Identification of a zoonotic genotype 3 hepatitis E subtype in wildlife in north-eastern Italy

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonosis caused by a positive RNA single stranded virus of the Hepeviridae family. In developed countries, pigs and wild boars are the main reservoir for zoonotic genotypes 3 and 4. In spring 2017, for the first time HEV was detected in wild boars captured in t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infection, genetics and evolution genetics and evolution, 2019-07, Vol.71, p.16-20
Main Authors: Zecchin, B., Schivo, A., Milani, A., Fusaro, A., Zamperin, G., Bellinati, L., Ceglie, L., Natale, A., Bonfanti, L., Cunial, G., Obber, F., Di Bartolo, I., Citterio, C., Monne, I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Wild - virology
Farms
Genome, Viral
Genotype 3
Hepatitis E - transmission
Hepatitis E - veterinary
Hepatitis E virus
Hepatitis E virus - genetics
Italy
North-eastern Italy
Phylogeny
Sus scrofa - virology
Swine
Swine Diseases - virology
Wild boar
Zoonoses - transmission
Zoonoses - virology
Zoonosis
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Summary:Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonosis caused by a positive RNA single stranded virus of the Hepeviridae family. In developed countries, pigs and wild boars are the main reservoir for zoonotic genotypes 3 and 4. In spring 2017, for the first time HEV was detected in wild boars captured in the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills, in north-eastern Italy. Phylogenetic analysis of two complete viral genomes and seven partial ORF1 and ORF2 sequences of HEV viruses, selected from twelve positive animals, showed that the viruses grouped together within genotype 3 but clustered separately from previously identified subtypes, thus suggesting the identification of a novel genotype 3 subtype. The phylogenetic analysis of nine partial ORF2 sequences showed the closest similarity with wild boar/human viruses identified in central-northern Italy in 2012. The circulation of HEVs in this area, characterized by a vast man-made environment, an overpopulation of wild boars and >150 swine farms, should be considered in a public health perspective. Further investigations at the wild/domestic species and human interface are therefore necessary to gain a deeper understanding of HEV dynamics. •Zoonotic genotype 3 hepatitis E virus detected in wild boars in north-eastern Italy.•Phylogenetic analyses of 2 complete genomes and 7 partial ORF1 and ORF2 sequences.•The Italian hepatitis E viruses cluster separately from previously described subtypes.
ISSN:1567-1348
1567-7257
DOI:10.1016/j.meegid.2019.03.005