First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia
Abstract Background Hepatitis E is an enteric and zoonotic disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) that is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or the environment. The virus is an emerging infectious agent causing acute human infection worldwide. A high seropreval...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Virology Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-021-01626-9 |
| _version_ | 1818608891237236736 |
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| author | Fufa Dawo Bari Haimanot Belete Wodaje Umer Said Hika Waktole Melaku Sombo Samson Leta Tesfaye Rufael Chibsa Paul Plummer |
| author_facet | Fufa Dawo Bari Haimanot Belete Wodaje Umer Said Hika Waktole Melaku Sombo Samson Leta Tesfaye Rufael Chibsa Paul Plummer |
| author_sort | Fufa Dawo Bari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Hepatitis E is an enteric and zoonotic disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) that is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or the environment. The virus is an emerging infectious agent causing acute human infection worldwide. A high seroprevalence of the disease was reported in pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, raising significant public health concern. The presence of HEV specific antibodies were also reported in dromedary camels in the country; however, the infectious virus and/or the viral genome have not been demonstrated to date in animal samples. Methods To address this gap, a total of 95 faecal samples collected from both apparently healthy pigs of uncharacterised types (50 samples) in Burayu and Addis Ababa areas and camels (Camelus dromedarius, 45 samples) in west Hararghe were screened for the presence of HEV genome using universal primers in a fully nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). The protocol is capable of detecting HEV in faecal samples from both pigs and camels. Results The nRT-PCR detected HEV genes in six (12%) pig faecal samples and one camel sample (2.2%). Therefore, the results indicate that HEV is circulating in both pigs and camels in Ethiopia and these animals and their products could serve as a potential source of infection for humans. Conclusion The detection of HEV in both animals could raise another concern regarding its public health importance as both animals’ meat and camel milk are consumed in the country. Further studies to determine the prevalence and distribution of the virus in different animals and their products, water bodies, food chain, and vegetables are warranted, along with viral gene sequencing for detailed genetic characterisation of the isolates circulating in the country. This information is critically important to design and institute appropriate control and/or preventive measures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T14:49:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7e2b657b7abb462ea29fafcc09dbf884 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1743-422X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T14:49:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Virology Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-7e2b657b7abb462ea29fafcc09dbf8842022-12-21T22:27:37ZengBMCVirology Journal1743-422X2021-08-011811710.1186/s12985-021-01626-9First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in EthiopiaFufa Dawo Bari0Haimanot Belete Wodaje1Umer Said2Hika Waktole3Melaku Sombo4Samson Leta5Tesfaye Rufael Chibsa6Paul Plummer7Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa UniversityNational Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation CenterDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa UniversityNational Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation CenterDepartment of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State UniversityAbstract Background Hepatitis E is an enteric and zoonotic disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) that is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or the environment. The virus is an emerging infectious agent causing acute human infection worldwide. A high seroprevalence of the disease was reported in pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, raising significant public health concern. The presence of HEV specific antibodies were also reported in dromedary camels in the country; however, the infectious virus and/or the viral genome have not been demonstrated to date in animal samples. Methods To address this gap, a total of 95 faecal samples collected from both apparently healthy pigs of uncharacterised types (50 samples) in Burayu and Addis Ababa areas and camels (Camelus dromedarius, 45 samples) in west Hararghe were screened for the presence of HEV genome using universal primers in a fully nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). The protocol is capable of detecting HEV in faecal samples from both pigs and camels. Results The nRT-PCR detected HEV genes in six (12%) pig faecal samples and one camel sample (2.2%). Therefore, the results indicate that HEV is circulating in both pigs and camels in Ethiopia and these animals and their products could serve as a potential source of infection for humans. Conclusion The detection of HEV in both animals could raise another concern regarding its public health importance as both animals’ meat and camel milk are consumed in the country. Further studies to determine the prevalence and distribution of the virus in different animals and their products, water bodies, food chain, and vegetables are warranted, along with viral gene sequencing for detailed genetic characterisation of the isolates circulating in the country. This information is critically important to design and institute appropriate control and/or preventive measures.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-021-01626-9Dromedary camelsHepatitis E virusNested RT-PCRPigsEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Fufa Dawo Bari Haimanot Belete Wodaje Umer Said Hika Waktole Melaku Sombo Samson Leta Tesfaye Rufael Chibsa Paul Plummer First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia Virology Journal Dromedary camels Hepatitis E virus Nested RT-PCR Pigs Ethiopia |
| title | First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia |
| title_full | First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia |
| title_short | First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia |
| title_sort | first molecular detection of hepatitis e virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in ethiopia |
| topic | Dromedary camels Hepatitis E virus Nested RT-PCR Pigs Ethiopia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-021-01626-9 |
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