A Randomized Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Serological Survey of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Belgian Pig Farms

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E disease in humans. While sporadic HEV infections, which occur in industrialised countries and are typically due to HEV genotypes 3 or 4, are asymptomatic and self-limiting, a chronic form of the disease can lead to liver cirrhosis in immunocompromised individuals. Pigs share HEV 3 and 4 genotypes and are thus considered a major animal reservoir for human infection. A subset of animals has been shown to carry HEV particles at the age of slaughter, rendering raw or undercooked pig products potential vectors for human infection. To provide an overview of the current dissemination of HEV in Belgian pig herds, this study was designed as a randomized, robust, large-scale, cross-sectional, serological survey. HEV genotypes and subtypes recently circulating in Belgium (2020–2021) were investigated. Sample stratification as well as epidemiological investigation through the available demographic data of the sampled herds showed that HEV widely circulated in the Belgian pig population during this time and that a change in the circulating HEV strains may have occurred in the last decade. Herd size and type were identified as risk factors for HEV herd-seropositivity. Identifying farms at risk of being HEV-positive is an important step in controlling HEV spread and human infection.

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Heavy Pigs in Slaughterhouses of Northern Italy: Investigation of Seroprevalence, Viraemia, and Faecal Shedding

“…This dynamic of infection explains why weaner pigs are the age category most susceptible to the infection, with susceptibility decreasing as they age [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The seroprevalence increases in adult animals [ 12 , 15 ], corresponding to an increase in weight (which corresponds to the age group) [ 16 ]. However, a small number of pigs at slaughter age still test positive for HEV presence in liver (0.25–11.0% in adults) [ 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], faeces [ 18 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], and very rarely in muscle [ 12 , 18 ].…”