Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Shellfish Harvesting Areas from Galicia (Northwestern Spain)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Rivadulla, E (Author) Other; Varela, MF (Author) Other; Mesquita, JR (Author) ICBAS; Nascimento, MSJ (Author) FFUP; Romalde, JL (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Viruses-Basel

Vol. 11

Final page: 618

ISSN: 1999-4915

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-WFE

DOI: 10.3390/v11070618

Abstract (EN): The hepatitis E virus (HEV) affects almost 20 million individuals annually, causing approximately 3.3 million acute liver injuries, 56,600 deaths, and huge healthcare-associated economic losses. Shellfish produced close to urban and livestock areas can bioaccumulate this virus and transmit it to the human population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HEV in molluscan shellfish, in order to deepen the knowledge about HEV prevalence in Galicia (northwestern Spain), and to investigate this as a possible route of HEV transmission to humans. A total of 168 shellfish samples was obtained from two different Galician rias (Ria de Ares-Betanzos and Ria de Vigo). The samples were analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RT-nested PCR and sequencing were used for further genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of positive samples. HEV was detected in 41 (24.4%) samples, at quantification levels ranging from non-quantifiable (<10(2) copies of the RNA genome (RNAc)/g tissue) to 1.1 x 10(5) RNAc/g tissue. Phylogenetic analysis based on the open reading frame (ORF)2 region showed that all sequenced isolates belonged to genotype 3, and were closely related to strains of sub-genotype e, which is of swine origin. The obtained results demonstrate a significant prevalence of HEV in bivalve molluscs from Galician rias, reinforcing the hypothesis that shellfish may be a potential route for HEV transmission to humans.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10