Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar in the Central Northern Part of Italy

Martinelli, Nicola; Pavoni, Enrico; Filogari, D; Ferrari, Nicola; Chiari, Mario; Canelli, Elena; Lombardi, Giovanna

doi:10.1111/tbed.12118

Cited by 56 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Prevalence reported in other European countries vary widely from different countries and within each country: 3 % in the Netherlands (Rutjes et al 2010), 25 % in Portugal (Mesquita et al 2014), 11 and 12.2 % in Hungary (Reuter et al 2009;Forgách et al 2010), 14.9 and 68.2 % in Germany (Adlhoch et al 2009;Schielke et al 2009). Some authors hypothesize that these differences could be attributed to the biology, to different habitats where wild boar populations live and to the different densities of populations in different areas, and to the possibility of contact with pigs in which the infection is widespread (Martelli et al 2008;Martinelli et al 2013). Regarding the sex and age classes of analyzed wild boars, no significant differences were found in agreement with the previous studies (Martelli et al 2008;de Deus et al 2008a;Adlhoch et al 2009;Schielke et al 2009;Martinelli et al 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Coypus are, in fact, a possible food resource for humans, considering that meat from nutria is commonly consumed in South America and in some European countries such as France and Germany (Gło-gowski et al 2010). Taking into consideration the limited amount of data available on HEV prevalence in wild boars in Italy (Martelli et al 2008;Martinelli et al 2013;Caruso et al 2015) and the absence of data on other wild game species, the aim of this study was to investigate the circulation of HEV in the three most hunted wild species in Italy (Sus scrofa, Capreolus capreolus and Lepus europaeus). Moreover, to investigate whether HEV circulates in coypu, we tested liver samples from wild coypu collected during control or eradication programs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Investigation on the Presence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Wild Game in North-Western Italy

et al. 2015

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Meat products from HEV-infected reservoir animal species are capable of transmitting HEV to humans and represent a public health concern. Human HEV cases have been linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked pig liver sausages, pork, and game meats, such as wild boars and deer worldwide. Direct exposure to swine or wild game species might also represent a source of HEV transmission especially for veterinarians, hunters, or butchers. A limited amount of data is available on HEV prevalence in wild boars in Italy and no data are available for other wild game species intended for human consumption. In this study, the circulation of HEV in four different animal species hunted in north-western Italy was evaluated to gain insight into the infection levels and the genetic diversity of the virus in such animal populations. Liver samples of 372 wild boars, 30 roe deer, 47 European hares and 38 coypus were analyzed for HEV RNA by real-time RT-PCR; positive samples were then sequenced and submitted to phylogenetic analysis. HEV RNA was detected in the livers of 7/372 (1.9%) wild boars tested, while no sample was positive for roe deer, European hare, and coypu. Phylogenetic analysis showed that wild boar HEV sequences belonged to HEV subtypes 3e, 3c, and 3f. Our results indicate that HEV is circulating only in wild boar among the considered game species in north-western Italy and suggest a potential zoonotic risk related to handling and/or consumption of raw or undercooked meat and products made of the liver from this species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Investigation on the Presence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Wild Game in North-Western Italy

et al. 2015

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“…The determination of the sample size was performed using the expected prevalence in the selected geographical area (Pisa Province, Tuscany, Italy; Martinelli et al 2013) and the predicted number of free ranging wild boar in the study area (about 6,000 free ranging animals shot per year). The proper sample size to be included in the study was calculated with EpiTools (http://epitools.ausvet.com.au) and resulted in 62 units.…”

Section: Sample Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis E virus-related liver alterations and viral antigen localization in European wild boar (Sus scrofa)

et al. 2014

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Sixty-four sera and faecal samples from hunted wild boar were submitted to indirect ELISA and RT-PCR to detect hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Liver samples were used to characterize liver alterations associated with HEV infection. Thirty-six (56.2 %) sera scored positive for HEV antibodies while six (9.4 %) faecal samples were viruspositive. A higher seroprevalence was found in adults with no differences between genders. Histological lesions were subclinical and characterized by mild multifocal and periportal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of mainly CD3+ lymphocytes. All six liver samples from HEV RT-PCR-positive subjects showed immunohistochemical cytoplasmic positivity for viral antigen in inflammatory foci. HEV infection had no apparent effect on wild boar body condition and biometric parameters.\ud However, HEV infection in wild boar constitutes a threat for\ud hunters, forest workers and consumers of undercooked wild\ud boar meat or liver

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“…Phylogenetic analysis of 10 positive samples demonstrated that all isolates belonged to genotype 3; however, no subtyping or seroprevalence tests were carried out. In a more recent study, Martinelli et al [15] conducted a serological and virological survey on 2211 wild boar serum and 493 liver samples collected from the central northern areas of Italy during the hunting seasons between 2009 and 2012. The seroprevalence was 10.2 %, no statistically significant association with age was found, and no HEV RNA was detected in either the liver or serum samples.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological and virological survey of hepatitis E virus in wild boar populations in northwestern Italy: detection of HEV subtypes 3e and 3f

et al. 2014

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Although rare in developed countries, most acquired human cases of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are associated with travel to developing countries where HEV is endemic. Increasingly, however, sporadic, non-travel-related HEV cases have been reported in developed countries. In Italy, only two studies to date have investigated the presence of HEV in wild boars. Here, we report a serological and virological survey of HEV in wild boar populations in northwestern Italy. During the hunting season, 594 serum and 320 liver samples were collected and screened for antibodies to HEV and HEV RNA. Overall, the seroprevalence was 4.9 %, and HEV RNA was detected in 12 liver samples (p = 3.7 %). No serum samples tested positive for HEV RNA. Phylogenetic analysis of the ORF2 region revealed that the isolates clustered within genotype 3, subtypes 3e and 3f, and were closely related to HEV strains previously detected in domestic pigs farmed in the same geographic area. Although the routes of viral transmission are still poorly understood, our data show that HEV genotypes 3e and 3f circulate in wild boars in northwestern Italy. Also, they provide evidence that autochthonous HEV infections in Italy could also be linked to wild boar populations, suggesting an increased risk for domestically acquired HEV infection in humans through wild animals. The HEV sequences determined in this study may be useful for comparing present and future human isolates to identify transmission events between wild boar, humans, and farmed pigs. Similarly to other more commonly known zoonotic agents, HEV should be included in national or regional disease surveillance programs for wild animals.

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Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar in the Central Northern Part of Italy

Cited by 56 publications

References 34 publications

Molecular Investigation on the Presence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Wild Game in North-Western Italy

Molecular Investigation on the Presence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Wild Game in North-Western Italy

Hepatitis E virus-related liver alterations and viral antigen localization in European wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Serological and virological survey of hepatitis E virus in wild boar populations in northwestern Italy: detection of HEV subtypes 3e and 3f

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