中国西藏部分地区猪戊型肝炎病毒流行病学调查（英文）

戊型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis E Virus,HEV)感染是一个重要的全球公共卫生问题,而猪被认为是HEV的天然宿主。HEV可以跨种间传播,且已经证实生吃感染的猪肉会导致人感染。在中国西藏许多地区仍然有生吃猪肉、猪肝等的习惯,且不同种家畜混合饲养,极易造成HEV感染和传播。然而中国西藏地区猪HEV流行情况报道甚少。文中对中国西藏5个地区市(拉萨、日喀则、山南、那曲和昌都)猪血清进行HEV Immunoglobulin-M(Ig M)和Ig G抗体检测,并通过逆转录巢氏PCR(RT-n PCR)进行HEV RNA检测和定量RT-PCR(q RT-PCR)进行病毒拷贝计算,首次报道了藏猪血清HEV RNA阳性率。结果显示,在西藏猪中HEV有较高的流行趋势。猪血清HEV Ig M抗体阳性率高达7.6%(26/340),HEV Ig G抗体阳性率为1.8%(6/340),HEV RNA阳性率高达7.6%(26/340),血清中病毒拷贝高达1.7×107 copies/m L,而且5个地区有不同的流行趋势。结果表明西藏猪HEV感染情况严重。有关部门应加强管理,以避免人与动物之间的交叉感染和暴发。     

不同人类免疫缺陷病毒感染途径群体中戊型肝炎病毒的流行情况

本研究旨在了解不同人类免疫缺陷病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)感染途径群体中戊型肝炎病毒(hepatitis E virus,HEV)抗体情况,探讨HEV疫苗接种的必要性。采集HIV感染者的血清或血浆,利用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测HEV IgG抗体、IgM抗体及抗原,荧光定量聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)检测HEV核酸,Roche高纯化HIV-1核酸定量检测试剂盒(PCR荧光法)检测HIV感染者的HIV载量。比较分析不同HIV感染途径群体中HEV流行率的差别。结果显示,HIV感染者中HEV IgG抗体的阳性率为37.4%,静脉吸毒、成分献血和传播途径不明HIV感染群体的HEV IgG抗体阳性率分别为49.3%、39.5%和30.4%。HEV核酸荧光PCR检测结果均为阴性。3种HIV感染群体之间HEV IgG抗体阳性率差异无统计学意义(χ~2=2.978,P0.05)。HEV IgG阳性与阴性感染者之间HIV载量差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结果提示,为保护HIV感染者免受HEV感染,应考虑接种HEV疫苗。     

广西地区野鼠戊型肝炎病毒感染情况调查

从广西壮族自治区5个市采集256份野鼠肝脏和对应的血清211份,采用HEV抗体(HEV-Ab)酶联免疫试剂盒(双抗原夹心法)对血清样本进行抗-HEV检测,并对不同地区HEV抗体阳性率进行χ2检验。采用HEV核酸荧光PCR试剂盒对肝脏样本进行HEV核酸检测。结果显示,211份野鼠血清抗-HEV的抗体阳性率为6.6%,其中百色市的抗体阳性率最高,为14.1%,其他地区抗体阳性率均在10%以下。256份野鼠肝脏中未检测到HEV核酸。由此可见,广西壮族自治区5个市的野鼠中存在HEV感染,但其是否为HEV的自然宿主及在戊型肝炎传播中起何作用需进一步研究。     

广西14市猪戊型肝炎的分子流行病学分析

为调查广西猪戊型肝炎(HE)的感染情况,本研究应用套式RT-PCR方法对采自广西14市43个猪场的508份3月龄左右猪只粪样及市售182份猪肝扩增猪戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)ORF2基因特异序列,并进行核苷酸序列同源性分析及遗传进化分析。结果表明,在508份猪粪样中194份可以检测到HEV RNA,阳性率为38.2%;182份猪肝样本中,33份可检测到HEV RNA,阳性率为18.1%;43个猪场中检出HEV RNA的有35个,猪场阳性率为81.4%。所获取的39株广西猪HEV ORF2基因特异序列同源性为89.9%～100%,提示在所调查的广西猪场中已较普遍存在HEV感染,所获取的39株广西HEV阳性样品均属于基因Ⅳ型。本研究结果佐证了感染猪及市售带毒猪肝脏是HEV重要的储存库和传染源,应该重视其公共卫生学意义,预防粪-口途径或者食源性HEV感染。     

新疆地区猪戊型肝炎血清流行病学调查

戊型肝炎(HE)是一种经粪-口传播的疾病,在发展中国家造成非常严重的健康问题.近年来的研究证实发达国家也存在戊型肝炎问题.该病主要威胁青壮年,孕妇病死率可高达20%.我国自1982年起就有HE的报道,新疆是HE的高流行区.由于HEV的组织培养研究尚不成熟,因此其诊断手段主要是利用RT-PCR检测病毒RNA,或利用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测抗体.而用于血清学检测的抗原主要来自HEV ORF2和ORF3的产物,并且用ORF2产物建立的检测法有足够的敏感性和特异性.自Meng[1]1997年从美国猪体内克隆出戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)基因后,我国以及加拿大,西班牙,新西兰,澳大利亚,印度等国家也都克隆出本国猪HEV基因.虽然我国也进行了猪HEV的检测,但在1988年爆发过人源戊型肝炎的新疆地区猪群感染HEV的情况还不清楚.本研究调查了HEV在猪群的感染状况,对新疆不同地区,猪场,年龄段及品种的猪进行HE的血清学检测.     

大学新生戊型肝炎病毒现/近期隐性感染的筛查

为了解大学新生戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)现/近期隐性感染的状况,探讨引起隐性感染与急性戊型肝炎(HE)的HEV毒株间有无差异,本实验利用ELISA一步法检测了正常大学新生血清标本中抗-HEV IgM,对抗-HEV IgM阳性者检测抗-HEV IgG,并进行HEV逆转录-巢式PCR(RT-nPCR). 结果2223份血清中抗-HEV IgM阳性18份,阳性率0.8%,P/N值在2.0~3.0之间.17份标本抗-HEV IgM、IgG同时阳性,1份抗-HEV IgM单独阳性,但用RT-nPCR检测抗-HEV IgM阳性标本, HEV RNA均阴性.提示正常大学新生中存在HEV现/近期隐性感染,应注意感染者作为传染源的可能性;HEV隐性感染时,产生的抗体滴度或亲和力较低,病毒血症时间短,病毒滴度低,或毒株的基因序列与引起急性HE的毒株的序列有一定差异.     

大学新生戊型肝炎病毒现／近期隐性感染的筛查

为了解大学新生戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)现／近期隐性感染的状况,探讨引起隐性感染与急性戊型肝炎(HE)的HEV毒株间有无差异,本实验利用ELISA一步法检测了正常大学新生血清标本中抗—HEV IgM,对抗—HEV IgM阳性者检测抗—HEV IgG,并进行HEV逆转录一巢式PCR（RT-nPCR)。结果 2223份血清中抗—HEV IgM阳性18份,阳性率0．8％,P/N值在2．0—3．0之间。17份标本抗—HEV IgM、IgG同时阳性,1份抗—HEV IgM单独阳性,但用RT-nPCR检测抗—HEV IgM阳性标本,HEV RNA均阴性。提示正常大学新生中存在HEV现/近期隐性感染,应注意感染者作为传染源的可能性;HEV隐性感染时,产生的抗体滴度或亲和力较低,病毒血症时间短,病毒滴度低,或毒株的基因序列与引起急性HE的毒株的序列有一定差异。     

安徽省猪圆环病毒2型感染的流行病学调查

目的了解安徽地区猪群中猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)的感染状况。方法应用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)对采自安徽省14个地(市)的468份血清样品进行PCV2抗体检测,并运用PCR技术同步进行PCV2核酸检测。结果PCV2抗体检测的平均阳性率为74.36%,且阳性率随猪的日龄增长而升高,皖南地区的阳性检出率明显高于淮北和江淮两个地区,PCR与ELISA检测结果的符合率为99.37%。结论安徽省猪群中普遍存在PCV2的感染,病毒血症与抗体共存现象显著。     

成人腹泻轮状病毒的血清流行病学

本文用对流电泳技术进行成人腹泻轮状病毒(ADRV)血清流行病学调查,发现我国大陆、香港及澳大利亚正常人群中,抗ADRV抗体阳性率都在20％以下,而发生过腹泻流行的地区,阳性率高达40％以上。在动物中,抗体反应谱广泛(猪、鸡、鸭、家鼠、大鼠、豚鼠、小鼠)。以猪(36.13％)和家鼠(46.66％)为最高,讨论了成人腹泻轮状病毒动物来源的可能性。     

猪戊型肝炎病毒防控及研究策略分析

戊型肝炎为人畜共患病病原, 猪是主要的病毒储库。我国猪场戊肝病毒流行情况复杂, 猪感染率高, 同一地点存在3型或/和4型两种基因型混合污染。病毒存在基因重组和准种现象, 为病毒遗传进化提供了遗传基础。当前猪戊肝感染人的主要媒介为污染的猪肉及其制品, 其他感染机制和途径还有待进一步阐明。应加强对猪HEV与猪场其他流行病原体相互关系的研究, 同时应加强猪HEV相关信息的积累分析包括对猪HEV感染特性和遗传特性进行实时监测, 将猪HEV流行情况纳入兽医公共卫生预警体系, 实现常态跟踪。     

Serological evidence for hepatitis e virus infection in laboratory monkeys and pigs in animal facilities in Japan

In laboratory animal facilities, monkeys and pigs are used for animal experiments, but the details of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in these animals are unknown. The risk of infection from laboratory animals to humans has become a concern; therefore, much attention should be paid to the handling of these animals during their care and use, including surgical procedures performed on infected animals. In this connection, serum samples collected from 916 monkeys and 77 pigs kept in 23 animal facilities belonging to the Japanese Association of Laboratory Animal Facilities of National University Corporations (JALAN) and the Japanese Association of Laboratory Animal Facilities of Public and Private Universities (JALAP) in Japan were examined for the purpose of detecting antibodies to HEV and HEV RNA by using ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. One hundred and seven serum samples of 916 (11.7%) monkeys were positive for anti-HEV IgG, and 7 and 17 serum samples of 916 (0.8% and 5.3%) monkeys were positive for anti-HEV IgM and IgA, respectively. Thirty-six samples from 62 (58.1%) farm pigs were positive for anti-HEV IgG, whereas all samples tested from miniature pigs were negative (0/15, 0%). Seven samples from 62 (9.1%) farm pigs and 7 samples from 916 (0.8%) monkeys were positive for IgM antibody, but these HEV-IgM antibody positive serum samples were HEV-RNA negative by RT-PCR. The IgM antibody positive rate (9.1%) of farm pigs was much higher than that of monkeys (0.8%). These results suggest the relative levels of risk of HEV infection from these animals to animal handlers and researchers who work with them in laboratory animal facilities.     

Seroprevalence and Incidence of hepatitis E in Blood Donors in Upper Austria

Background

In recent years various studies showed, that hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a growing public health problem in many developed countries. Therefore, HEV infections might bear a transmission risk by blood transfusions. The clinical relevance still requires further investigations. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of acute HEV infections in Upper Austrian blood donors as well as a risk estimation of this transfusion-related infection.

Methods and Findings

A total of 58,915 blood donors were tested for HEV RNA using a commercial HEV RT-PCR Kit. 7 of these donors (0.01%) were PCR-positive with normal laboratory parameters in absence of clinical signs of hepatitis. Viral load determined by quantitative real-time PCR showed a HEV nucleic acid concentration of 2,217 293,635 IU/ml. At follow-up testing (2–11 weeks after donation) all blood donors had negative HEV RNA results. Additionally, genotyping was performed by amplification and sequencing of the ORF1 or ORF2 region of the HEV genome. All HEV RNA positive donor samples revealed a genotype 3 isolate. For the antibody screening, anti-HEV IgM and IgG were detected by ELISA. Follow up serological testing revealed that no donor was seropositive for HEV IgM or IgG antibodies at time of donation. Moreover, we verified the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG in 1,203 of the HEV RNA negative tested blood donors. Overall 13.55% showed positive results for anti-HEV IgG.

Conclusions

In the presented study, we investigated HEV infections in blood donations of Upper Austria over 1 year. We concluded that 1 out of 8,416 blood donations is HEV RNA positive. Seroprevalence of anti HEV IgG results in an age-related increase of 13.55%. Therefore, based on this data, we recommend HEV-PCR screening to prevent transmission of hepatitis E virus by transfusion.     

Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in different animal species from the Southeast of Brazil

Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection (HEV) has been observed in both humans and different animal species living in non-endemic areas, suggesting that animals could be important reservoir for virus transmission to man. Antibodies to HEV have been detected in some Brazilian population groups. Nevertheless, sporadic cases of acute HEV infection have never been reported. We collected 271 serum samples from several domestic animals and also from pig handlers from Southeast of Brazil in order to investigate the seroprevalence of HEV infection. Anti-HEV IgG was detected in cows (1.42%), dogs (6.97%), chickens (20%), swines (24.3%), and rodents (50%), as well as in pig handlers (6.3%). The recognition of swine HEV infections in pigs in many countries of the world led us to investigate a larger sample of pigs (n = 357) from the same Brazilian region with ages ranging from 1 to > 25 weeks. IgG anti-HEV was detected in 100% of 7-day old pigs. Following a gradual decline between weeks 2 and 8 (probably due to loss of maternal IgG), the prevalence then steady increased until it reached 97.3% of animals older than 25 weeks. Besides the detection of anti-HEV antibodies in different animal species, the results showed that swine HEV infection seems to be almost universal within this Brazilian pig population. This is the first report that shows evidences of HEV circulation in Brazilian animal species and pig handlers.     

Swine Is a Possible Source of Hepatitis E Virus Infection by Comparative Study of Hepatitis A and E Seroprevalence in Thailand

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in developing countries are associated with contaminated food or water. Although Thailand is non-endemic for HEV, sporadic infections may occur from zoonotic transmission. Individuals between 7 months to 69 years (mean age = 32.8) from predominantly Islamic Narathiwat (n = 305) and swine farm-dense Lop Buri (n = 416) provinces were screened for anti-HEV and anti-HAV antibodies by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, respectively. Seroprevalence and relative antibody titers were analyzed according to age groups. HAV IgG antibody positive rates in Lop Buri and Narathiwat residents were 39.9% and 58%, respectively (p < 0.001). Greater than 90% of individuals >50 years old in both provinces possessed anti-HAV IgG. In contrast, seroprevalence for anti-HEV IgG was much higher in Lop Buri (37.3%) than in Narathiwat (8.9%) (p < 0.001). Highest anti-HEV IgG prevalence was found among 21-30 year-olds (50%) in Lop Buri and 41-50 year-olds (14.1%) in Narathiwat. In summary, fewer individuals possessed anti-HEV IgG in Narathiwat where most residents abstained from pork and fewer swine farms are present. Therefore, an increased anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was associated with the density of swine farm and possibly pork consumption. Adults were more likely than children to have antibodies to both HEV and HAV.     

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among Swine Farmers and the General Population in Rural Taiwan

Objectives

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging pathogen. We evaluated the seroprevalence of HEV infection among swine farmers and the general population in Taiwan, a nonendemic country.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study in rural Taiwan in 2012 and 2013. The study included swine farmers, health examination attendees, pregnant women, and students. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM against HEV. Pertinent information was collected using a questionnaire.

Results

In total, 660 participants were enrolled in the study, including 156 swine farmers, 314 health examination attendees, 100 pregnant women, and 90 students. IgG anti-HEV was detected in 29.5% of swine farmers, 11.5% of health examination attendees, 2% of pregnant women, and 1.1% of students. Two subjects were positive for IgM anti-HEV. Logistic regression analysis revealed that swine farmers had an approximately 3.5-fold increased risk (odds ratio [OR], 3.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.91–6.27; p<0.0001) for being seropositive for IgG anti-HEV as compared to the general population. Age was positively associated with seropositive rate (OR, 1.07 per year; 95% CI, 1.05–1.09; p<0.0001).

Conclusion

HEV infection is prevalent in Taiwan. The seroprevalence of HEV infection is high in swine farmers and in the elderly population.     

Rapid detection of porcine circovirus type 2 using a TaqMan-based real-time PCR

Background

In assays for anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) immunoglobulin M (IgM), large volumes of the patient's sera cannot be easily obtained for use as a positive control. In this study, we investigated an alternative chemical method in which rabbit anti-HEV IgG was conjugated with human IgM and was used as a positive control in the anti-HEV IgM assay. Rabbit anti-HEV IgG was isolated from immune sera by chromatography on protein A-Sepharose and was conjugated with human IgM by using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) as a crosslinker.

Results

The specific anti-HEV IgG antibody titer was 100,000 times that of the negative control, i.e., prebleed rabbit serum. The results of anti-HEV IgM enzyme-linked immunosobent assay showed that the antibody conjugate was similar to anti-HEV IgM antibodies produced in humans. The results of a stability experiment showed that the antibody conjugate was stable for use in external quality assessment or internal quality control trials.

Conclusions

We concluded that the chemically conjugated rabbit-human antibody could be used instead of the traditional serum control as a positive control in the anti-HEV IgM assay.     

Laboratory-based Surveillance and Clinical Profile of Sporadic HEV Infection in Shanghai,China

The study aimed to describe the epidemiological, virological and clinical features of sporadic HEV infection in eastern China. A total of 6112 patient sera were tested for anti-HEV IgG or anti-HEV IgM during one consecutive year(between August 2018 and July 2019). HEV RNA presence was evaluated by RT-PCR and HEV sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. Clinical features of confirmed HEV-infected patients were delineated. The sero-positivity rate of anti-HEV IgG maintained stable around 40%, while an obvious winter spike of anti-HEV IgM prevalence was observed. A total of 111 patients were confirmed of HEV viremia by molecular diagnosis. Subtype 4 d was predominant. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that certain strains circulate across species and around the country. Subjects with confirmed current HEV infection had a high median age(58 years) and males were predominant(62.2%). Most patients presented with jaundice(75.7%) and anorexia(68.0%). Significantly elevated levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin were observed. Remarkably, the baseline bilirubin level was positively correlated with illness severity. Pre-existing HBV carriage may deteriorate illness. The clinical burden caused by locally acquired HEV infection is increasing. Surveillance should be enforced especially during the transition period from winter to spring. Patients with higher level of bilirubin at disease onset had slower recovery from HEV infection.