High frequency of hepatitis E virus antibody detection in pigs from farms in Córdoba province
The infection caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. HEV genotypes 3 (HEV-3) and 4 (HEV-4) are zoonotic and predominant in pig and wild boar populations, which act as reservoirs. HEV can be transmitted from these animals to humans through the cons...
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , |
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| Formato: | Artículo revista |
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Universidad Nacional Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Secretaria de Ciencia y Tecnología
2022
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| Acceso en línea: | https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/med/article/view/39156 |
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| Sumario: | The infection caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. HEV genotypes 3 (HEV-3) and 4 (HEV-4) are zoonotic and predominant in pig and wild boar populations, which act as reservoirs. HEV can be transmitted from these animals to humans through the consumption of contaminated derived products or by direct contact with infected animals. Therefore, the research of zoonotic pathogens aims to safeguard human and animal health and ensure safe food. In Argentina, HEV circulation in pigs, wild boars, environmental matrices, and sporadic cases in humans have been reported. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of HEV antibody detection in pig farms in Córdoba province.
The presence of total anti-HEV antibodies was analyzed by ELISA (HEV Ab Ultra, Diapro) in 276 sera from pigs between 3 and 6 months of age. The samples were obtained from 37 farms for food production, belonging to 9 departments of the province of Córdoba (50% of them were in the department of Río Cuarto) and were collected from June to September/2019 (n=178) and October to December/2020 (n=98). To assess association, Pearson's χ² tests were performed and a value of p<0.05 was used as the criterion of statistical significance.
The global detection frequency was 80.1% (221/276), being similar in both periods (79.2% vs 81.6%; p=0.63) and between the departments studied (range: 73.6% -100%, p=0.20). From the total farms analyzed, 91.9% (34/37) had animals with anti-HEV antibodies.
A high frequency of anti-HEV antibodies was detected in pigs from Córdoba, with a homogeneous distribution throughout the province, coinciding with previous studies in other regions of the country. Seropositivity in young pigs indicates an early exposure to HEV, and positions them as a viral reservoir and possible source of infection for the exposed population, both animals and humans (by direct contact or consumption of raw or undercooked meat from infected animals). These studies will continue to broaden the results and investigate the presence of the virus in pig-derived foods. |
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