Abstract
BackgroundHepatitis E virus (HEV) infects a range of species, including humans, pigs, wild boars and deer. Zoonotic transmission may contribute to the high HEV seroprevalence in the human population of many countries. A novel divergent HEV from moose (Alces alces) in Sweden was recently identified by partial genome sequencing. Since only one strain was found, its classification within the HEV family, prevalence in moose and zoonotic potential was unclear. We therefore investigated samples from 231 moose in seven Swedish counties for HEV, and sequenced a near complete moose HEV genome. Phylogenetic analysis to classify this virus within the family Hepeviridae and to explore potential host specific determinants was performed.Methods and FindingsThe HEV prevalence of moose was determined by PCR (marker for active infection) and serological assays (marker of past infection) of sera and 51 fecal samples from 231 Swedish moose. Markers of active and past infection were found in 67 (29%) animals, while 34 (15%) were positive for HEV RNA, 43 (19%) were seropositive for anti-HEV antibodies, and 10 (4%) had both markers. The number of young individuals positive for HEV RNA was larger than for older individuals, and the number of anti-HEV antibody positive individuals increased with age. The high throughput sequenced moose HEV genome was 35-60% identical to existing HEVs. Partial ORF1 sequences from 13 moose strains showed high similarity among them, forming a distinct monophyletic clade with a common ancestor to HEV genotype 1-6 group, which includes members known for zoonotic transmission.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a high frequency of HEV in moose in Sweden, with markers of current and past infection demonstrated in 30% of the animals. Moose is thus an important animal reservoir of HEV. The phylogenetic relationship demonstrated that the moose HEV belonged to the genotype 1-6 group, which includes strains that also infect humans, and therefore may signify a potential for zoonotic transmission of this HEV.
Highlights
Hepatitis E is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis [1]
This study demonstrates a high frequency of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in moose in Sweden, with markers of current and past infection demonstrated in 30% of the animals
The phylogenetic relationship demonstrated that the moose HEV belonged to the genotype 1-6 group, which includes strains that infect humans, and may signify a potential for zoonotic transmission of this HEV
Summary
Hepatitis E is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis [1]. The disease is generally selflimiting, but immunocompromised patients such as solid organ transplanted or HIV-infected individuals, are at risk to become chronically infected, with rapid development of fibrosis and cirrhosis [1,2]. The infectious agent, hepatitis E virus (HEV), is the only member of the family Hepeviridae in the genus Hepevirus, recently proposed to be renamed to Orthohepevirus [3] or divided into five new genera Orthohepevirus, Rocahepevirus, Chiropteranhepevirus, Avihepevirus and Pishihepevirus [4]. It is a small, non-enveloped virus with a single-stranded, positivesense RNA genome ranging from 6.6–7.3 kb depending on the strain. Phylogenetic analysis to classify this virus within the family Hepeviridae and to explore potential host specific determinants was performed
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