Low Serologic Prevalences Suggest Sporadic Infections of Hepatitis E Virus in Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Italian Alps

Trogu, Tiziana; Ferrari, Nicola; Formenti, Nicoletta; Filipello, Virginia; Pedrotti, Luca; Viganò, Roberto; Lanfranchi, P.; Luzzago, C.

doi:10.7589/2019-02-036

Cited by 10 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Indeed, in our analysis, HEV molecular evidence was not obtained in any of the wild ruminants included in the screening. Furthermore, we found an overall low seroprevalence rate for HEV (3.5%; 4/115), confirming previous data collected during 2013-2015 surveillance from three distinct Italian Alpine regions [69], in which HEV antibodies were detected with rates of 1.2% (2/172) in chamois and 0.8% (2/254) in red deer. Accordingly, it could be hypothesized a limited role of these wild animals in maintaining HEV circulation, at least in the investigated geographical settings.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Surveillance Study of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Domestic and Wild Ruminants in Northwestern Italy

Palombieri

Robetto

Profio

et al. 2020

Animals

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In industrialized countries, increasing autochthonous infections of hepatitis E virus (HEV) are caused by zoonotic transmission of genotypes (Gts) 3 and 4, mainly through consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked pork meat. Although swine and wild boar are recognized as the main reservoir for Gt3 and Gt4, accumulating evidence indicates that other animal species, including domestic and wild ruminants, may harbor HEV. Herein, we screened molecularly and serologically serum and fecal samples from two domestic and four wild ruminant species collected in Valle d’Aosta and Piemonte regions (northwestern Italy. HEV antibodies were found in sheep (21.6%), goats (11.4%), red deer (2.6%), roe deer (3.1%), and in Alpine ibex (6.3%). Molecular screening was performed using different primer sets targeting highly conserved regions of hepeviruses and HEV RNA, although at low viral loads, was detected in four fecal specimens (3.0%, 4/134) collected from two HEV seropositive sheep herds. Taken together, the data obtained document the circulation of HEV in the geographical area assessed both in wild and domestic ruminants, but with the highest seroprevalence in sheep and goats. Consistently with results from other studies conducted in southern Italy, circulation of HEV among small domestic ruminants seems to occur more frequently than expected.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Surveillance Study of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Domestic and Wild Ruminants in Northwestern Italy

Palombieri

Robetto

Profio

et al. 2020

Animals

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“…However, higher values have been observed in red deer from Spain (10.4%, 101/968 to 12.85%, 9/70), Italy (13.9%, 35/251), and Sweden (7%, 1/14) [ 39 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. The HEV seroprevalence in red deer appears to be generally low in Europe, as reported in Germany (rates of 2%, 2/100 and 3.3%, 2/61) [ 46 ], Belgium (1%, 2/189) [ 30 ], and Italy (0.8%, 2/254 to 2.6%, 1/38) [ 35 , 47 ]. All red deer studied in Poland (n = 118) and in Germany (n = 78) were seronegative [ 48 , 49 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Therefore, the contribution of suids to the circulation of HEV in Norway is probably moderate, suggesting that cervids could have a bigger role in the epidemiology of HEV in Norway. The circulation of HEV in red deer and chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ) in certain Alpine regions without suids has been described by Trogu et al [ 35 ]. The low seroprevalence rates found in muskoxen and red deer (5.9%, 6/102, and 4%, 7/177, respectively) indicate that they are possibly incidental HEV hosts in Norway.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, genotype 3 was also detected in goats from Italy (9.2%, 11/119) [ 53 ] and also HEV exposure (11.4%, 19/167) [ 47 ]. Regarding wild Caprinae, HEV-exposure was recently described in chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ) [ 35 ] and Alpine ibex ( Capra ibex ) [ 47 ] from Italy (seroprevalences of 1.2% [2/172] and 6.3% [2/32], respectively).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Moose (Alces alces), Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), and Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) from Norway

Sacristán

Madslien

Sacristán

et al. 2021

Viruses

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major cause of viral hepatitis worldwide, is considered an emerging foodborne zoonosis in Europe. Pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) and wild boars (S. scrofa) are recognized as important HEV reservoirs. Additionally, HEV infection and exposure have been described in cervids. In Norway, HEV has been identified in pigs and humans; however, little is known regarding its presence in wild ungulates in the country. We used a species-independent double-antigen sandwich ELISA to detect antibodies against HEV in the sera of 715 wild ungulates from Norway, including 164 moose (Alces alces), 186 wild Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus), 177 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 86 European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and 102 muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus). The overall seroprevalence was 12.3% (88/715). Wild reindeer had the highest seropositivity (23.1%, 43/186), followed by moose (19.5%, 32/164), muskoxen (5.9%, 6/102), and red deer (4%, 7/177). All roe deer were negative. According to our results, HEV is circulating in wild ungulates in Norway. The high seroprevalence observed in wild reindeer and moose indicates that these species may be potential reservoirs of HEV. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of HEV exposure in reindeer from Europe and in muskoxen worldwide.

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“…In the Italian wild boar populations, HEV infection is common, and the mean seroprevalence ranges from 4.9% [ 17 ] to 56.2% [ 18 ]. The infection in other wild animal species has been rarely investigated, but two studies conducted on red deer have confirmed the circulation of HEV-3 with seroprevalence values ranging from 1.2% [ 19 ] to 13.9% [ 20 ], and to a lesser extent (0.8%) also in chamois [ 19 ]. In the present case-control study, the seroprevalence of anti-IgG HEV antibodies in forestry workers (exposed group), in contact with wild animals and in a control group, was investigated, in order to evaluate the potential risk linked to professional activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Forestry Workers from Trentino-Alto Adige Region (Northern Italy)

et al. 2020

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People with some occupational or recreational activities, such as hunters and veterinarians, may have increased risk to be infected by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). The aim of the present study was to establish whether forestry workers could be considered at a higher risk of HEV infection than a control group. One hundred and fifty sera from forestry workers and a control group of 85 sera were analysed by anti-HEV IgG antibodies detection using a commercial ELISA kit. The anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was 14% for forestry workers and 9.4% for the control group. Comparing the risk of HEV infection in the two groups, there was no difference in the odds ratio. However, the seroprevalence in older subjects was higher in the forestry workers than in the control group. Two sera from forestry workers were also positive for anti-HEV IgM, and, in one of them, HEV-RNA was detected. Our findings showed an increase of seroprevalence with age, which is likely to reflect cumulative exposure to HEV over time. The occupation of forestry workers did not seem to be associated with a higher risk of HEV infection. The study provided new insights into the risk of acquiring HEV in occupational exposure workers with open-air activities.

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Low Serologic Prevalences Suggest Sporadic Infections of Hepatitis E Virus in Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Italian Alps

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

Surveillance Study of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Domestic and Wild Ruminants in Northwestern Italy

Surveillance Study of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Domestic and Wild Ruminants in Northwestern Italy

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Moose (Alces alces), Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), and Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) from Norway

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Forestry Workers from Trentino-Alto Adige Region (Northern Italy)

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