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A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
Published on: June 26, 2020
Hepatitis E virus genotype 4 outbreak, Italy, 2011
Anna R Garbuglia1, Paola Scognamiglio, Nicola Petrosillo
1Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Rome, Italy.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|December 25, 2012
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype detection in Italy revealed a strain similar to those found in Chinese swine. This finding suggests the potential emergence of new HEV strains in Western countries.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a significant cause of acute viral hepatitis globally.
- HEV genotypes 3 and 4 are commonly found in swine and can infect humans.
- Previous HEV genotype surveillance has primarily focused on Asia and North America.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the detection of a specific HEV genotype in Italy.
- To investigate the genetic relationship of the identified HEV strain to known isolates.
- To assess the implications of this finding for HEV epidemiology in Europe.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of human samples from Italy.
- Viral RNA extraction and sequencing.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine HEV genotype and origin.
Main Results:
- Five human cases of HEV infection were identified in Lazio, Italy, in 2011.
- The identified HEV strain belonged to a monophyletic group.
- High sequence homology was observed between the Italian HEV strain and isolates from swine in China.
Conclusions:
- The detection of this swine-associated HEV genotype in Italy indicates a potential zoonotic transmission route.
- This finding parallels similar detections in other European countries, suggesting a broader spread of novel HEV strains.
- Enhanced surveillance for HEV in both humans and animals is warranted in Western countries to monitor emerging strains.
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