No Evidence for Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 Susceptibility in Rats

Li, Tiancheng; Ami, Yasushi; Suzaki, Yuriko; Takeda, Naokazu; Wakita, Takaji

doi:10.3201/eid1908.130200

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…However, there may be strain differences in the infectivity of HEV G3 to rodents, including rats. Japanese (Kanai et al, ) and US (Lack, Volk, & Bussche, ) studies have reported HEV G3 RNA in the liver tissue of wild rats ( R. norvegicus and Rattus rattus ), while experimental studies found laboratory rats were not susceptible to infection (Li, Ami, Suzaki, Takeda, & Takaji, ). In this study, Orthohepevirus C , genotype C1 (rat HEV) RNA was detected in British rats, and sequence analysis showed it to be closely related to those found in other European countries and China.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First detection of Hepatitis E virus (Orthohepevirus C) in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Great Britain

Murphy

Williams

Jennings

et al. 2019

Zoonoses and Public Health

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In the United Kingdom, there has been an increase in the number of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in people annually since 2010. Most of these are thought to be indigenously acquired Orthohepevirus A genotype 3 (HEV G3), which has been linked to pork production and consumption. However, the dominant subgroup circulating in British pigs differs from that which is found in people; therefore, an alternative, potentially zoonotic, source is suspected as a possible cause of these infections. Rodents, brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in particular, have been shown to carry HEV, both the swine HEV G3 genotype and Orthohepevirus C, genotype C1 (rat HEV). To investigate the prevalence of HEV in British rodents, liver tissue was taken from 307 rodents collected from pig farms (n = 12) and other locations (n = 10). The RNA from these samples was extracted and tested using a pan‐HEV nested RT‐PCR. Limited histopathology was also performed. In this study, 8/61 (13%, 95% CI, 5–21) of brown rat livers were positive for HEV RNA. Sequencing of amplicons demonstrated all infections to be rat HEV with 87%–92% nucleotide identity to other rat HEV sequences circulating within Europe and China (224 nt ORF‐1). Lesions and necrosis were observed histologically in 2/3 samples examined. No rat HEV RNA was detected in any other species, and no HEV G3 RNA was detected in any rodent in this study. This is the first reported detection of rat HEV in Great Britain. A human case of rat HEV infection has recently been reported in Asia, suggesting that rat HEV could pose a risk to public health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First detection of Hepatitis E virus (Orthohepevirus C) in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Great Britain

Murphy

Williams

Jennings

et al. 2019

Zoonoses and Public Health

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“…Recently, Genotype 3 rat HEV strains have been genetically detected from wild rats in the United States, suggesting the potential for zoonotic transmission and the genetic variability of rat HEV [ 1 , 182 ]. Further studies are warranted to independently confirm the existence of Genotype 3 HEV in rats, especially since, under experimental conditions, laboratory rats are not susceptible to experimental infection by Genotype 3 HEV [ 184 ].…”

Section: Known and Potential Animal Reservoirsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis E Virus: Foodborne, Waterborne and Zoonotic Transmission

Yugo

Meng

2013

IJERPH

211

181

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for epidemics and endemics of acute hepatitis in humans, mainly through waterborne, foodborne, and zoonotic transmission routes. HEV is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus classified in the family Hepeviridae and encompasses four known Genotypes (1–4), at least two new putative genotypes of mammalian HEV, and one floating genus of avian HEV. Genotypes 1 and 2 HEVs only affect humans, while Genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic and responsible for sporadic and autochthonous infections in both humans and several other animal species worldwide. HEV has an ever-expanding host range and has been identified in numerous animal species. Swine serve as a reservoir species for HEV transmission to humans; however, it is likely that other animal species may also act as reservoirs. HEV poses an important public health concern with cases of the disease definitively linked to handling of infected pigs, consumption of raw and undercooked animal meats, and animal manure contamination of drinking or irrigation water. Infectious HEV has been identified in numerous sources of concern including animal feces, sewage water, inadequately-treated water, contaminated shellfish and produce, as well as animal meats. Many aspects of HEV pathogenesis, replication, and immunological responses remain unknown, as HEV is an extremely understudied but important human pathogen. This article reviews the current understanding of HEV transmission routes with emphasis on food and environmental sources and the prevalence of HEV in animal species with zoonotic potential in humans.

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“…However, the susceptibility of rats to human HEV genotypes is very controversial. HEV‐C1 does not infect rhesus monkeys (Purcell et al., ), and laboratory rats do not appear to be susceptible to genotypes 1, 3 and 4 (Li et al., ,c), although one study reported partial genotype 3 sequences in rat liver specimens (Lack et al., ). Viruses found in birds could not be transmitted experimentally to primates (Huang et al., ).…”

Section: Zoonotic Concerns Of Hev and Hev‐related Virusesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis E Virus and Related Viruses in Animals

Thiry

Mauroy

Pavio

et al. 2015

Transbound Emerg Dis

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Hepatitis E is an acute human liver disease in healthy individuals which may eventually become chronic. It is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) and can have a zoonotic origin. Nearly 57,000 people die yearly from hepatitis E-related conditions. The disease is endemic in both developing and developed countries with distinct epidemiologic profiles. In developing countries, the disease is associated with inadequate water treatment, while in developed countries, transmission is associated with animal contact and the ingestion of raw or uncooked meat, especially liver. All human HEV are grouped into at least four genotypes, while HEV or HEV-related viruses have been identified in an increasing number of domestic and wild animal species. Despite a high genetic diversity, only one single HEV serotype has been described to date for HEV genotypes 1-4. The discovery of new HEV or HEV-related viruses leads to a continuing increase in the number of genotypes. In addition, the genome organization of all these viruses is variable with overlapping open reading frames (ORF) and differences in the location of ORF3. In spite of the role of some domestic and wild animals as reservoir, the origin of HEV and HEV-related viruses in humans and animals is still unclear. This review discusses aspects of the detection, molecular virology, zoonotic transmission and origin of HEV and HEV-related viruses in the context of 'One Health' and establishes a link between the previous and the new taxonomy of this growing virus family.

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No Evidence for Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 Susceptibility in Rats

Cited by 12 publications

References 10 publications

First detection of Hepatitis E virus (Orthohepevirus C) in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Great Britain

First detection of Hepatitis E virus (Orthohepevirus C) in wild brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Great Britain

Hepatitis E Virus: Foodborne, Waterborne and Zoonotic Transmission

Hepatitis E Virus and Related Viruses in Animals

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