Detection of hepatitis E virus infections among domestic swine in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1995 Sep;53(3):228-32. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1995.53.228.

Abstract

The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections among 55 domestic swine living in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal was investigated. Sera and stool specimens were collected from 47 free-roaming swine and examined for the presence of HEV genomic sequences by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Sera from these animals, as well as sera from eight other swine, were also examined for the presence of HEV-specific antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by a fluorescent antibody blocking assay. Hepatitis E virus RNA was detected in the sera and/or stool of three of 47 swine, while HEV-specific antibodies were detected in 18 of 55 swine. These results indicate that HEV is a zoonotic virus, and that swine are among its natural hosts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / epidemiology
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Hepatitis E / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis E / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis E / transmission
  • Hepatitis E / veterinary*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nepal / epidemiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology
  • Swine Diseases / transmission
  • Zoonoses

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • RNA, Viral