Serological Evidence of Hepatitis E Virus in Dromedary Camels in the Sahelian Zone of West Africa

Abstract

Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the sero-epidemiological information and associated risk factors, of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) among dromedaries in Sub-sahelian region.
 Study Design: Cross sectional epidemiological survey.
 Place and Duration: The study was carried out in three countries of West Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger), over a two month period from February to March 2015.
 Methodology: A total of 133 serum samples collected from dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) were examined for the detection of anti-DcHEV total antibody by a mammals targeted ELISA kit (ID vet, France), using a multispecies conjugate.
 Results: Eleven of the 133 (8.33%; 95%CI [3.6 – 13.0]) dromedaries were positive for anti-DcHEV antibodies. Positive cases had a random geographic distribution (p˃0.05) and all seropositive dromedaries were in close contact with other domestic animals.
 Conclusion: This study highlight the circulation of HEV in West African mammals and specifically in dromedaries. This is the first study reporting HEV circulation in dromedaries in West Africa. Further studies is needed to identify the HEV genotype involved in the dromedary camel infection, and evaluation of potential transmission to dromedary’s care keepers.

First detection of hepatitis E virus in dromedary camels from Iran

“…Similarly, a study conducted in Saudi Arabia found that all infected camels tested with RT-PCR were male (El-Kafrawy et al, 2022). Although our findings support the influence of gender on HEV infection in dromedary camels, some studies such as Li et al (2017) and Ouoba et al (2019) have not found any association between gender and HEV infection (Li et al, 2017;Ouoba et al, 2019).…”

“…( 2017 ) and Ouoba et al. ( 2019 ) have not found any association between gender and HEV infection (Li et al., 2017 ; Ouoba et al., 2019 ). Therefore, further studies on risk factors are required in this regard.…”

“…Moreover, a study in Ethiopia in 2017 concluded that 22.4% of dromedary camel serum samples (55 cases out of 246 serum samples) tested positive for anti‐DcHEV IgG using the ELISA method (Li et al., 2017 ). Studies in 2019 reported that 8.33% of dromedary camels in the Sub‐Sahelian region (three West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) tested positive for anti‐DcHEV IgG using the ELISA kit (Ouoba et al., 2019 ). Moreover, 68.6% of 86 serum samples from dromedary camels in Israel tested positive for anti‐HEV IgG using the ELISA kit.…”

First serological and molecular investigation of hepatitis E virus infection in dromedary camels in Algeria

“…El-Kafrawy et al ( 28 ) and Ouoba et al ( 17 ) could not find any effect of age on HEV seroprevalence in their sampled camels, in contrast to Bassal et al ( 31 ) who recoded a prevalence of 88.9% in camels aged 10 years and more, 56.0% in those of 7 years old and 67.4% in younger ones (3 years old). In addition, Li et al ( 29 ) and Sarani et al ( 36 ) reported young camels of 2 and 3 years old and those less than 2 years old as the most frequently positive (40.0, 36.4, and 100%, respectively).…”

“…All over the world, the seroprevalence of HEV infection in dromedary camels range from 8.3 to 62.9% ( 17 , 18 ). In Algeria, there are about 416.500 camels ( Camelus dromedarius ) raised following three breeding systems (sedentary, nomadic, and transhumant) in 9 Steppic and 8 Saharan provinces ( 19 ), where they occupy a crucial place in sustaining the livelihood of local and nomadic populations by participating to their food security, facilitating their displacements, and providing household incomes.…”