Detection of HEV in naturally infected swine from central Argentina by an optimized HEV/MS2 duplex RT‐qPCR

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is currently considered as a global health concern due to the recognition of its zoonotic transmission to humans, mainly from swine, and its association with the development of severe cases of hepatitis in human risk populations. The lack of updated data on HEV state of infection in swineherds of Argentina, and the necessity of robust technologies for its detection in complex biological samples, positions HEV as an emerging issue in public health. Here, we have optimized a RT‐qPCR with internal control for a more precise and accurate HEV RNA detection in swine stool samples. We implemented this optimized molecular tool to analyse the current epidemiological scenario of HEV infection in swine from the core region of commercial activity of Argentina. A total of 135 stool samples were collected from 16 different farms and tested for HEV presence, resulting in 11 positive cases (8.1%). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all of them correspond to HEV genotype 3 and that different subtypes circulate in the region. Moreover, two of the detected strains presented a high nucleotide similarity with a previously identified isolate from human sewage discharges, suggesting the zoonotic transmission of HEV to humans. Collectively, this work provides a better understanding of HEV epidemiology in Argentina while contributes to the improvement of HEV detection technologies.

Zoonotic transmission of hepatitis E virus in a pig farmer from Argentina: A case report

“…As shown in Figure 2, phylogenetic analysis and pairwise comparison of novel sequences demonstrated that the strains isolated from the patient (FJROS336 and FJROS337) and from his pigs (FJROS345) clustered to HEV‐3 genotype, with a nucleotide identity of 100%. Likewise, these strains grouped within a clade that also contains other sequences isolated from pigs from different cities in the provinces of Santa Fe and Cordoba (nucleotide identity range 89.9%–92.4%), demonstrating the circulation of different HEV‐3 strains in our country (Figure 2) (Marziali et al., 2019). These results allow us to confirm a zoonotic transmission of HEV from pigs to their owner, highlighting the epidemiological relationship as a key role.…”

“…In a previous report, we have demonstrated the real circulation of HEV‐3 in pigs in the core region of commercial activity in Argentina, highlighting the risk of HEV transmission to human, especially for vulnerable populations (Marziali et al., 2019). In this sense, here we present a case that clearly illustrates, for the first time in Argentina, an epidemiological link in a swine farmer patient with an acute hepatitis due to HEV infection.…”

“…HEV is considered a public health concern due to its zoonotic transmission to human, and its association with the development of severe cases of hepatitis in human populations at risk (Kamar et al., 2014). In Argentina, the circulation of HEV genotype 3 in pigs and aqueous matrices has been reported (Martínez Wassaf et al., 2014; Marziali et al., 2019; Munné et al., 2006). Furthermore, several studies showed HEV IgG seroprevalence rates between 4.4% and 16.1% in the general population and blood donors reported in the last 10 years (Pisano et al., 2018).…”

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

“…However, in each particular Latin American country with reported studies on HEV, excepting Bolivia, both human and swine strains were found to be very closely related. Thus, the zoonotic route seems to play a crucial role in the maintenance and transmission of HEV in the region . This is supported by a recent case of acute hepatitis E in Argentina, in which the sequences of HEV‐3 obtained from the patient and pigs from his farm were identical…”

“…Serological and molecular detections performed in animals, evidenced by the presence of HEV in domestic pigs, showed elevated seroprevalence rates, ranging from 46% to 100% . Recently, specific anti‐HEV antibodies and RNA have been detected in free‐living wild boars from Uruguay and Argentina, where very similar seroprevalence rates were observed (about 22% and 20%, respectively) .…”