Virological and epidemiological profile of hepatitis E virus in swine and professionally exposed individuals: contributions to One Health in Cuba
Keywords:
hepatitis E virus, occupational exposure, risk factorsAbstract
Introduction: Surveillance of hepatitis E virus in risk groups is important to timely detect its epidemiological and virological pattern changes; due to zoonotic behavior.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis E virus infections in pigs and humans working with swine from three provinces of the country and to identify associated risk factors and the circulating viral genotype.
Methods: They were studied in total 248 exposed individuals and another group of non-exposed individuals composed of 285 persons. Likewise, they were collected clinical samples from pigs (187 sera). They were used for serological tests ELISAs IgG and IgM anti-hepatitis E virus (humans) and total anti-hepatitis E virus (pigs). They were assessed RT-PCR, nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis for genotyping. It was administered an epidemiological survey to all workers who consented to participate in the study. This research was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.
Results: Overall, anti-HEV in exposed individuals was statistically significant, compared to non-exposed individuals, 28.2% (70/248) vs. 8.7% (25/285); p < 0.001. Anti-HEV IgM was detected in 11.7% (29/248) of workers; and total anti-hepatitis E virus was identified in 88.2% (165/187) of pigs. Age, time working with pigs, distance between residence and pig farming establishments were related to hepatitis E virus seropositivity in workers. hepatitis E virus genotype 3, subtype 3a was identified in pigs from the west of the country.
Conclusion: The highest seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus in individuals exposed to pigs could be associated with an enzootic pattern of hepatitis E virus in Cuba.
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