Identification of <scp>HEV</scp> in symptom‐free migrants and environmental samples in Italy

Idolo, Adele; Serio, Francesca; Lugoli, F.; Grassi, Tiziana; Bagordo, Francesco; Guido, Marcello; Privitera, Gaetano Pierpaolo; Lobreglio, Giambattista; Donno, Antonella De

doi:10.1111/jvh.12038

Cited by 19 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 24 publications

(33 reference statements)

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“…These low detection rates and low RNA concentrations are reasonable due to virus dilution in big water volumes. Similar results have been reported in Italian surface waters impacted by runoffs from grazing land and discharges from treatment plants, where 25% of the tested water samples were HEV RNA-positive (Idolo et al 2013). In line with the results from the two rivers under normal conditions, only 15% of samples from a bathing water were positive for HEV RNA, with a median concentration of all tested samples below the LOD.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Most common detection methods are nested reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) with or without prior virus concentration steps. In recent years, Italy, Norway and the UK have reported first investigations for a HEV surveillance in sewage (Idolo et al 2013;Myrmel et al 2015;Smith et al 2016a;Alfonsi et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Detection and Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Wastewater and Urban Surface Waters in Germany

et al. 2020

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In highly populated areas, environmental surveillance of wastewater and surface waters is a key factor to control the circulation of viruses and risks for public health. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is considered as an emerging pathogen in industrialized countries. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HEV in environmental waters in urban and suburban regions in Germany. HEV was monitored in water samples using quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) and nested RT-PCR without or with virus concentration via polyethylene glycol precipitation or ultracentrifugation. By RT-qPCR, 84-100% of influent samples of wastewater treatment plants were positive for HEV RNA. Genotypes HEV-3c and 3f were identified in wastewater, with HEV-3c being the most prevalent genotype. These data correlate with subtypes identified earlier in patients from the same area. Comparison of wastewater influent and effluent samples revealed a reduction of HEV RNA of about 1 log 10 during passage through wastewater treatment plants. In addition, combined sewer overflows (CSOs) after heavy rainfalls were shown to release HEV RNA into surface waters. About 75% of urban river samples taken during these CSO events were positive for HEV RNA by RT-qPCR. In contrast, under normal weather conditions, only around 30% of river samples and 15% of samples from a bathing water located at an urban river were positive for HEV. Median concentrations of HEV RNA of all tested samples at this bathing water were below the limit of detection.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection and Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Wastewater and Urban Surface Waters in Germany

et al. 2020

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“…Indeed, Idolo et al. () reported recently the detection of HEV in 25% of untreated sewage samples, and 25% of surface water samples in Italy, underlining the importance of wastewater treatment plant to be highly effective in the elimination of viral contamination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, it is very common in this area to fertilize cultivated fields with manure from swine farms, which could infiltrate through the ground, contaminating underground water; even though we also demonstrated that HEV prevalence/circulation is very high in sampled swine farms, the hypothesis of water contamination needs to be confirmed by further studies aimed to assess the presence of HEV directly in drinking fountains. Indeed, Idolo et al (2013) reported recently the detection of HEV in 25% of untreated sewage samples, and 25% of surface water samples in Italy, underlining the importance of wastewater treatment plant to be highly effective in the elimination of viral contamination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis E Virus: A Cross-Sectional Serological and Virological Study in Pigs and Humans at Zoonotic Risk within a High-Density Pig Farming Area

Caruso

Peletto

Rosamilia

et al. 2016

Transbound Emerg Dis

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An increase in autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections has been recorded in Italy suspected to be zoonotically transmitted from pigs; this study was carried out to determinate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis HEV exposition, both in swine and humans working in pig farms, located within a high-density pig farming area in Piedmont region, north-western Italy. The presence of viral RNA in human and swine samples was also evaluated, and phylogenetic analysis was performed on HEV-positive samples. Forty-two swine farms were sampled; 142 workers were enrolled in the study and classified into two groups: (i) 69 workers with occupational contact with swine (including veterinarians and farmers) recruited in the 42 sampled farms; (ii) 73 without occupational contact with swine. Forty-one of 42 (97%) swine farms resulted positive to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test for HEV antibodies (Abs). Overall seroprevalence in swine was 50% (441/879), with seropositivity rate higher in sows (333/469, 71%). HEV RNA in stool samples was detected in animals from 13 of 42 tested farms (31%), and a higher positivity resulted in weaners (40/246, 16.3%). Phylogenetic analysis classified all HEV isolates within genotype 3 (subtypes 3f, 3e, 3c). All humans were negative for HEV viral genome in blood. Five of 142 sera were positive for IgG anti-HEV with an overall prevalence of 3.52% with no statistically significant differences in prevalence rates between workers at zoonotic risk and the control group (5.7% versus 1.3%). In contrast, a significant difference (OR 10.1) was observed within the subgroup including subjects exposed for short periods (veterinarians) compared with those who worked for long periods (farmers) suggesting a correlation between the time of exposure and the likelihood of HEV infection. Reporting HEV infection is not mandatory in Italy, but a constant epidemiological surveillance should be ensured to clarify the epidemiology of this disease.

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“…Method B, which targets the RdRp detected only 3 out of 11 positive samples. This method was chosen for this study since it was successfully used recently for the identification of HEV in symptom-free migrants and environmental samples in Italy [21]; in the present study the sensitivity was low, despite having attempted to improve PCR sensitivity using different RNA dilutions or PCR conditions (data not shown). However, it was able to detect two additional G1-positive samples (not detected by Method A).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Molecular characterisation of human hepatitis E virus from Italy: comparative analysis of five reverse transcription-PCR assays

Rosa

Fratini

Muscillo

et al. 2014

Virol J

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BackgroundHepatitis E (HEV) is an important public-health concern as a major cause of enterically transmitted hepatitis worldwide. In industrialised countries it is considered rare, and largely confined to travellers returning from endemic areas. However, autochthonous (locally acquired) HEV infection is also emerging in these regions. The infection is caused by different genotypes, depending on whether it is travel-related or autochthonous. Conventional RT-PCR followed by sequencing of PCR products can identify HEV genotype and, depending on the region, the subtype, thus helping in defining the origin of infection and tracing the source of contamination.MethodsWe re-analysed a collection of serum samples previously confirmed as hepatitis E positive by anti-HEV IgM and IgG assays as well as by Real-Time PCR, with the aim to compare the performances of five different broad range RT-PCR assays that could be provided for molecular characterisation of HEV. This approach is certainly valuable to investigate the molecular epidemiology of acute hepatitis E in countries where co-circulation of different genotypes occurs, like Italy.ResultsSamples were analyzed by five assays targeting the ORF1, ORF2, and ORF2/3 regions. The sensitivity of these assays varied significantly, depending on the target region. Only 46% of samples tested positive by nested PCR; moreover, no single method was able to detect all positive samples. Most sequences originated from patients who had travelled to endemic areas (genotype 1), while the minority originated from Italian patients with no travel history (genotype 3).ConclusionBroad range methods for molecular characterization of HEV still need to be improved to detect all circulating strains.

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Identification of HEV in symptom‐free migrants and environmental samples in Italy

Cited by 19 publications

References 24 publications

Detection and Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Wastewater and Urban Surface Waters in Germany

Detection and Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Wastewater and Urban Surface Waters in Germany

Hepatitis E Virus: A Cross-Sectional Serological and Virological Study in Pigs and Humans at Zoonotic Risk within a High-Density Pig Farming Area

Molecular characterisation of human hepatitis E virus from Italy: comparative analysis of five reverse transcription-PCR assays

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