First detection of hepatitis E virus in dromedary camels from Iran

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 7 is a zoonotic disease detected in dromedary camels.Hypothesis/objectives: The consumption of camel meat and dairy products, the abundance of dromedary camels in Southeast Iran and the import of camels from neighbouring countries to Iran made the researchers investigate the infection rate of camels by the virus. Animals: A total of 53 healthy camels in Southeast Iran (Sistan and BaluchistanProvince) tested for HEV RNA.Method: A total of 17 blood samples and 36 liver samples were taken from 53 healthy dromedary camels (aged between 2 and 10 years) from various southeastern regions of Iran. The samples were tested for HEV using RT-PCR.Results: Overall, 56.6% of the studied samples (n = 30) tested positive for HEV RNA. Conclusions and clinical importance:The present study was the first of its kind in Iran and revealed the presence of HEV in the Iranian dromedary camel population, which might play the role of a zoonosis reservoir for its transmission to humans. This discovery raises concerns about food-borne illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans. However, further research is needed to identify the specific genotype of the HEV in Iranian dromedary camel infections and to determine the risk of spread to other animals and humans.

First serological and molecular investigation of hepatitis E virus infection in dromedary camels in Algeria

“…In perfect accordance with the outcomes of our work, the impact of camels’ sex on HEV seropositivity has been well established in favor of males by El-Kafrawy et al ( 28 ) and Sarani et al ( 36 ). Conversely, in the studies by Li et al ( 29 ) and Ouoba et al ( 17 ), no statistically significant relationship between HEV seropositivity in camels and their sex was notified.…”

“…This effect could not be ascertained by Ouoba et al ( 17 ), who observed a random distribution of HEV-positive camels among the three countries of their study. We confirmed in our work an impact of province (county) of origin on the spread of this infection; however, similar surveys are unavailable to examine it, except the paper published by Sarani et al ( 36 ) in Iran. Remarkably, geographic differences in HEV seroprevalence rates of cattle within different localities or provinces of the same country have already been demonstrated in Egypt and China ( 37 , 38 ).…”

“…El-Kafrawy et al ( 28 ) and Ouoba et al ( 17 ) could not find any effect of age on HEV seroprevalence in their sampled camels, in contrast to Bassal et al ( 31 ) who recoded a prevalence of 88.9% in camels aged 10 years and more, 56.0% in those of 7 years old and 67.4% in younger ones (3 years old). In addition, Li et al ( 29 ) and Sarani et al ( 36 ) reported young camels of 2 and 3 years old and those less than 2 years old as the most frequently positive (40.0, 36.4, and 100%, respectively). These last results corroborate well with ours, as we have recorded a significant high prevalence among camels aged of 1–6 years old (47.8%).…”

“…The fact that camels imported from Sudan and Djibouti were slightly less seropositive than Saudi Arabia’s domestic camels ( 28 ) and those imported from Afghanistan and Pakistan were more infected than Iranian local camels ( 36 ), implies a geographic (country) influence on the HEV distribution. This effect could not be ascertained by Ouoba et al ( 17 ), who observed a random distribution of HEV-positive camels among the three countries of their study.…”