Sérgio Santos-Silva, Jesús L. Romalde, Jaqueline T. Bento, Andreia V. S. Cruz, Pedro López-López, Helena M. R. Gonçalves, Wim H. M. Van der Poel, Maria S. J. Nascimento, António Rivero-Juarez, João R. Mesquita
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is currently recognized as an emerging problem and a growing concern for public health in developed countries, with HEV infections mainly attributable to foodborne transmission of HEV-3. The zoonotic HEV genotype 3 infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, with swine considered as the primary host. This study investigates the occurrence of HEV among small ruminants in Portugal. The primary aim of the present research was to evaluate the circulation and the potential for HEV infection among sheep and goats. A total of 400 bile samples and 493 blood samples were collected from sheep and goats at a slaughterhouse in the center region of Portugal, between January 2022 and March 2023. The HEV RNA detection in bile samples was performed using a nested broad-spectrum RT-PCR targeting the ORF1 region. Serological analysis to detect anti-HEV antibodies was conducted using a commercial double-antigen sandwich multi-species ELISA. The HEV RNA was not detected in any bile samples using the nested broad-spectrum RT-PCR. Serological analysis revealed an overall HEV antibody seroprevalence of 2% (10/493, 95% CI: 0.98–3.70) among the small ruminants, namely 2.2% in goats and 2.0% in sheep. Curiously, no statistically significant association among the factors, age, sex and species and HEV seroprevalence was observed. Although HEV RNA was not detected in the bile of sheep and goats, this study the evidence of seroprevalence in these small ruminant species. Further research could provide additional insights into the factors influencing HEV transmission dynamics in small ruminants in Portugal and its potential implications for public health.
戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)目前被认为是一个新出现的问题,也是发达国家日益关注的公共卫生问题,戊型肝炎病毒感染主要是由于食源性传播的 HEV-3。人畜共患的 HEV 基因型 3 可感染多种哺乳动物宿主,其中猪被认为是主要宿主。本研究调查了葡萄牙小型反刍动物中 HEV 的发生情况。本研究的主要目的是评估 HEV 在绵羊和山羊中的传播情况和感染的可能性。2022 年 1 月至 2023 年 3 月期间,在葡萄牙中部地区的一家屠宰场共采集了 400 份绵羊和山羊的胆汁样本和 493 份血液样本。胆汁样本中的 HEV RNA 检测采用针对 ORF1 区域的巢式广谱 RT-PCR 方法进行。检测抗 HEV 抗体的血清学分析采用商用双抗原夹心多物种 ELISA 方法进行。使用巢式广谱 RT-PCR 在所有胆汁样本中均未检测到 HEV RNA。血清学分析表明,小反刍动物的 HEV 抗体血清阳性率为 2%(10/493,95% CI:0.98-3.70),其中山羊为 2.2%,绵羊为 2.0%。奇怪的是,年龄、性别和种类等因素与 HEV 血清流行率之间并无明显的统计学关联。虽然在绵羊和山羊的胆汁中没有检测到 HEV RNA,但这项研究证明了这些小型反刍动物的血清流行率。进一步的研究可以让人们更深入地了解影响葡萄牙小型反刍动物 HEV 传播动态的因素及其对公共卫生的潜在影响。
期刊介绍:
Food and Environmental Virology publishes original articles, notes and review articles on any aspect relating to the transmission of pathogenic viruses via the environment (water, air, soil etc.) and foods. This includes epidemiological studies, identification of novel or emerging pathogens, methods of analysis or characterisation, studies on survival and elimination, and development of procedural controls for industrial processes, e.g. HACCP plans. The journal will cover all aspects of this important area, and encompass studies on any human, animal, and plant pathogenic virus which is capable of transmission via the environment or food.