Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in Australia
In 2020, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was detected for the first time in Australian rabbits. To improve our understanding of the genetic diversity and distribution of the virus, 1635 rabbit liver samples from locations across Australia were screened via RT-qPCR for HEV. HEV genomes were amplified and seq...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/12/1637 |
| _version_ | 1797501620594933760 |
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| author | Maria Jenckel Ina Smith Tegan King Peter West Patrick L. Taggart Tanja Strive Robyn N. Hall |
| author_facet | Maria Jenckel Ina Smith Tegan King Peter West Patrick L. Taggart Tanja Strive Robyn N. Hall |
| author_sort | Maria Jenckel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In 2020, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was detected for the first time in Australian rabbits. To improve our understanding of the genetic diversity and distribution of the virus, 1635 rabbit liver samples from locations across Australia were screened via RT-qPCR for HEV. HEV genomes were amplified and sequenced from 48 positive samples. Furthermore, we tested 380 serum samples from 11 locations across Australia for antibodies against HEV. HEV was detected in rabbits from all states and territories, except the Northern Territory. Seroprevalence varied between locations (from 0% to 22%), demonstrating that HEV is widely distributed in rabbit populations across Australia. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Australian HEV sequences are genetically diverse and that HEV was likely introduced into Australia independently on several occasions. In summary, this study broadens our understanding of the genetic diversity of rabbit HEV globally and shows that the virus is endemic in both domestic and wild rabbit populations in Australia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:21:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1868ad260d5c44b8b3cfec094f888760 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:21:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-1868ad260d5c44b8b3cfec094f8887602023-11-23T10:01:50ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172021-12-011012163710.3390/pathogens10121637Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in AustraliaMaria Jenckel0Ina Smith1Tegan King2Peter West3Patrick L. Taggart4Tanja Strive5Robyn N. Hall6CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT 2601, AustraliaCSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT 2601, AustraliaCSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT 2601, AustraliaNew South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange 2800, AustraliaCentre for Invasive Species Solutions, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, AustraliaCSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT 2601, AustraliaCSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT 2601, AustraliaIn 2020, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was detected for the first time in Australian rabbits. To improve our understanding of the genetic diversity and distribution of the virus, 1635 rabbit liver samples from locations across Australia were screened via RT-qPCR for HEV. HEV genomes were amplified and sequenced from 48 positive samples. Furthermore, we tested 380 serum samples from 11 locations across Australia for antibodies against HEV. HEV was detected in rabbits from all states and territories, except the Northern Territory. Seroprevalence varied between locations (from 0% to 22%), demonstrating that HEV is widely distributed in rabbit populations across Australia. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Australian HEV sequences are genetically diverse and that HEV was likely introduced into Australia independently on several occasions. In summary, this study broadens our understanding of the genetic diversity of rabbit HEV globally and shows that the virus is endemic in both domestic and wild rabbit populations in Australia.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/12/1637hepeviridaerabbitsgenomic epidemiologyseroepidemiologyLuminexserology |
| spellingShingle | Maria Jenckel Ina Smith Tegan King Peter West Patrick L. Taggart Tanja Strive Robyn N. Hall Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in Australia Pathogens hepeviridae rabbits genomic epidemiology seroepidemiology Luminex serology |
| title | Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in Australia |
| title_full | Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in Australia |
| title_fullStr | Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in Australia |
| title_short | Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis E Virus in Wild and Domestic Rabbits in Australia |
| title_sort | distribution and genetic diversity of hepatitis e virus in wild and domestic rabbits in australia |
| topic | hepeviridae rabbits genomic epidemiology seroepidemiology Luminex serology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/12/1637 |
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