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One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)2023; 17; 100619; doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100619

Epidemiological survey and risk factors associated with Paslahepevirus balayani in equines in Europe.

Abstract: (HEV) is an important emerging zoonotic virus in Europe. Although domestic pigs and wild boar are the main reservoirs of this pathogen, susceptibility to this virus has been confirmed in a growing number of animal species, including equines. However, their role in the epidemiology of this virus remains poorly understood. Our aim was to assess HEV circulation and identify potential risk factors associated with exposure in equid species in different European countries. A total of 596 equines, including 496 horses, 63 donkeys and 37 mules/hinnies bred in four European countries (Spain, Italy, United Kingdom and Ireland) were sampled. Thirty-three animals (5.5%; 95%CI: 3.7-7.4) had anti-HEV antibodies. Seropositivity was found in 4.6% of horses, 11.1% of donkeys and 8.1% of mules/hinnies tested. By country, 6.3%, 5.4%, 5.0% and 4.0% of the equines sampled in Spain, Italy, United Kingdom and Ireland, respectively, were seropositive, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that "species" and "drinking water from ponds and streams" were potential risk factors associated with HEV seropositivity in equines in Europe. HEV RNA was not detected in any (0.0%; 95%CI: 0.0-1.8) of the 202 equines tested. Our results provide evidence of a low, spatially homogeneous and widespread viral circulation that is not equal across species in equid populations in the European countries analyzed and indicate that these species appear to play a limited role in the epidemiology of this virus. Further studies are required to elucidate the differences in seroprevalence between donkeys, mules/hinnies and horses and to determine the risk of zoonotic transmission of this pathogen from equid species.
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-22 PubMed ID: 38024277PubMed Central: PMC10665168DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100619Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper is focused on investigating the presence and potential risk factors related to the Paslahepevirus balayani virus (HEV) in horses, donkeys, and mules in four European countries.

Overview of the Study

  • This study is centered on the Paslahepevirus balayani virus (HEV), which has been identified as an emerging zoonotic (can be transmitted from animals to humans) virus in Europe.
  • The primary reservoirs of this pathogen are domestic pigs and wild boars; however, other animals like equines (horses, donkeys, mules) have shown susceptibility.
  • The role of these equines in the virus’ epidemiology is not yet thoroughly understood, making this research significant.

Objective and Methodology

  • The primary aim of the research was to identify how much the HEV is present in different equine species in Europe and pinpoint potential risk factors for exposure.
  • The study relied on sampling 596 equine species including 496 horses, 63 donkeys, and 37 mules/hinnies from Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Detection of the Virus and Risk Factors

  • The study found that 33 animals i.e., 5.5% of the sample, had anti-HEV antibodies; 4.6% were horses, 11.1% were donkeys, and 8.1% were mules/hinnies.
  • Statistical analysis also hinted at potential risk factors for the spread of the virus among equine species. “Species” being a risk factor in itself might indicate different susceptibility levels among horses, donkeys, and mules/hinnies.
  • The second risk factor was the source of drinking water, with drinking water from ponds and streams being particularly risky. This could be due to the possibility that these water sources may get contaminated easily, enabling the spread of the virus.

Conclusion and Further Research

  • No equine specimen showed the presence of HEV RNA among those tested, suggesting a limited role of horses, donkeys, and mules in the virus’ epidemiology.
  • The study points to a low, yet widespread, and spatially homogeneous rate of viral circulation among equine species in analyzed European countries.
  • Given the difference in seroprevalence (the level of a pathogen in a population as measured in blood serum) among different equine species, further research is necessary to understand why this is so and to evaluate the exact risk of zoonotic transmission of the virus from these species.

Cite This Article

APA
Caballero-Gómez J, Rivero-Juárez A, Cano-Terriza D, Fajardo T, Buono F, Jose-Cunilleras E, García J, Alguacil E, Rivero A, García-Bocanegra I. (2023). Epidemiological survey and risk factors associated with Paslahepevirus balayani in equines in Europe. One Health, 17, 100619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100619

Publication

One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
ISSN: 2352-7714
NlmUniqueID: 101660501
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 17
Pages: 100619
PII: 100619

Researcher Affiliations

Caballero-Gómez, Javier
  • Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
Rivero-Juárez, Antonio
  • Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
Cano-Terriza, David
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
Fajardo, Tomás
  • Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
Buono, Francesco
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Jose-Cunilleras, Eduard
  • Servei de Medicina Interna Equina, Departament de Medicina Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
García, Jesús
  • Fethard Equine Hospital, Tipperary, Ireland.
Alguacil, Eduardo
  • Uplands Way Vets, Diss, UK.
Rivero, Antonio
  • Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
García-Bocanegra, Ignacio
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación GISAZ, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
  • CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors of this study has a financial or personal relationship with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

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