Serologic evidence for hepatitis E virus infection in mongoose

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Zoonotic Disease Research
• Wildlife Epidemiology

Background:

• Pigs and wild boar are known reservoirs of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Japan.
• The transmission of HEV to other animal species remains largely uninvestigated.
• Understanding potential reservoirs is crucial for controlling HEV spread.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the seroprevalence of HEV in Small Asian mongooses (Herpestes javanicus) in Okinawa, Japan.
• To determine if mongooses can be infected with HEV.
• To assess the potential role of mongooses as a zoonotic reservoir for HEV.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from 84 mongooses in Okinawa.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect IgG antibodies to HEV.
• Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to detect HEV RNA.

Main Results:

• Seven out of 84 mongooses (8.3%) tested positive for IgG antibodies against HEV.
• A positive correlation was observed between HEV antibody prevalence and mongoose body weight/size.
• No HEV RNA was detected in any of the tested mongoose samples.

Conclusions:

• The presence of HEV antibodies suggests mongooses in Okinawa may be incidentally infected with the virus.
• Mongooses are unlikely to be a significant zoonotic reservoir for Hepatitis E virus.
• Further research is needed to clarify the role of wildlife in HEV epidemiology.