Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from Zambia

While evidence suggests presence of HEV infection in humans in Zambia, currently, there is no information on its occurrence in domestic pigs. Here, we investigated the presence of HEV antibodies and genome in domestic pigs in Zambia. Sera (n = 484) from domestic pigs were screened for antibodies aga...

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Main Authors: Herman M. Chambaro, Michihito Sasaki, Walter Muleya, Masahiro Kajihara, Misheck Shawa, Kabemba E. Mwape, Hayato Harima, Yongjin Qiu, William W. Hall, Paul Fandamu, David Squarre, Edgar Simulundu, Hirofumi Sawa, Yasuko Orba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-01-01
Series:Emerging Microbes and Infections
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22221751.2021.2002669
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author Herman M. Chambaro
Michihito Sasaki
Walter Muleya
Masahiro Kajihara
Misheck Shawa
Kabemba E. Mwape
Hayato Harima
Yongjin Qiu
William W. Hall
Paul Fandamu
David Squarre
Edgar Simulundu
Hirofumi Sawa
Yasuko Orba
author_facet Herman M. Chambaro
Michihito Sasaki
Walter Muleya
Masahiro Kajihara
Misheck Shawa
Kabemba E. Mwape
Hayato Harima
Yongjin Qiu
William W. Hall
Paul Fandamu
David Squarre
Edgar Simulundu
Hirofumi Sawa
Yasuko Orba
author_sort Herman M. Chambaro
collection DOAJ
description While evidence suggests presence of HEV infection in humans in Zambia, currently, there is no information on its occurrence in domestic pigs. Here, we investigated the presence of HEV antibodies and genome in domestic pigs in Zambia. Sera (n = 484) from domestic pigs were screened for antibodies against HEV by ELISA while genome detection in fecal (n = 25) and liver (n = 100) samples from slaughter pigs was conducted using nested RT–PCR assay. Overall, seroprevalence was 47.7% (231/484) while zoonotic genotype 3 HEV RNA was detected in 16.0% (20/125) of slaughtered pigs. This is the first report to highlight occurrence of HEV infection in domestic pigs in Zambia. This finding suggests possible contamination of the pork supply chain. Moreover, there is a potential risk of zoonotic transmission of HEV to abattoir workers, pig farmers and handlers.
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publishDate 2021-01-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
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series Emerging Microbes and Infections
spelling doaj-art-5403431abe7e41b8b13a153d51bcc0762025-08-20T02:59:13ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEmerging Microbes and Infections2222-17512021-01-011012169217210.1080/22221751.2021.2002669Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from ZambiaHerman M. Chambaro0Michihito Sasaki1Walter Muleya2Masahiro Kajihara3Misheck Shawa4Kabemba E. Mwape5Hayato Harima6Yongjin Qiu7William W. Hall8Paul Fandamu9David Squarre10Edgar Simulundu11Hirofumi Sawa12Yasuko Orba13Division of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanDivision of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaDivision of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanDivision of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanDepartment of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaDivision of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanDivision of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanNational Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Dublin, IrelandDepartment of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka, ZambiaDivision of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanDepartment of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, ZambiaDivision of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanDivision of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo, JapanWhile evidence suggests presence of HEV infection in humans in Zambia, currently, there is no information on its occurrence in domestic pigs. Here, we investigated the presence of HEV antibodies and genome in domestic pigs in Zambia. Sera (n = 484) from domestic pigs were screened for antibodies against HEV by ELISA while genome detection in fecal (n = 25) and liver (n = 100) samples from slaughter pigs was conducted using nested RT–PCR assay. Overall, seroprevalence was 47.7% (231/484) while zoonotic genotype 3 HEV RNA was detected in 16.0% (20/125) of slaughtered pigs. This is the first report to highlight occurrence of HEV infection in domestic pigs in Zambia. This finding suggests possible contamination of the pork supply chain. Moreover, there is a potential risk of zoonotic transmission of HEV to abattoir workers, pig farmers and handlers.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22221751.2021.2002669Hepatitis E virusgenotype 3seroprevalencedomestic pigZambia
spellingShingle Herman M. Chambaro
Michihito Sasaki
Walter Muleya
Masahiro Kajihara
Misheck Shawa
Kabemba E. Mwape
Hayato Harima
Yongjin Qiu
William W. Hall
Paul Fandamu
David Squarre
Edgar Simulundu
Hirofumi Sawa
Yasuko Orba
Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from Zambia
Emerging Microbes and Infections
Hepatitis E virus
genotype 3
seroprevalence
domestic pig
Zambia
title Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from Zambia
title_full Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from Zambia
title_fullStr Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from Zambia
title_full_unstemmed Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from Zambia
title_short Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from Zambia
title_sort hepatitis e virus infection in pigs a first report from zambia
topic Hepatitis E virus
genotype 3
seroprevalence
domestic pig
Zambia
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22221751.2021.2002669
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