Hepatitis E virus in professionally exposed: A reason for concern?

Mrzljak, Anna; Balen, Ivica; Barbić, Ljubo; Ilić, Maja; Vilibić-Čavlek, Tatjana

doi:10.4254/wjh.v13.i7.723

Cited by 18 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Several studies have examined HEV seroprevalence in dogs and cats, although nearly all of these studies used methods inappropriate for rHEV antibody detection (supplementary table 1). Some investigators found higher HEV seroprevalence in pet owners and small-animal veterinary practitioners, but this is not supported in all studies [ 26 , 35–39 ]. Contact with dogs has been identified as a risk factor for HEV seropositivity in a recent meta-analysis, but significant publication bias renders any conclusion doubtful [ 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti) exposure in cats and dogs, Hong Kong

Shun,

Situ,

Tsoi

et al. 2024

Emerging Microbes & Infections

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) variants infecting humans belong to two species: Paslahepevirus balayani (bHEV) and Rocahepevirus ratti (rat hepatitis E virus; rHEV). R. ratti is a ubiquitous rodent pathogen that has recently been recognized to cause hepatitis in humans. Transmission routes of rHEV from rats to humans are currently unknown. In this study, we examined rHEV exposure in cats and dogs to determine if they are potential reservoirs of this emerging human pathogen. Virus-like particle-based IgG enzymatic immunoassays (EIAs) capable of differentiating rHEV & bHEV antibody profiles and rHEV-specific real-time RT–PCR assays were used for this purpose. The EIAs could detect bHEV and rHEV patient-derived IgG spiked in dog and cat sera. Sera from 751 companion dogs and 130 companion cats in Hong Kong were tested with these IgG enzymatic immunoassays (EIAs). Overall, 13/751 (1.7%) dogs and 5/130 (3.8%) cats were sero-reactive to HEV. 9/751 (1.2%) dogs and 2/130 (1.5%) cats tested positive for rHEV IgG, which was further confirmed by rHEV immunoblots. Most rHEV-seropositive animals were from areas in or adjacent to districts reporting human rHEV infection. Neither 881 companion animals nor 652 stray animals carried rHEV RNA in serum or rectal swabs. Therefore, we could not confirm a role for cats and dogs in transmitting rHEV to humans. Further work is required to understand the reasons for low-level seropositivity in these animals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti) exposure in cats and dogs, Hong Kong

Shun,

Situ,

Tsoi

et al. 2024

Emerging Microbes & Infections

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“…A valuable approach could be to evaluate the presence of HEV by combining serological and molecular investigations in animal populations, possibly screening different biological fluids and tissues, including sera, stools, milk and tissue samples from livers, muscles, and spleens. Furthermore, as several studies have demonstrated the association between direct contact with swine and higher HEV seroprevalences in professionally exposed persons [ 130 , 131 , 132 ], additional serological surveillance for HEV among individuals with occupational exposure to ruminants, such as slaughter-plant workers, veterinarians, farmers and hunters, would be helpful in better understanding the role of ruminants as HEV hosts and the occupational risks linked to contact with them. In addition, surveillance plans to ascertain the viral hazards for humans associated with the consumption of ruminant-derived products should be devised and enacted.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Knowledge of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Epidemiology in Ruminants

et al. 2022

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection represents an emerging public health concern worldwide. In industrialized countries, increasing numbers of autochthonous cases of human HEV infection are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes 3 and 4, mainly through the consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked meat of infected pigs and wild boars, which are considered the main reservoirs of HEV. However, in the last few years, accumulating evidence seems to indicate that several other animals, including different ruminant species, may harbor HEV. Understanding the impact of HEV infection in ruminants and identifying the risk factors affecting transmission among animals and to humans is critical in order to determine their role in the epidemiological cycle of HEV. In this review, we provide a summary of current knowledge on HEV ecology in ruminants. A growing body of evidence has revealed that these animal species may be potential important hosts of HEV, raising concerns about the possible implications for public health.

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“…An internal temperature of 71 • C for 20 minutes is apparently needed to inactivate infectious HEV [45]. In addition to the consumption of meat or liver, handling of the carcass may potentially lead to zoonotic infections, as butchers and slaughterhouse workers are reported to have an increased anti-HEV seroprevalence compared to other people in the same area (reviewed in [46]). In addition, faecal contamination of berries, mushrooms or drinking water could transmit the virus to humans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological Evidence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Semi-Domesticated Eurasian Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway

et al. 2021

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of viral hepatitis in humans. In developing countries, HEV-infections seem to be mainly associated with pigs, but other animal species may be involved in viral transmission. Recently, anti-HEV antibodies were detected in Norwegian wild reindeer. Here, we investigated anti-HEV seroprevalence in Norwegian semi-domesticated reindeer, animals in closer contact with humans than their wild counterparts. Blood samples (n = 516) were obtained from eight reindeer herds during the period 2013–2017 and analysed with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay designed for detecting anti-HEV antibodies in livestock. Antibodies were found in all herds and for all sampling seasons. The overall seroprevalence was 15.7% (81/516), with adults showing a slightly higher seroprevalence (18.0%, 46/256) than calves (13.5%, 35/260, p = 0.11). The seroprevalence was not influenced by gender or latitude, and there was no temporal trend (p > 0.15). A positive association between the presence of anti-HEV antibodies and antibodies against alphaherpesvirus and pestivirus, detected in a previous screening, was found (p < 0.05). We conclude that Norwegian semi-domesticated reindeer are exposed to HEV or an antigenically similar virus. Whether the virus is affecting reindeer health or infects humans and poses a threat for human health remains unknown and warrants further investigations.

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Hepatitis E virus in professionally exposed: A reason for concern?

Cited by 18 publications

References 51 publications

Rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti) exposure in cats and dogs, Hong Kong

Rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti) exposure in cats and dogs, Hong Kong

Current Knowledge of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Epidemiology in Ruminants

Serological Evidence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Semi-Domesticated Eurasian Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway

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