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Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases2006; 7(3); 368-373; doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2006.07.007

Hepatitis E virus infection in work horses in Egypt.

Abstract: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important cause of hepatitis among young Egyptian adults with high seroprevalence rates seen in both rural areas of the Nile Delta and in suburban Cairo. Because natural antibodies to HEV have been detected in animals and zoonotic transmission is postulated, we surveyed work horses in Cairo for evidence of HEV exposure and viremia. Sera from 200 Cairo work horses were tested by ELISA for the presence of IgG anti-HEV antibody revealed a seropositivity of 13%. Among 100 samples processed for detection of viral genome by means of nested polymerase chain reaction (N-PCR), 4% were positive and indicative of viremia. Viremic animals were less than 1 year old. Relative to PCR-negative horses, PCR-positive animals demonstrated significant elevation of AST (p=0.03). Phylogenetic analysis of a 253-bp fragment, in the ORF-1,2,3 overlap region of the HEV genome from the viremic animals showed that three of these viral strains to be identical, and closely related (97-100% nucleotide identity) to two human isolates from Egypt, and distant (78-96%) from 16 other HEV isolates from human and animals and shared 99.6% NI with the fourth strain. The consensus sequence of the four strains was origin obtained elsewhere. These data indicated that horses acquire HEV infection and suggest that cross-species transmission may occur. Whether horses play a role in the transmission of HEV needs further investigation.
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Publication Date: 2006-10-12 PubMed ID: 17046335DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2006.07.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

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 indicates that Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a significant cause of hepatitis in Egypt, is present in working horses in Cairo, suggesting a possible risk of cross-species transmission.

Objective of the research

  • The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and potential zoonotic transmission of Hepatitis E virus in working horses in Cairo, Egypt. Zoonotic transmission refers to the transfer of diseases from animals to humans.

Methodology

  • 200 blood samples were taken from working horses in Cairo for testing.
  • These samples were tested using ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) for the presence of anti-HEV antibodies, an indicator of HEV infection.
  • Half of these samples (100) were also put through N-PCR (Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing to detect the presence of viral genome indicative of viremia, the medical condition where viruses enter the bloodstream and hence have access to the rest of the body.
  • Furthermore, the researchers conducted a phylogenetic analysis on a specific region of the HEV genome from the viremic animals. Phylogenetic analysis is a method used to trace the evolutionary relationships between different species.

Results

  • The study found that 13% of the horses tested positive for IgG anti-HEV antibodies implying HEV exposure.
  • 4% of the samples processed with N-PCR were positive for viral genome hinting occurrence of viremia in the subjects.
  • These viremic animals were less than one year old and showed a significant elevation of AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), an enzyme associated with liver damage, compared to PCR-negative horses.
  • The phylogenetic analysis revealed that three of the viral strains were identical and exhibited close resemblance (97-100% nucleotide identity) with two human HEV strains from Egypt while revealing distant affiliations (78-96%) with 16 other human and animal HEV strains.

Conclusion

  • The research provides evidence that HEV infection can be acquired by horses, indicating potential for cross-species transmission.
  • The role of horses in the transmission of HEV and whether they act as a zoonotic reservoir needs to be further investigated.

Cite This Article

APA
Saad MD, Hussein HA, Bashandy MM, Kamel HH, Earhart KC, Fryauff DJ, Younan M, Mohamed AH. (2006). Hepatitis E virus infection in work horses in Egypt. Infect Genet Evol, 7(3), 368-373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2006.07.007

Publication

Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases
ISSN: 1567-1348
NlmUniqueID: 101084138
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
Pages: 368-373

Researcher Affiliations

Saad, Magdi D
  • Virology Research Program, United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt. DarwishM@namru3.med.navy.mil
Hussein, Hussein A
    Bashandy, Moustafa M
      Kamel, Hamdy H
        Earhart, K C
          Fryauff, David J
            Younan, Mary
              Mohamed, Amira H

                MeSH Terms

                • Adult
                • Animals
                • Antibodies, Viral / blood
                • Egypt / epidemiology
                • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
                • Hepatitis E / epidemiology
                • Hepatitis E / immunology
                • Hepatitis E / virology
                • Hepatitis E virus / classification
                • Hepatitis E virus / genetics
                • Hepatitis E virus / immunology
                • Hepatitis E virus / isolation & purification
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horse Diseases / virology
                • Horses
                • Humans
                • Molecular Sequence Data
                • Phylogeny
                • Polymerase Chain Reaction
                • Zoonoses

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