Hepatitis A Virus, Hepatitis E Virus, and Rotavirus in Foods of Animal Origin Traded at the Borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E (HEV), and rotavirus (RV) in fresh and processed meat traded on the border of Brazil with Argentina and Uruguay. In total, 159 samples of raw and processed foods of animal origin were collected in Paso de los Libres, Argentina (n = 53 raw meat, n = 24 processed meat) and Rivera, Uruguay (n = 55 raw meat, n = 18 processed meat), or were seized by the Brazilian International Agricultural Surveillance System-VIGIAGRO (Brazil-Argentina border) (n = 8 raw meat, n = 1 bush meat). All samples were tested for the presence of HAV, HEV, and RV genomes. HAV genes were detected in 18.23% of samples and RV genes in 23.89%. No HEV-positive samples were detected. HAV was also detected in two of the VIGIAGRO samples. Processed meats from Argentina and Uruguay had a higher rate of HAV and RV than raw meat (P > 0.05). The median HAV in the Argentinian and Uruguayan samples was 6.9 × 10 and 3.5 × 10 copies/g, respectively. The presence of RV viral genes in raw meats from Argentina was significant, and this was not observed in processed meats. The presence of HAV and RV genes in a significant portion of products from Argentina and Uruguay is a potential source of human infection. This also indicates precarious conditions of acquisition, processing, and manipulation, which could be improved by improved regulation of food across borders.

Systematic Review of Hepatitis E Virus in Brazil: A One-Health Approach of the Human-Animal-Environment Triad

“…Regarding the HEV contamination of meat and meat products derived from swine and other animals ( Table 2 ), HEV RNA was detected in 36% of the pig pâtés and blood sausages (morcilla) derived from pork [ 76 ]. In another study, no HEV was detected either in pig processed meats such as mortadella, sausage, salami, ham, and pate, or in the raw meat of bovine, swine, chicken, and capybara [ 75 ].…”

Hepatitis A infections from food

“…Similarly, various frozen berries, frozen diced potatoes and frozen diced apple were tested as positive in China (2Á8% of total) (Fang et al 2016), as well as strawberries (0Á001%) in South Korea (Shin et al 2019). Of note, a recent study reported that the 18% of raw and processed foods of animal origin traded in Brazilian borders were tested positive for HAV (Pereira et al 2018). In Australia, the prevalence of HAV in berries and leafy greens at retail was estimated to be <2%, with no virus detected in produce during the survey.…”

“…Of note, a recent study reported that the 18% of raw and processed foods of animal origin traded in Brazilian borders were tested positive for HAV (Pereira et al . 2018). In Australia, the prevalence of HAV in berries and leafy greens at retail was estimated to be <2%, with no virus detected in produce during the survey.…”

Impact of maternal nutrition in viral infections during pregnancy

“…In relation to viral infections, inadequate nutrition could lead to malnourishment (understood as undernutrition or overweight/obesity) and increase the risk of infections [ 184 ], including influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 [ 185 ]. Diets rich in ultra-processed foods can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies and, consequently, alter the redox and inflammation status with consequences on the immune response; this may explain a higher susceptibility to some pathogens such as HIV [ 186 ], hepatitis virus [ 187 ] and SARS-CoV-2 under these circumstances [ 188 ].…”