The aim of this study was to further investigate the role of wild boar (Sus scrofa) as a reservoir for hepatitis E virus (HEV). Sixty-four blood and faecal samples collected from wild boar hunted in Central Italy in 2011–2012 were examined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and RT-PCR analysis. Positive RT-PCR samples were further examined by nucleotide sequence determination and subsequent phylogenetic analysis. Thirty-six sera (56.2%) were positive for HEV-specific antibodies, and six (9.4%) faecal samples scored RT-PCR-positive results. Four animals were positive by both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the detected wild boar–derived HEV sequences clustered within genotype 3, with similarity to sequences of human origin collected in a nearby area in 2012. Our data confirm that HEV is endemic in the wild boar population in the research area and that these wild animals could play an important role in the epidemiology of HEV infection.

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Abstract. The Italian National Reference Center for equine infectious anemia (CRAIE; Rome, Italy) developed and validated a monoclonal, recombinant p26-based competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for the detection of EIA virus antibodies employing the 2010 criteria of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The following parameters were evaluated: cutoff values, repeatability, reproducibility, concordance, analytical sensitivity (Se), absolute analytical specificity (Sp), and diagnostic Se and Sp. Positive and negative predictive values were also defined in relation to the estimated prevalence. When the cELISA was used as a screening test for 96,468 samples in the Italian EIA surveillance program, 17% more EIA cases were detected than by the agar gel immunodiffusion test, and the apparent diagnostic Sp estimated from these samples was 99.8%, which was more than the diagnostic Sp (80.2%) estimated from validation. The high Se and Sp of the cELISA confirm its fit for purpose as a screening test.

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Sixty-four sera and faecal samples from hunted wild boar were submitted to indirect ELISA and RT-PCR to detect hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Liver samples were used to characterize liver alterations associated with HEV infection. Thirty-six (56.2 %) sera scored positive for HEV antibodies while six (9.4 %) faecal samples were viruspositive. A higher seroprevalence was found in adults with no differences between genders. Histological lesions were subclinical and characterized by mild multifocal and periportal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of mainly CD3+ lymphocytes. All six liver samples from HEV RT-PCR-positive subjects showed immunohistochemical cytoplasmic positivity for viral antigen in inflammatory foci. HEV infection had no apparent effect on wild boar body condition and biometric parameters.\ud However, HEV infection in wild boar constitutes a threat for\ud hunters, forest workers and consumers of undercooked wild\ud boar meat or liver