Hepatitis E virus transmission from wild boar meat

We investigated a case of hepatitis E acquired after persons ate wild boar meat. Genotype 3 hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA was detected in both patient serum and wild boar meat. These findings provided direct evidence of zoonotic foodborne transmission of HEV from a wild boar to a human.     

急性散发性戊型肝炎的临床和流行病学特点分析

目的 探讨急性散发性戊型肝炎临床和流行病学特点。方法 收集我国6城市传染病院或综合医院传染科急性散发性肝炎729例,应用酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测抗-HAVIgM、HBsAg、抗-HBcIgM、抗-HCV和抗-HEV.结果 729例急性散发性肝炎中,12.3%(90/729)为戊型肝炎。93.3%(84/90)急性散发性戊型肝炎患者的年龄为20～59岁。男性多于女性,男女之比为5:1.80%(72/90)病例发生在上年11月至次年5月。在发病前2月内,47.6%(40/84)患者有在外就餐史,32.1%(27/84)有出差史,22.6%(19/84)有饮生水史。随访84例患者,2例(2.4%)死亡,82例(97.6%)康复,无一例发展为慢性。结论 在急性散发性肝炎中,戊型肝炎占12.3%,其主要临床和流行病学特点类似流行性戊型肝炎。     

Hepatitis E virus infection in HIV-infected persons

To determine whether hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a cause of hepatitis among HIV-infected persons, we evaluated 1985-2009 data for US military beneficiaries. Evidence of acute or prior HEV infection was detected for 7 (4%) and 5 (3%) of 194 HIV-infected persons, respectively. HEV might be a cause of acute hepatitis among HIV-infected persons.     

Genotype Distribution and Sequence Variation of Hepatitis E Virus, Hong Kong

Most acute cases of infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Hong Kong were autochthonous, sporadic, and occurred in older adults. All except 1 isolate belonged to genotype 4; most were phylogenetically related to swine isolates. The epidemiology is similar to that in industrialized countries, where zoonosis is the major source of HEV infection in humans.     

Hepatitis E Epidemic, Uganda

In October 2007, an epidemic of hepatitis E was suspected in Kitgum District of northern Uganda where no previous epidemics had been documented. This outbreak has progressed to become one of the largest hepatitis E outbreaks in the world. By June 2009, the epidemic had caused illness in >10,196 persons and 160 deaths.     

Possible zoonotic transmission of hepatitis E from pet pig to its owner

Hepatitis E is transmitted mainly by water or food, but in industrialized countries, all routes of transmission have not been identified. We describe possible zoonotic transmission of hepatitis E virus that involved direct contact between a pet pig and its owner.     

Hepatitis E infections, Victoria, Australia

In the first half of 2004, acute hepatitis E virus infections diagnosed in Victoria, Australia, increased 7-fold. Of the interviewed patients with highly reactive serologic results, 90% reported recent clinically compatible illness and overseas travel. The increase is compared with a background of exposure in countries in which hepatitis E is endemic.     

Analysis of Avian Hepatitis E Virus from Chickens, China

Avian hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been identified in chickens; however, only 4 complete or near-complete genomic sequences have been reported. We found that the near-complete genomic sequence of avian HEV in chickens from China shared the highest identity (98.3%) with avian HEV from Europe and belonged to avian HEV genotype 3.     

Hepatitis E Virus Outbreak in Monkey Facility,Japan

An outbreak of hepatitis E virus occurred in an outdoor monkey breeding facility in Japan during 2004–2006. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this virus was genotype 3. This virus was experimentally transmitted to a cynomolgus monkey. Precautions should be taken by facility personnel who work with monkeys to prevent infection.     

浙江省农村人群戊型肝炎感染状况的研究

目的　调查浙江省农村地区戊型肝炎的感染情况、流行特征及牲畜的饲养情况与戊型肝炎病毒感染的关系。方法　 2 0 0 3年 ,在浙江省北部农村地区以整群抽样的方法普查某行政村 85 0名 7岁以上健康人群 ,用ELISA法检测该人群中HEV -IgG ,HEV -IgM抗体水平 ,同时调查相关的危险因素。 结果　在调查的 85 0名健康人群中 ,抗HEV -IgG ,抗HEV -IgM阳性者分虽为 394例和 2 6例 ,人群总感染率分别为 4 6 35 %和 3 0 6 %。在 394例抗HEV -IgG阳性者中有男性 2 2 2例 ,女性为 172例 ,男女的感染率分别为 5 3 6 2 %和 39 4 5 % ,HEV感染和性别明显相关 (P <0 0 0 1)。戊肝感染可见于各个年龄段 ,但流行分布不平衡 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 0 0 1)。随着年龄的增长感染率有上升的趋势 ,但是到 4 5～ 5 5岁年龄组戊肝感染率保持在一个稳定水平。 2 5岁以下及以上人群的感染率分别为15 2 2 %和 5 2 88%。结论　浙江省农村地区的戊型肝炎病毒感染率明显高于国内已报道其他地区。戊型肝炎病毒感染与性别年龄显著相关 ,男性戊肝病毒感染率高于女性 ,随着年龄的增长感染率也上升 ,到一定年龄达到稳定水平。     

Detection and phylogenetic characterization of human hepatitis E virus strains, Czech Republic

To determine the origin of hepatitis E virus in the Czech Republic, we analyzed patient clinical samples. Five isolates of genotypes 3e, 3f, and 3g were obtained. Their genetic relatedness with Czech strains from domestic pigs and wild boars and patient recollections suggest an autochthonous source likely linked to consumption of contaminated pork.     

Hepatitis E virus infection in sheltered homeless persons, France

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among sheltered homeless persons in Marseille, France, we retrospectively tested 490 such persons. A total of 11.6% had immunoglobulin (Ig) G and 2.5% had IgM against HEV; 1 person had HEV genotype 3f. Injection drug use was associated with IgG against HEV.     

Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in humans and Swine, Bolivia

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in persons in 2 rural communities in southeastern Bolivia and the presence of HEV in human and swine fecal samples. HEV seroprevalence was 6.3%, and HEV genotype 3 strains with high sequence homology were detected.     

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A and E Viruses Based on the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey in Korea

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Korea during 2005.

Methods

Study subjects were selected from across Korea using a stratified multistage probability sampling design, and HAV and HEV seroprevalence was compared on the basis of sex, age, and residency. A total of 497 rural and urban people aged 10–99 years of age (mean ± SD age = 28.87 ± 17.63 years) were selected by two-stage cluster sampling and tested serologically for anti-HAV and anti-HEV IgG using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Among this population, the overall seroprevalence of HAV was 63.80% (55.21% aged in their 20s and 95.92% in their 30s, p < 0.01) and that of HEV was 9.40% (5.21% aged in their 20s and 7.14% in their 30s, p < 0.01). Seroprevalence also varied according to area of residence. HEV prevalence in rural areas was higher than that of urban regions based on the anti-HEV antibody, odds ratio 3.22 (95% confidence interval: 1.46–7.10, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between male and female against anti-HAV/HEV antibodies.

Conclusion

Our study suggested that the seropositive rates of HAV and HEV might be related to age and environmental conditions.     

Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 4 Outbreak,Italy, 2011

During 2011, 5 persons in the area of Lazio, Italy were infected with a monophyletic strain of hepatitis E virus that showed high sequence homology with isolates from swine in China. Detection of this genotype in Italy parallels findings in other countries in Europe, signaling the possible spread of strains new to Western countries.     

Fulminant Transfusion-Associated Hepatitis E Virus Infection Despite Screening,England, 2016–2020

In England, all blood donations are screened in pools of 24 by nucleic acid test (NAT) for hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA. During 2016–2020, this screening successfully identified and intercepted 1,727 RNA-positive donations. However, review of previous donations from infected platelet donors identified 9 donations in which HEV RNA detection was missed, of which 2 resulted in confirmed transmission: 1 infection resolved with ribavirin treatment, and 1 proceeded to fatal multiorgan failure within a month from infection. Residual risk calculations predict that over the 5-year study period, HEV RNA detection was missed by minipool NAT in 12–23 platelet and 177–354 whole-blood donations, but transmission risk remains undetermined. Although screening has been able to largely eliminate infectious HEV from the blood supply in England, missed detection of low levels of HEV RNA in donated blood can lead to a severe, even fulminant, infection in recipients and could be prevented by more sensitive screening.     

Novel Hepatitis E Virus Genotype in Norway Rats, Germany

Human hepatitis E virus infections may be caused by zoonotic transmission of virus genotypes 3 and 4. To determine whether rodents are a reservoir, we analyzed the complete nucleotide sequence of a hepatitis E–like virus from 2 Norway rats in Germany. The sequence suggests a separate genotype for this hepatotropic virus.