Molecular identification and characterization of nonprimate hepaciviruses in equines.

This research article discusses the identification and characterization of nonprimate hepaciviruses in horses, using a molecular tool called “panHepaci”-RT-qPCR assay. The research also hints on the potential use of the established method in screening for related hepaciviruses in other species.

Hepatitis C Virus and its Relatives

• The paper begins by providing a brief description of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), outlining its structure and organization. HCV is an RNA virus responsible for severe liver diseases including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
• It is noted that a significant portion of the world population is chronically infected with HCV.
• HCV belongs to the family Flaviviridae, under the genus Hepacivirus. There are identified relatives of HCV, with the closest being non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV) that infect dogs and horses.

Investigation of Pathogenesis

• Research into the pathogenesis of HCV is complicated due to the absence of an animal model. Thus, understanding the origin and development of the virus is rather difficult.
• However, relatives of HCV have been found in various animals such as horses, dogs, rodents, bats, and monkeys.

The “panHepaci”-RT-qPCR Assay

• Researchers established a test called the “panHepaci”-RT-qPCR assay which is capable of detecting both human HCV and equine NPHV.
• To confirm positive results, an “equHepaci”-RT-qPCR test specific to equines was also used.
• Serum samples collected from over a thousand horses from Germany and a number of samples from other mammalian species were screened aiding this assay.

Findings and Conclusions

• The results from the study showed that approximately 2.4% of the tested horses were positive for hepacivirus RNA. This reaffirms the utility of the “panHepaci”-RT-qPCR assay as a screening tool for hepaciviruses.
• Interestingly, the assay also detected a hepacivirus in a donkey from Egypt. This particular variant of the virus shared only 78% sequence identity with other known NPHVs when compared in the E2 gene.
• The paper concludes by indicating that the established method may be useful for screening other species, given the strong likelihood that related hepaciviruses also occur in other species apart from horses.