. Compared to liver and serum samples, bile samples showed a higher rate of positive qPCR results. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of a 969 nt fragment within ORF 2 revealed that all isolates clustered within genotype 3 but differed in the subtype depending on the hunting spot. Isolates clustered within genotypes 3i, 3h, 3f and 3e. Within one population HEV isolates were closely related, but social groups of animals in close proximity might be infected with different subtypes. Two full-length genomes of subtypes 3i and 3e from two different geographic regions were generated. The wild boar is discussed as one of the main sources of human autochthonous infections in Germany.
Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. Veterinary Medicine, 2016
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causal agent of the hepatitis E transmitted primarily via the faecal-oral route. HEV belongs to the family Hepeviridae, with HEV strains isolated from human and swine classified into the Orthohepevirus genus Orthohepevirus A species. The disease is considered as an emerging zoonosis with worldwide distribution based on recent advances showing that HEV strains circulating in domestic and wild pigs are genetically related to strains identified in autochthonous human cases. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of HEV in wild boar from Galaţi and Buzău counties, as a preliminary stage of the evaluation of the HEV distribution in wild boar population completed by molecular identification and characterization Serum samples were collected from 68 wild boars during the hunting season, between December 2014 and February 2015, in 33 hunting funds from two Romanian Counties: Galați and Buzău. For serological analysis all samples were tested using a commercially available HEV antibody assay: ID Screen® Hepatitis E Indirect Multispecies ELISA kit (IDVet Diagnostics, France). HEV antibodies have been detected in 7 out of 68 serums, representing an overall prevalence of 10.29%. Seropositive animals were identified in both counties, respectively 3 out of 30 (10%) for Buzău County and 4 out of 38 (10.52%) in Galați County. The prevalence rates determined in this study are comparable to those determined in other European Countries. Our results provided premises to investigate the hepatitis E virus presence in Romanian wild boar as well as in other wild animals, which are considered as potential HEV reservoirs.
2015
23 Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations are increasing in the Iberian Peninsula, and 24 population management must include disease management and control. In this 25 study, the epidemiology of ten selected pathogens (Aujeszky’s disease virus 26 ADV-, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus -PRRSV-, porcine 27 influenza virus, porcine circovirus, porcine parvovirus, Erysipelotrix 28 rhusiopathiae, Leptospira pomona, Chlamydia/Chlamydiaceae sp., Salmonella 29 sp. and Mycobacterium bovis) in the wild boar population in Sierra Nevada 30 National Park (SNNP), an open unfenced area, is reported, taking into account 31 wild boar population abundance variation in space and time in an open 32 unfenced environment. A total of 1,103 wild boar were sampled in 141 hunting 33 events randomly carried out for sampling in seven hunting seasons (October to 34 February from 2002-2003 to 2009-2010, (except 2007-2008). Prevalence was 35 overall lower than those previously reported for fenced w...
Hepatitis E Virus Detection in Hunted Wild Boar Liver and Muscle Tissues in Central Italy
Microorganisms
In different European countries, including Italy, hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been recognized as an emerging public health concern. Humans are infected through the orofecal route by the ingestion of contaminated uncooked or undercooked animal-origin foodstuffs. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) have gained a crucial role as viral reservoirs. HEV-3 is the most frequently identified genotype from hunted wild boar liver and muscle tissues. The Marche region, more specifically Ascoli Piceno province, is characterized by a rooted hunting tradition and related product consumption. In this research study, 312 liver and 296 muscle specimens were screened using biomolecular assays, and HEV RNA was detected from 5.45% and 1.35% of liver and muscle samples, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that positive animals were infected by genotype 3 subtype c. Based on the environmental pathogen characteristics, HEV has also evolved to guarantee its survival in a wild environment. Therefore, wild boars...