Cross-sectional study of hepatitis E virus (HEV) circulation in Italian pig farms

Ianiro, Giovanni; Pavoni, Enrico; Aprea, Giuseppe; Romantini, Romina; Alborali, Giovanni Loris; D’Angelantonio, Daniela; Garofolo, Giuliano; Scattolini, Silvia; Sabato, Luca De; Magistrali, Chiara Francesca; Burow, Elke; Ostanello, Fabio; Smith, Richard P.; Bartolo, Ilaria Di

doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1136225

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…This study represents the first investigation across Europe regarding the occurrence of HEV on pig farms. It reveals a mean HEV-RNA prevalence comparable to previous studies conducted within countries like in Switzerland (58.8%) ( 47 ), with some differences among countries, ranging between 35 and 100% ( 42 , 43 ) ( Figure 3A ). The sample matrix and sampling scheme were determined by the BIOPIGEE study team as the most appropriate and cost-efficient method to detect and distinguish lower and higher risk farms for HEV, as well as for Salmonella ( 25 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…For HEV RNA detection, a broad range real-time RT-PCR was conducted as described previously ( 41 ). All participating laboratories used 5 μl of RNA to prepare a reaction mix with a total volume of 25 μl using different real-time RT-PCR kits (QuantiTect Probe RT-PCR Kit, Qiagen; RNA UltraSense™ One-Step qRT-PCR System, Thermofisher Scientific) ( 42 , 43 ). Each real-time RT-PCR included RNA from fecal samples, negative extraction controls, water control (NTC), and positive target RNA control for each run.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biosecurity measures to control hepatitis E virus on European pig farms

Dubbert,

Meester,

Smith

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is a prevalent zoonotic pathogen in European pig farms, posing a significant public health risk primarily through the foodborne route. The study aimed to identify effective biosecurity measures for controlling HEV transmission on pig farms, addressing a critical gap in current knowledge. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, fecal samples from gilts, dry sows, and fatteners were collected on 231 pig farms of all farm types across nine European countries. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to test these samples for HEV. Simultaneously, a comprehensive biosecurity questionnaire captured data on various potential measures to control HEV. The dependent variable was HEV risk, categorized as lower or higher based on the percentage of positive pooled fecal samples on each farm (25% cut-off). The data were analyzed using generalized linear models (one for finisher samples and one for all samples) with a logit link function with country and farm type as a priori fixed factors. The results of the final multivariable models identified key biosecurity measures associated with lower HEV risk, which were the use of a hygienogram in the breeding (OR: 0.06, p = 0.001) and/or fattening area after cleaning (OR: 0.21, p = 0.019), the presence of a quarantine area (OR: 0.29, p = 0.025), testing and/or treating purchased feed against Salmonella (OR: 0.35, p = 0.021), the presence of other livestock species on the farm, and having five or fewer persons in charge of the pigs. Contrary to expectations, some biosecurity measures were associated with higher HEV risk, e.g., downtime of 3 days or longer after cleaning in the fattening area (OR: 3.49, p = 0.005) or mandatory handwashing for farm personnel when changing barn sections (OR: 3.4, p = 0.026). This novel study unveils critical insights into biosecurity measures effective in controlling HEV on European pig farms. The identification of both protective and risk-associated measures contributes to improving strategies for managing HEV and underscores the complexity of biosecurity in pig farming.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosecurity measures to control hepatitis E virus on European pig farms

Dubbert,

Meester,

Smith

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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“…In Italy, the virus is widespread in pig farms, particularly from Northern Italy where the majority of pigs are housed in intensive farms with herd prevalence ranging from 24.8% to 52.9% [ 7 , 28 , 29 ]. However, it is also prevalent in small farms, which are more common in the south of the country, with farm prevalence ranging from 12.5% to 50% [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Monini,

Di Bartolo,

De Sabato

et al. 2023

Animals

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Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered an emerging threat in Europe, owing to the increased number of human cases and the widespread presence of the virus in pigs at farms. Most cases in industrialized countries are caused by the zoonotic HEV-3 genotype. The main transmission route of HEV-3 in Europe is foodborne, through consumption of raw or undercooked liver pork and wild boar meat. Pigs become susceptible to HEV infection after the loss of maternal immunity, and the majority of adult pigs test positive for IgG anti-HEV antibodies. Nonetheless, HEV-infected pigs in terms of liver, faeces, and rarely blood are identified at slaughterhouses. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HEV-positive batches of Italian heavy pigs at slaughterhouses, assessing the presence of animals still shedding HEV upon their arrival at the slaughterhouse by sampling faeces collected from the floor of the trucks used for their transport. The occurrence of viraemic animals and the seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies were also assessed. The results obtained indicated the presence of anti-HEV IgM (1.9%), and a high seroprevalence of anti-HEV total antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgA; 89.2%, n = 260). HEV RNA was not detected in either plasma or faecal samples. Nevertheless, seropositive animals were identified in all eight batches investigated, confirming the widespread exposure of pigs to HEV at both individual and farm levels. Future studies are needed to assess the factors associated with the risk of HEV presence on farms, with the aim to prevent virus introduction and spread within farms, thereby eliminating the risk at slaughterhouse.

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“…Although the direct cause of the observed rise in HEV-infected individuals is still unknown, the similarities between HEV-3 strains identified in humans and animals suggest that animal reservoirs harboring HEV-3 play a role in HEV-3 infections in humans [5]. Domestic pigs have been described to be the main reservoir for HEV, with HEV found in pigs that were raised at conventional, free-range and organic farms and also in different breeding systems [6][7][8][9]. The dominant HEV-3 subtype in pigs in the Netherlands is 3c; however, the European autochthonous subtypes 3e and 3f have also been detected [6,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal Inactivation of Hepatitis E Virus in Pork Products Estimated with a Semiquantitative Infectivity Assay

Stunnenberg,

Huizen,

Swart

et al. 2023

Microorganisms

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Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV-3) is a food-borne pathogen causative of hepatitis E infections in humans. In Europe, HEV-3 is mainly transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked pork. In order to determine the effectiveness of control measures that can be taken in the industry or by the consumer, it is pivotal to determine the infectivity of HEV present in pork products after thermal food-processing steps. First, we implemented a method for the detection of infectious HEV-3c and HEV-3e in a cell culture medium and in extracts from inoculated pork products. Next, we investigated the effect of the thermal inactivation of HEV by mimicking food-processing steps specific for dried sausage and liver homogenate matrices. After four weeks, HEV-inoculated dried sausage subjected to 21 °C or lower temperatures was still infectious. For the liver homogenate, the highest HEV-3c/e inactivation of the conditions tested was observed at 71 °C for five min or longer. Finally, our method was able to successfully detect and estimate viral loads of infectious HEV in naturally infected pig livers. Our data provide a basis for the future use of the quantitative microbial risk assessment of infectious HEV in pork products that are subjected to thermal food processing steps.

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Cross-sectional study of hepatitis E virus (HEV) circulation in Italian pig farms

Cited by 3 publications

References 44 publications

Biosecurity measures to control hepatitis E virus on European pig farms

Biosecurity measures to control hepatitis E virus on European pig farms

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

Thermal Inactivation of Hepatitis E Virus in Pork Products Estimated with a Semiquantitative Infectivity Assay

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