Molecular Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Tibetan Swine
Molecular Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Tibetan Swine
Gong Ga1,2 and SuoLang Sizhu2,*
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a major potential public health problem in the world. HEV is also highly endemic in China. However, information is lacking on the prevalence of HEV infection in swine in Tibet of China, where raw pork and mixed farming of different species of domestic animals are consumed traditionally. In this study, 173 serum samples of Tibetan swine were tested for anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies by the ELISA. HEV RNA were measured in feces (n=173), serum (n=173) and tissue ((including liver, spleen, kidney and intestine, n=21) by nested RT-PCR and qRT-PCR. HEV antigens were detected in tissues by immunohistochemistry analysis. Overall, we found that that eight serum samples (4.6%, 8/173) were positive to anti-HEV IgM antibody and Seventeen serum sample (9.8%, 17/173) were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibody. The HEV RNA positive rate was of 4.6% (8/173) in feces and serum. Moreover, the prevalence of HEV RNA was 9.5% (2/21) in swine liver, 4.8% (1/21) in swine spleen, 9.5% (2/21) in swine kidney, 4.8% (1/21) in swine intestine and 14.3% (3/21) in swine pork. HEV antigens were abundantly observed in the portal of liver, medulla of spleen, glomeruli of kidney and villi of intestine of HEV infected swine. In conclusion, HEV was prevalent with high rate in swine population in Tibet province.
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August 2020
Vol. 52, Iss. 4, Pages 1225-1630
