Infectious hepatitis E virus excreted into the vagina

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) persists in the male genital tract that associates with infertility. However, the presence of HEV in the female genital tract is unreported. Vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and cervix uteri were collected to explore the presence of HEV in the female genital tract. HEV RN...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The FASEB journal 2024-03, Vol.38 (5), p.e23500-n/a
Main Authors: Cong, Chao, Xia, Yueping, Gong, Shilin, Li, Tengyuan, Liu, Huichan, Zhong, Guo, Chen, Dongxue, Zhao, Wanqiu, Yu, Wenhai, Yao, Yinjie, Liu, Jiankun, Wei, Daqiao, Cao, Hongcui, Huang, Fen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
female genital tract
hepatitis E virus
vaginal infection
vaginitis
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Summary:Hepatitis E virus (HEV) persists in the male genital tract that associates with infertility. However, the presence of HEV in the female genital tract is unreported. Vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and cervix uteri were collected to explore the presence of HEV in the female genital tract. HEV RNA and/or antigens were detected in the vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and the cervix uteri of women. The infectivity of HEV excreted into vaginal secretions was further validated in vitro. In addition, HEV replicates in the female genital tract were identified in HEV‐infected animal models by vaginal injection or vaginal mucosal infection to imitate sexual transmission. Serious genital tract damage and inflammatory responses with significantly elevated mucosal innate immunity were observed in women or animals with HEV vaginal infection. Results demonstrated HEV replicates in the female genital tract and causes serious histopathological damage and inflammatory responses. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in the male genital tract is associated with infertility. However, the presence of HEV in the female reproductive tract is unclear. In this study, HEV RNA and antigens were detected in the vaginal secretions, cervical smears, and cervix uteri of women, as well as in HEV‐infected animal models. The infectivity of HEV excreted into vaginal secretions was validated in vitro. Animal models established by vaginal injection or vaginal mucosal inoculation exhibited serious histopathological damage and inflammatory responses.
ISSN:0892-6638
1530-6860
DOI:10.1096/fj.202301519RR