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Hepatitis E virus in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
Javier Caballero-Gómez1,2,3, Antonio Rivero-Juarez1,3, Irene Zorrilla4
1Grupo de Virología Clínica y Zoonosis, Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
|June 12, 2022
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) exposure is widespread in Iberian lynx populations, especially in captive animals. This study confirms HEV-3f circulation and highlights the endangered felid
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Wildlife Epidemiology
- Conservation Medicine
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen with wild boar as a primary reservoir in the Iberian Peninsula.
- Limited data exists on HEV circulation in sympatric species, including the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess HEV seroprevalence and prevalence in Iberian lynx (free-ranging and captive).
- To identify risk factors for HEV exposure in this felid species.
- To evaluate HEV seroconversion dynamics and detect viral RNA.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal serological analysis of 275 Iberian lynx samples (2010-2021) using ELISA and Western blot.
- RT-PCR testing of serum, liver, and fecal samples from 367 individuals for HEV RNA.
- Phylogenetic analysis of detected HEV strains.
Main Results:
- 18.2% of Iberian lynx tested positive for anti-HEV antibodies, with significantly higher rates in captive (33.6%) versus free-ranging (7.4%) individuals.
- Age was identified as a risk factor in captive lynx; 29.5% of longitudinally sampled animals seroconverted.
- HEV-3f RNA was detected in one free-ranging lynx, genetically similar to human strains from Spain and France.
Conclusions:
- Iberian lynx, particularly those in captivity, show significant exposure to HEV-3.
- Widespread HEV circulation is suggested in Iberian lynx populations.
- Further research is needed to determine the epidemiological role of Iberian lynx in HEV transmission.
