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Origin and dispersal of Hepatitis E virus
Diego Forni1, Rachele Cagliani2, Mario Clerici3,4
1Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Italy. diego.forni@bp.lnf.it.
Emerging Microbes & Infections
|February 8, 2018
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) originated in Asia over 4,500 years ago, likely from a human ancestor. Its evolution is linked to human settlements, animal domestication, and the spread of HEV genotypes across species.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Virology
- Ancient DNA Analysis
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a significant global cause of hepatitis.
- Human-infecting HEV strains (Orthohepevirus A) encompass both human-restricted and enzootic genotypes.
- HEV strains also infect various animal species, including rabbits, camels, and swine.
Observation:
- A selection-informed method was employed to date the evolutionary origins of HEV.
- The Orthohepevirus genus dates back at least 21 million years.
- The Orthohepevirus A species originated in Asia between 4500 and 6800 years ago, likely from a human-infecting ancestor.
Findings:
- The emergence and spread of HEV in humans coincided with the development of large human settlements.
- Early HEV evolution involved the divergence of enzootic and human-restricted genotypes.
- The diversification of camel-infecting genotypes aligns with camel domestication, and HEV-3ra divergence correlates with rabbit domestication.
Implications:
- This research provides a clear timeline for the origin and historical dispersal of Hepatitis E virus.
- Understanding HEV's evolutionary history can inform future public health strategies and zoonotic disease research.
- The study highlights the intricate relationship between viral evolution, human activity, and animal domestication.
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