A case of incidental infection of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 1 in a domestic pig

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection involving zoonotic genotypes is a public health problem in high-income and non-endemic developing countries. Herein we report the detection of a human genotype 1 (HEV-1) strain infecting a domestic pig, which is not considered a natural reservoir of this genotype. Viral load was quantified in stool by Real-Time qPCR and sequence analyses were performed. Infectivity of the HEV-1 strain was assesed by in vitro isolation in A549 cell line. Results suggest that certain epidemiological settings might favour accidental spillover infection and thus influence the host range restriction of HEV.

Hepatitis E virus infection in pregnant women, Argentina

“…This could be a reason for the occurrence of asymptomatic infections, since severe hepatitis and FHF cases have been reported as a consequence of HEV genotype 1 (HEV-1) infections in other parts of the world [12]. However, it is important to continue monitoring acute liver diseases in this population due to the detections of HEV-1 reported in the bordering country of Uruguay [18,19]. This situation would lead to the entrance of HEV-1 to Argentina (from Uruguay), or to the HEV-1 infection of Argentine pregnant women who visit Uruguay (the Uruguayan coasts are a holiday destination for many Argentine people).…”

Hepatitis E Virus Infection: Is It Really a Problem in Latin America?

“…Recently, in Uruguay, where the cocirculation of HEV‐3 and HEV‐1 had been reported, a domestic pig was found to be infected with a human HEV‐1 strain. However, the significance of this finding and the zoonotic potential of this rare case need to be further investigated …”