Whole Genome Sequencing Characterization of HEV3-e and HEV3-f Subtypes among the Wild Boar Population in the Abruzzo Region, Italy: First Report

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent zoonotic pathogen, causing worldwide acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. HEV comprises eight genotypes and several subtypes. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 (HEV3 and HEV4) are zoonotic. In Italy, the most part of HEV infections (80%) is due to autochthonous HEV3 circ...

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Published in:Microorganisms (Basel) 2020-09, Vol.8 (9), p.1393
Main Authors: Aprea, Giuseppe, Scattolini, Silvia, D’Angelantonio, Daniela, Chiaverini, Alexandra, Di Lollo, Valeria, Olivieri, Sabrina, Marcacci, Maurilia, Mangone, Iolanda, Salucci, Stefania, Antoci, Salvatore, Cammà, Cesare, Di Pasquale, Adriano, Migliorati, Giacomo, Pomilio, Francesco
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Disease hot spots
Gene sequencing
Genomes
Genotypes
Hepatitis
hepatitis E (HEV) virus
Infections
Liver
Meat
Phylogenetics
Pork
public health
Ribonucleic acid
RNA
Viruses
whole genome sequence (WGS)
Whole genome sequencing
Wild animals
wild boar
Zoonoses
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Summary:Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent zoonotic pathogen, causing worldwide acute and chronic hepatitis in humans. HEV comprises eight genotypes and several subtypes. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 (HEV3 and HEV4) are zoonotic. In Italy, the most part of HEV infections (80%) is due to autochthonous HEV3 circulation of the virus, and the key role played by wild animals is generally accepted. Abruzzo is an Italian region officially considered an HEV “hot spot”, with subtype HEV3-c being up to now the only one reported among wild boars. During the year 2018–2019, a group of wild boars in Abruzzo were screened for HEV; positive RNA liver samples were subjected to HEV characterization by using the whole genome sequencing (WGS) approach methodology. This represents the first report about the detection of HEV-3 subtypes e and f in the wild boar population in this area. Since in Italy human infections from HEV 3-e and f have been associated with pork meat consumption, our findings deserve more in-depth analysis with the aim of evaluating any potential correlation between wild animals, the pork chain production and HEV human infections.
ISSN:2076-2607
2076-2607
DOI:10.3390/microorganisms8091393