Exposure to hepatitis E virus, hepatitis A virus and Borrelia spp. infections in forest rangers from a single forest district in western Poland

Bura, Maciej; Bukowska, Alicja; Michalak, Michał; Bura, Aleksandra; Nawrocki, Mariusz J.; Karczewski, Marek; Mozer‐Lisewska, Iwona

doi:10.17219/acem/65787

Cited by 4 publications

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“…Seroepidemiological studies conducted among forestry workers in Europe showed seropositivity of 31% in France (2002-2003)[ 11 ] and 18% in Germany (Brandenburg, 2008)[ 21 ]. In more recent studies, HEV antibodies were detected in 2.2% of forest rangers from western Poland (Poznan, 2014)[ 10 ], 5% of forestry workers from eastern Poland (Lubelskie Voivodship, 2014-2015)[ 13 ], and 14% of forestry workers in Italy (Trentino-Alto Adige Region, 2014-2015)[ 12 ]. Although forestry workers have been identified as being at risk of HEV infection in several studies, the French study revealed for the first time that woodcutters are at a particularly high risk of infection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Professionally exposed individuals ( e.g., forestry workers, veterinarians, hunters, farmers) are also at increased risk of getting infected by HEV. Detected HEV seroprevalence rates in professionally exposed workers differ greatly between countries: Forestry workers (2.2%-31.0%)[ 10 - 13 ], hunters (3.81%-22.2%)[ 13 - 15 ], and veterinarians (10.2%-43.7%)[ 16 , 17 ]. In the transplant population, HEV seroprevalence rates were reportedly between 6.0% and 29.6%[ 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Insights into hepatitis E virus epidemiology in Croatia

Jeličić¹,

Ferenc²,

Mrzljak³

et al. 2022

World J Gastroenterol

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BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging virus of global health concern. The seroprevalence rates differ greatly according to geographic region and population group. AIM To analyze the seroprevalence of HEV in exposed (animal-related professions) and nonexposed populations, as well as solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. METHODS Forestry workers ( n = 93), hunters ( n = 74), and veterinarians ( n = 151) represented the exposed population. The general population ( n = 126) and pregnant women ( n = 118) constituted the control group. Transplant patients included liver transplant recipients (LTRs) ( n = 83), kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) ( n = 43), and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (HSCRs) ( n = 39). HEV immunoglobulin G antibodies were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by the immunoblot test. RESULTS The HEV seroprevalence significantly differed between groups: Veterinarians 15.2%, hunters 14.9%, forestry workers 6.5%, general population 7.1%, and pregnant women 1.7%. In transplant patients, the seropositivity was highest in LTRs (19.3%), while in KTRs and HSCRs, the seroprevalence was similar to the general population (6.9% and 5.1%, respectively). A significant increase in seropositivity with age was observed from 2.9% in individuals less than 30 years to 23.5% in those older than 60 years. Sociodemographic characteristics (sex, educational level, area of residence, and number of household members), eating habits (game meat, offal, and pork products consumption), and environmental and housing conditions (drinking water supply, type of water drainage/sewer, waste disposal, domestic animals) were not associated with HEV seropositivity. However, individuals who reported a pet ownership were more often seropositive compared to those who did not have pet animals (12.5% vs 7.0%). CONCLUSION The results of this study showed that individuals in professional contact with animals and LTRs are at higher risk for HEV infection. In addition, age is a significant risk factor for HEV seropositivity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into hepatitis E virus epidemiology in Croatia

Jeličić¹,

Ferenc²,

Mrzljak³

et al. 2022

World J Gastroenterol

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“…Twenty-three articles reported seroprevalence of LB in seven Eastern European countries ( Table 1 ) (Bazovska et al 2005 , Rojko et al 2005 , Hajek et al 2006 , Biletska et al 2008 , Cisak et al 2008 , Buczek et al 2009 , Bazovská et al 2010 , Podsiadly et al 2011 , Lakos et al 2012 , Machcińska et al 2013 , Kocbach and Kocbach 2014 , Tokarska-Rodak et al 2014 , Zákutná et al 2015a , 2015b , Kuchynka et al 2016 , Magnaval et al 2016 , Zając et al 2017 , Bura et al 2018 , Bušová et al 2018 , Kiewra et al 2018 , Kříž et al 2018 , Pańczuk et al 2019 , Pawelczyk et al 2019 ). National seroprevalence estimates using a single-tier testing strategy on healthy persons and/or indoor workers were 5% in Poland (ELISA IgG, healthy blood donors) (Pawelczyk et al 2019 ), 9.7% in Slovenia (ELISA IgG) (Rojko et al 2005 ), 10.3% in Russia (ELISA IgG) (Magnaval et al 2016 ), and 34.3% in Ukraine (IFA IgG+IgM) (Biletska et al 2008 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Five studies (Bazovska et al 2005 , Cisak et al 2008 , Tokarska-Rodak et al 2014 , Kuchynka et al 2016 , Pańczuk et al 2019 ) used the IgG and IgM standard two-tier test; the weighted mean of the high-risk group was higher (40.6%) than in the low-risk group (11.1%). Four of 23 studies (Podsiadly et al 2011 , Kocbach and Kocbach 2014 , Bura et al 2018 , Kiewra et al 2018 ) measured IgG in high-risk populations only, giving a weighted mean of 24.7%. When stratified by single-tier testing (IgM and IgG), seroprevalence was higher in high-risk groups (37.2%) than low-risk groups (34.7%).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Lyme Borreliosis in Europe: Results from a Systematic Literature Review (2005–2020)

Burn¹,

Pilz

Vyse

et al. 2023

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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Background: Lyme borreliosis (LB), a tick bite-transmitted infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato ( Bbsl ) complex spirochetes, is the most common tickborne disease in Europe. Studies in European countries have reported LB seroprevalence (prevalence of antibodies to Bbsl infection) and diagnostic strategies used for testing. We conducted a systematic literature review to summarize contemporary LB seroprevalence in Europe. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and CABI Direct (Global Health) databases were searched from 2005 to 2020 to identify studies reporting LB seroprevalence in European countries. Reported single-tier and two-tier test results were summarized; algorithms (standard or modified) were used to interpret final test results from studies that used two-tier testing. Results: The search yielded 61 articles from 22 European countries. Studies used a range of diagnostic testing methods and strategies (48% single-tier, 46% standard two-tier, and 6% modified two-tier). In 39 population-based studies, of which 14 were nationally representative, seroprevalence estimates ranged from 2.7% (Norway) to 20% (Finland). There was substantial heterogeneity among studies in terms of design, cohort types, periods sampled, sample sizes, and diagnostics, which limited cross-study comparisons. Nevertheless, among studies that reported seroprevalence in persons with greater exposure to ticks, LB seroprevalence was higher among these groups than in the general population (40.6% vs. 3.9%). Furthermore, among studies that used two-tier testing, general population LB seroprevalence was higher in Western Europe (13.6%) and Eastern Europe (11.1%) than in Northern Europe (4.2%) and Southern Europe (3.9%). Conclusion: Despite variations in LB seroprevalence between and within European subregions and countries, high seroprevalence was observed in certain geographic regions and particular risk groups, suggesting significant disease burden and supporting the need for improved, targeted public health interventions such as vaccination. Harmonized approaches to serologic testing and more nationally representative seroprevalence studies are needed to better understand the prevalence of Bbsl infection in Europe.

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“…The main pertinent route of human infection is the fecal – oral, through consumption of meat, liver, and offal originating from infected wild boars [ 34 , 35 ]. Direct contact with infected animals also seems to be important, as the presence of anti-HEV antibodies has been detected more often among hunters and forest workers [ 21 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. The phylogenetic analysis of the ORF2 sequences of the detected Polish wild boar HEV strains showed their affiliation to the third virus genotype.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity and Epidemiological Significance of Wild Boar HEV-3 Strains Circulating in Poland

Kozyra

Bigoraj

Jabłoński

et al. 2021

Viruses

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The wild boar is the most important reservoir of zoonotic HEV-3 strains among different wildlife species. The aim of the study was subtype identification of wild boar HEV-3 strains circulating in Poland. Wild boar liver was used in the study in the form of homogenates prepared from 57 samples positive for HEV in a real-time RT-PCR. These samples were collected from juvenile and adult wild boars hunted in the jurisdictions of different Regional Directorates of State Forests (RDSF) across Poland. Subtype identification of detected HEV strains was based on a phylogenetic analysis of the most conserved HEV ORF2 genome fragment. Out of 57 tested samples, consensus HEV ORF2 sequences of 348 bp were obtained for 45 strains. Nineteen strains were identified and belonged to the HEV gt 3a and 3i subtypes, whereas 26 were not assigned to any virus subtype. HEV gt 3i strains prevailed in the Polish wild boar population, 16 of such were identified, and they were significantly more often observed in the RDSF Katowice area (χ2 = 28.6, p = 0.027 (<0.05)) compared to other regions of the country. Circulation of 3a strains was limited only to the RDSF Gdańsk territory (χ2 = 48, p = 0.000 (<0.05)). The virus strains detected in the Polish population of wild boars representing previously identified HEV subtypes in wild boars, pigs, or humans in Europe are of epidemiological importance for public health.

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Exposure to hepatitis E virus, hepatitis A virus and Borrelia spp. infections in forest rangers from a single forest district in western Poland

Abstract: We failed to unequivocally prove HEV exposure in FRs. The HAV seroprevalence in this study paralleled the situation in the general population. Exposure to Borrelia spp. in FRs was common.

Cited by 4 publications

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Insights into hepatitis E virus epidemiology in Croatia

Insights into hepatitis E virus epidemiology in Croatia

Seroprevalence of Lyme Borreliosis in Europe: Results from a Systematic Literature Review (2005–2020)

Genetic Diversity and Epidemiological Significance of Wild Boar HEV-3 Strains Circulating in Poland

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