Abstract
The most important wildlife species in the epidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are wild boars, which are also the main reservoir of the virus in a sylvatic environment. The aim of the study was a serological and molecular assessment of the prevalence of HEV infections in wild boars in Poland. In total, 470 pairs of samples (wild boar blood and livers) and 433 samples of faeces were tested. An ELISA (ID.vet, France) was used for serological analysis. For the detection of HEV RNA, real-time (RT)-qPCR was employed. The presence of specific anti-HEV IgG antibodies was found in 232 (49.4%; 95%CI: 44.7–54%) sera, with regional differences observed in the seroprevalence of infections. HEV RNA was detected in 57 (12.1%, 95%CI: 9.3–15.4%) livers and in 27 (6.2%, 95%CI: 4.1–8.9%) faecal samples, with the viral load ranging from 1.4 to 1.7 × 1011 G.C./g and 38 to 9.3 × 107 G.C./mL, respectively. A correlation between serological and molecular results of testing of wild boars infected with HEV was shown. HEV infections in wild boars appeared to be common in Poland.
Highlights
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) belongs to the Hepeviridae family and causes infections in humans and animals
A significantly lower percentage of seropositive animals compared to the average country seroprevalence (49.4%; 95%CI: 44.7–54.0%) was found in Regional Directorates of State Forests (RDSFs) Kraków (10%, 95%CI: 0.2–44.5%) and Lublin (27%, 95%CI: 13.8–44.1%)
The results of this study provide comprehensive data on the occurrence of HEV infections in the population of wild boars in Poland
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) belongs to the Hepeviridae family and causes infections in humans and animals. Based on the genome analysis of different HEV strains, eight virus genotypes (gt) were identified [1]. In Europe, infections in livestock and wildlife are primarily caused by HEV gt 3 strains [6,7,8]. The most important wildlife in the epidemiology of HEV infections in a sylvatic environment are wild boar and several deer species [9,10,11]. The preliminary results of the occurrence of HEV infections in wild-living animals in selected regions of Poland confirmed infections only in wild boars [12,13]
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