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A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
Imported and autochthonous hepatitis E virus strains in Spain
M Fogeda1, A Avellón, C G Cilla
1Service of Diagnostic Microbiology, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Journal of Medical Virology
|August 22, 2009
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes hepatitis E, an acute liver disease. This study identified HEV genotypes 1, 3, and 4 in Spain, with genotype 3 linked to local infections possibly from swine.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes hepatitis E, a significant liver disease with diverse global distribution.
- Limited characterization of HEV strains from Spanish hepatitis E cases exists.
- Genetic diversity of HEV correlates with its varied epidemiological patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize HEV strains from patients with acute hepatitis in Spain.
- To investigate the origins of HEV infections in Spain, differentiating between imported and autochthonous cases.
- To explore potential links between HEV genotypes and patient demographics or travel history.
Main Methods:
- Amplification of viral genome fragments using novel HEV-specific primers.
- Direct sequencing of amplified fragments from patient serum samples.
- Phylogenetic analysis of obtained sequences to identify HEV genotypes and subtypes.
Main Results:
- Identification of six genotype 1, six genotype 3, and one genotype 4 HEV strains.
- Genotype 1 strains were linked to travelers from endemic regions (India, Bangladesh, Africa).
- Genotype 3 strains, related to swine isolates, were found in non-traveling patients, predominantly men over 50, across different Spanish regions.
- Genotype 4 was detected in a traveler returning from Vietnam.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis E in Spain presents as both an imported and autochthonous disease.
- HEV genotype 3f strains are implicated in locally acquired infections across Spain.
- Further prospective studies with human, swine, and environmental samples are needed to confirm swine origin for autochthonous HEV genotype 3 infections.
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