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A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
Hepatitis E virus infection in work horses in Egypt
Magdi D Saad1, Hussein A Hussein, Moustafa M Bashandy
1Virology Research Program, United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt. DarwishM@namru3.med.navy.mil
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects horses in Cairo, with 4% showing viremia. Viral strains from horses were closely related to human HEV isolates in Egypt, suggesting potential cross-species transmission.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Hepatology
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a significant cause of hepatitis in young Egyptian adults.
- Zoonotic transmission of HEV is suspected due to detected antibodies in animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HEV exposure and viremia in work horses in Cairo.
- To analyze the genetic relationship between HEV strains in horses and humans.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 200 horses were tested for IgG anti-HEV antibodies using ELISA.
- Viral RNA was detected in 100 serum samples using nested polymerase chain reaction (N-PCR).
- Phylogenetic analysis was performed on HEV genome fragments from viremic horses.
Main Results:
- 13% of horses showed seropositivity for HEV antibodies.
- 4% of horses tested positive for HEV viremia, with infected animals being less than 1 year old.
- HEV strains from viremic horses showed high nucleotide identity to human HEV isolates from Egypt.
Conclusions:
- Horses in Cairo acquire HEV infections.
- Cross-species transmission of HEV between horses and humans is suggested.
- Further research is needed to determine the role of horses in HEV transmission.
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