Hepatitis E Virus Serosurvey among Pet Dogs and Cats in Several Developed Cities in China

Abstract

Infection by Hepatitis E virus (HEV), as a zoonotic disease virus, is well studied in pigs in China, but few studies in pets have been performed. This study was designed to characterize the prevalence of HEV infection among pet dogs and cats in major metropolitan areas of China. We conducted a seroepidemiological survey from 2012 to 2013 in 5 developed cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Canton, Shenzhen and Macao, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall HEV seroprevalence in 658 dog and 191 cat serum samples was 21.12% and 6.28%, respectively. The analysis in dogs suggested that there were significant differences among cities, and the positive rate of HEV-specific antibody in all cities ranged from 6.06% (Shenzhen) to 29.34% (Beijing). Older pet cats have a high risk (OR, 10.25) for HEV seropositivity, but no strong relationship was observed between different genders and age groups. Additionally, it was revealed that stray dogs, omnivorous pet dogs and pet cats who share food, such as kitchen residue, with the general population would have a higher risk for HEV seropositivity. The odds ratios for these groups are 2.40, 2.83 and 5.39, respectively, compared with pet dogs and cats fed on commercial food. In this study, we first report that HEV is prevalent in pet dogs and cats in several large cities in China. Swill and kitchen residue may be a potential risk for HEV transmission from human to pets. As the sample size was relatively small in this study and may not be fully representative of China, further investigation is required to confirm the conclusions.

Molecular and serological surveillance of Hepatitis E virus in wild and domestic carnivores in Brandenburg, Germany

“…Hence, our result is the first report illustrating a considerable HEV infection rate in dogs in an European country. The serological results confirming HEV infections in cats (32.3%) are compared to those found in China (33%) (Okamoto, Takahashi, Nishizawa, Usui, & Kobayashi, ), but do not correlate with those observed in two other studies in Japan (1.9%) and China (6.3%) (Liang et al., ; Mochizuki et al., ). The serological data indicate multiple infections by HEV.…”

“…This is also the first report on HEV antibody detection in raccoons and raccoon dogs, which both belong to the same superfamily Canoidea . Seroprevalence found in dogs was ranging from 0% in Japan (Mochizuki et al., ), 0.8% in UK (McElroy et al., ), 7% in Brazil (Vitral et al., ), 16.8% in China (Liang et al., ), about 23% (Arankalle et al., ) in India to 88.5% in Chinese pet dogs (Liu et al., ). Hence, our result is the first report illustrating a considerable HEV infection rate in dogs in an European country.…”

“…This is also the first report on HEV antibody detection in raccoons and raccoon dogs, which both belong to the same superfamily Canoidea. Seroprevalence found in dogs was ranging from 0% in Japan (Mochizuki et al, 2006), 0.8% in UK (McElroy et al, 2015, 7% in Brazil (Vitral et al, 2005), 16.8% in China (Liang et al, 2014), about 23% (Arankalle et al, 2001) in India to 88.5%…”

High hepatitis E virus antibody positive rates in dogs and humans exposed to dogs in the south‐west of China

“…Dog HEV infection rate in 2012–2013 was 21.12% (Wang et al., ). In 2016, the dog HEV infection rate in Guangdong was 19% (Liang et al., ). In the Jiang‐Zhe area of China, a survey showed that the seroprevalence of HEV in pet dogs was approximately 13.5% (Dong, Dai, Liang, Dong, & Meng, ; Liu, Zhang, Shen, Yang, & Huang, ).…”

“…According to the epidemiological characteristics of HE, HEV infection was closely related to the dog breeds and the daily living environment (Li, Shen, Ai, Guo, & Geng, 2014 (Wang et al, 2016). In 2016, the dog HEV infection rate in Guangdong was 19% (Liang et al, 2014). In the Jiang-Zhe area of China, a survey showed that the seroprevalence of HEV in pet dogs was approximately 13.5% (Dong, Dai, Liang, Dong, & Meng, 2012;Liu, Zhang, Shen, Yang, & Huang, 2009).…”