Detection of hepatitis E virus in pork liver sausages

Hepatitis E infection is regarded as an emerging public-health concern. The disease is normally self-limiting (mortality rate 1%), but chronic infections have recently been observed in transplanted patients. The etiological agent HEV is a small RNA virus infecting both humans and animals. In humans, the disease may be food-borne and pig is a main reservoir for zoonotic strains. In the present study, we evaluated the presence of HEV and swine fecal cross-contamination in pork liver sausages sold at a grocery store in Italy. HEV genome detection was performed by RT-qPCR, using harmonized protocols that included a process control (murine norovirus) and an internal amplification control. Swine fecal cross-contamination was assessed by determination of the ubiquitous porcine adenovirus. Overall, HEV genome belonging to genotype 3 was detected in both raw (10 out of 45 slices, 250 mg each, 22.2%) and dry (1 of 23 slices, 4.3%) liver sausages, but infectivity of the virus was not demonstrated. This pilot study fosters more investigations on HEV presence in pork-derived food, to assess the possible risk for the consumers.