First report of HEV-3 subtypes e and f in the wild boar population in Abruzzo region, Italy

Abstract

Abstract Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen and wild boars are recognised as reservoirs. HEV is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide and it is usually transmitted by faecal-oral route. EU reported more than 21.000 human cases over the last 10 years (1). At the present, HEV comprises 8 genotypes and several subtypes. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 (HEV-3 and HEV-4) are zoonotic. This is the first report of HEV-3 subtype e and f in the wild boar population in Abruzzo region. Methods During the hunting season 2018-2019, liver samples from wild boars were analysed using Real Time RT-PCR for the detection of HEV RNA. Among these, positive sample were subjected to Whole Genome Sequencing for genotyping. After the quality check, reads were mapped using the nearest identified ref. sequence (KU176129) and the resulting HEV RNA sequences have been analysed using HEV net (open source software). Results Overall, 40 samples were tested positive for the detection of HEV RNA. Among these, 19 samples, with a Ct value ≤ 38, were selected for phylogenetic analysis. All RNA viral samples belonged to HEV-3. In particular, 2 RNA viral samples belonged to subtype e and 1 to subtype f. The others, instead, belonged to HEV-3 subtype c. Conclusions Up to now, only HEV-3 subtype c has been reported among wild boars in Abruzzo, an Italian region officially recognized as an HEV hot spot because of the high number of human cases and for the strong sero-prevalence among blood donors. In this study, we report for the first time the presence of HEV-3 subtypes e and f in the wild boar population of this area. Since HEV-3 subtypes e and f are commonly associated to human disease from consumption of raw/undercooked pork meats, these findings suggest the potential risk also associated with the consumption of wild boar meat. Nevertheless, this speculation needs further investigations. 1.EFSA (2017). Public health risks associated with HEV as a food-borne pathogen. E. Jou., 15(7) Key messages First report of the presence of HEV-3 subtypes e and f among wild boar population in Abruzzo region. Potential risk for human health of HEV transmission associated with raw/undercooked wild boar meat consumption.