Four major genotypes of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) have been documented worldwide (1–4) with genotypes 1 and 2 found in human in Sub-Saharan Africa. Human Hepatitis cases due to HEV genotype 3 and 4 are zoonotic with various animal identified as possible reservoirs. Recently, HEV genotype 3 was found in pigs and human beings in West Africa, which may change the epidemic in human. Here, we assessed the prevalence of HEV antibodies in various domestic and wild mammalians in Burkina Faso. Random sampling was performed between 2015 and 2017 to collect serum from 100 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) , 19 hares ( Lepus africana ), 72 cattle (Bos taurus) , 75 sheep (Ovis aries) and 81 goats (Capra aegagrus) in three provinces in Burkina Faso. A multi-species ELISA was performed on serum samples from 328 domestic animals and 19 hunting hares. HEV total antibodies were identified in 121 out of 347 specimens (34.9% CI95% [29.9–39.9]). Sera from rabbits (60% CI95% [50.4–69.6]), hares (52.6% CI95% [30.2–75.1]), cattle (26.4% CI95% [16.2–36.6]), sheep (12.0% CI95% [4.6–19.4]), and goats (28.4% CI95% [18.6–38.2]) tested positive for antibodies anti-HEV. In this study we evidence presence of HEV antibodies in various mammalians and highlight the importance of these species in the epidemiology of HEV infection in Burkina Faso.

Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the sero-epidemiological information and associated risk factors, of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) among dromedaries in Sub-sahelian region. Study Design: Cross sectional epidemiological survey. Place and Duration: The study was carried out in three countries of West Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger), over a two month period from February to March 2015. Methodology: A total of 133 serum samples collected from dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) were examined for the detection of anti-DcHEV total antibody by a mammals targeted ELISA kit (ID vet, France), using a multispecies conjugate. Results: Eleven of the 133 (8.33%; 95%CI [3.6 – 13.0]) dromedaries were positive for anti-DcHEV antibodies. Positive cases had a random geographic distribution (p˃0.05) and all seropositive dromedaries were in close contact with other domestic animals. Conclusion: This study highlight the circulation of HEV in West African mammals and specifically in dromedaries. This is the first study reporting HEV circulation in dromedaries in West Africa. Further studies is needed to identify the HEV genotype involved in the dromedary camel infection, and evaluation of potential transmission to dromedary’s care keepers.

Background African swine fever (ASF) is a viral hemorrhagic disease of domestic and wild swine. ASF has been endemic in Burkina Faso since 2003. In October 2018, substantial pig deaths occurred in Ouagadougou and two neighboring municipalities in central Burkina Faso. Following these mortalities, the veterinary extension services carried out investigations to begin control measures and collect samples. Methods We performed real-time PCR for diagnostic confirmation and molecular characterization of the virus based on the partial P72, the complete p54, the partial CD2v, and partial B602L genes. Results The field study revealed that mortalities started two weeks before our investigations. The real-time PCR results confirmed ASFV DNA in twenty samples out of sixty-two blood samples collected in four different locations. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that ASFVs causing these outbreaks belong to genotype I and serogroup 4. The study of the CVR showed 4 TRS variants, and that of the CD2v amino acid sequence revealed five variants based on the number of deleted KCPPPK motifs in the C-terminal proline-reach region of the protein. Conclusions The existence of multiple variants in these outbreaks shows the importance of molecular characterization to understand the evolution of ASFV isolates and the link between epidemics.

Only a minority of the patients with acute febrile jaundice evaluated through the Yellow Fever surveillance program were found positive for antibodies against Yellow Fever Virus (YFV). In order to characterize patients with acute febrile jaundice negative for YFV, we collected 255 sera between January to December 2019. We screened for HBV antigens, and antibodies against HCV and HEV. The seroprevalences observed were 10.6% (27/255) for HBV, 2% (5/255) for HCV, 17.3% (44/255) for HEV IgG, 4.3% (11/255) for HEV IgM, and 12.5% (32/255) for both IgG and IgM HEV. Prevalence of HEV was significantly higher in females than males (p < 0.01). HEV IgG prevalence was highest in those 20–29 years old, but the highest incidence rate (IgM positive) was in children 0–9 years old. Exposure to HEV was higher in the Sahelian zone (55.8%, 95% CI: 40.97–70.66) than in the Sudanese zone (30.2%, 95% CI: 24.01–36.37, p = 0.003). The high prevalence rates and hepatitis virus diversity underline the challenge of routine clinical diagnosis in Chad’s Yellow Fever surveillance program.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies prevalence is reported globally worldwide. However, there is still some countries where data are not well reported or even studied as in Togo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of HEV among human populations and analyze demographic variables related to the infection in the city of Sokodé, in central area of Togo.Results: A total of 289 individuals including 195 blood donors (24 women and 171 men), and 94 pregnant women were recruited from May to October 2020 and socio-economic status were assessed. All obtained sera were tested for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies with the immunochromatography test (MP Diagnostics ASSURE IgM Rapid test) and the MP Diagnostics HEV-IgM and HEV-IgG ELISA. The association between anti-HEV status and potential risk factors was assessed. Total HEV antibodies were in 5.6% (95% CI: 3.8 -7.3%) of all samples. HEV IgM antibodies were detected in 11.7% (95% CI: 9.8-13.5%) of the samples, of which 29 (14.8%) were from the blood donors group and 5 (5.3%) from pregnant women group. Gender, water storage container, type of latrine used and washing hands after toilet were associated to anti-HEV IgM seropositivity in population. (p ≤ 0.05).Conclusion: These ndings from asymptomatic population suggest a probable HEV circulation at signi cant levels. These data are the rst step to understand the epidemiology of the HEV infection in Togo that deserved to be extended both in timing and Togo's region.