Prevalence and genetic features of rabbit hepatitis E virus in Korea

Abstract

Hepatitis caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health concern worldwide. HEV strains have been isolated from several animal species, some of which induce zoonosis. Recently, the isolation of HEV from rabbits was reported. Here, the partial capsid gene (320 bp) of HEV was detected in rabbit feces via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Rabbit HEV was found in two of six rabbit farms and 17 of 264 rabbit fecal samples (6.4%). A phylogenetic analysis of the partial capsid gene classified the 17 HEV isolates into the putative rabbit HEV clade. A full genomic sequence, KOR-Rb-1, was obtained from one rabbit HEV isolate by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends-PCR and RT-PCR, and comprised 7275 bp excluding the 3' poly(A) tail. It shared 77.5-86.8%, 86.6%, and 80.2-84.3% nucleotide identities with rabbit HEV isolates from China, the US, and France, respectively. It also shared 72.3-73.0%, 71.4%, 76.7-78.3%, 72.8-73.3%, and 47.1-47.2% nucleotide identities with representative strains of HEV-1, HEV-2, HEV-3, HEV-4, and avian HEV, respectively. A full-genome phylogenetic analysis classified KOR-Rb-1 into the provisional rabbit HEV clade. This isolate could be used to study the pathogenesis and zoonotic potential of rabbit HEV.

Cross-Species Transmission of Swine Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 to Rabbits

“…KY496215) and swine HEV-3 (GenBank No. MF095679) used in this study were obtained from the stool sample of a rabbit and a pig, respectively, as described in our previous studies [25,26]. The viral titers of both rabbit HEV and swine HEV-3, used to challenge rabbits, were adjusted to 10 6 genomic equivalent (GE) copy number/mL in 4% bovine albumin solution.…”

“…Nested RT-PCR with detection limits of 10 2 -10 3 GE copies was performed to detect partial genomic sequence of the HEV ORF2 with gene-specific primers under conditions as described previously [25]. The correct sizes of the final PCR products were identified by gel electrophoresis.…”

An overview: Rabbit hepatitis E virus (HEV) and rabbit providing an animal model for HEV study

“…The first strain of rHEV was isolated in the farmed rabbits in Gansu province, China, in 2009 . Then, researchers in the United States, France, Italy Germany, the Netherlands, Korea, and Canada also discovered evidence of rHEV infections in different rabbit populations. According to the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses Hepeviridae Study Group, the rHEV is temporarily assigned to HEV‐3 based on that the intermediate nucleotide and amino acid distances were between those observed within HEV‐1, HEV‐3, and HEV‐4, and distances between genotypes .…”

Molecular methods in detection and epidemiologic studies of rabbit and hare viruses: a review

“…11,106 Hepatitis E virus. Hepatitis E virus (HEV; species Orthohepevirus A) has been detected in farmed, wild, and pet rabbits worldwide, 3,12,17,21,43,46,49,95,115,116,122 with evidence also existing for virus circulation in European brown hares. 43 Although rabbit HEV strains belong to a cluster of the rabbit HEV genotype, they are genetically and antigenically closely related to other HEV strains detected in pigs and wild boars, which are known to infect humans.…”