[Experimental hepatitis E infection in piglets]

A sample of patient's faeces containing virus-like particles (VLP) of 27-34 nm was obtained during an outbreak of hepatitis E in the Kirghiz SSR. The identity of the VLP to hepatitis E virus and etiological association with the disease were demonstrated by immune electron microscopy and infection of Macaca fascicularis monkeys. This isolate of hepatitis E virus is able to induce experimental infection in domestic piglets which was very similar to experimental hepatitis E in primates when infected orally, intravenously and by the combined routes. The clinical manifestations included acute biochemical and histological hepatitis, excretion of hepatitis E virus in faeces, icteric sclerae and skin, hepatitis virus presence in the material from mesenteric lymph nodes. Immunosuppression aggravated hepatitis E infection in piglets. Piglet-to-piglet transmission of hepatitis E virus was demonstrated. During passages of the virus in piglets a shortening of the incubation period and the absence of jaundice was observed.