Hepatitis viruses and emerging viruses

Food Safety: Emerging Pathogens

“…The enterically transmitted hepatitis viruses are transmitted by the fecal-oral route, either directly from person to person or indirectly when water or food contaminated with fecal material is ingested, and replicate and cause disease in the liver (Mattison et al, 2009). The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a member of the Picornaviridae family, in the genus Hepatovirus, and consists of nonenveloped, icosahedral capsids of approximately 30 nm in diameter enclosing a 7.5 kb single-stranded, polyadenylated RNA genome (Mattison et al, 2009). The incidence and severity of HAV infection may vary considerably both among and within countries.…”

“…In many developing regions of the world where hygienic standards (i.e., clean water, sewage systems, and proper hygiene practices) may be below acceptable standards, HAV infection is endemic, with the majority of people being infected in early childhood and virtually all adults appearing to be immune; in these areas, HAV transmission occurs primarily from person to person, and outbreaks are not that common as most infections occur among children, who generally remain asymptomatic (Koopmans and Duizer, 2004;Mattison et al, 2009). In contrast, in the developed countries, where HAV endemicity is low, the majority of adults are susceptible to HAV infection, and HAV constitutes a serious and increasing public health concern (Koopmans and Duizer, 2004;Mattison et al, 2009). Viral hepatitis, which is generally an acute infection but its resolution provides life-long immune protection against future infections, is characterized by fever, jaundice, light-colored stools, darkcolored urine, abdominal pain, and occasional diarrhea (Mattison et al, 2009).…”

“…In contrast, in the developed countries, where HAV endemicity is low, the majority of adults are susceptible to HAV infection, and HAV constitutes a serious and increasing public health concern (Koopmans and Duizer, 2004;Mattison et al, 2009). Viral hepatitis, which is generally an acute infection but its resolution provides life-long immune protection against future infections, is characterized by fever, jaundice, light-colored stools, darkcolored urine, abdominal pain, and occasional diarrhea (Mattison et al, 2009). As virus shedding may start 10-14 days before the onset of symptoms, HAV spreading can be extensive (Koopmans and Duizer, 2004).…”

“…As virus shedding may start 10-14 days before the onset of symptoms, HAV spreading can be extensive (Koopmans and Duizer, 2004). Although the accurate identification of foodborne sources of HAV infection is frequently difficult due to the long incubation period between infection and symptomatic disease, foodborne outbreaks of HAV have been associated with many different food types, and primarily with shellfish (due to fecal contamination of shellfish growing waters) and fresh or frozen produce (Mattison et al, 2009).…”

“…Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a member of the genus Hepevirus in the Hepeviridae family, with its particle being a nonenveloped icosahedron of approximately 30 nm in diameter and its genome a 7.5 kb single-stranded RNA molecule (Mattison et al, 2009). Although HEV is known for its ability to cause acute clinical hepatitis, primarily as waterborne outbreaks and sporadic infections, in young adults throughout the developing world, there are recent reports on zoonotic foodborne autochthonous HEV infections in developed countries (Khuroo and Khuroo, 2008;Nicand et al, 2009).…”