[An experimental infection in lambs by the hepatitis E virus]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a significant public health concern.
• Animal models are crucial for understanding HEV pathogenesis and developing interventions.
• Previous studies have explored HEV infection in various animal species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the susceptibility of lambs to human-derived HEV isolates.
• To characterize the clinical and pathological manifestations of HEV infection in lambs.
• To evaluate the potential for HEV passaging in lambs.

Main Methods:

• Experimental infection of lambs with HEV patient fecal isolates (Osh-225 and Osh-228).
• Monitoring of clinical signs, biochemical parameters, and histological changes.
• Detection of HEV RNA and virus-like particles in various tissues and fecal samples.
• Passaging of HEV from infected piglets to lambs.

Main Results:

• Lambs developed acute biochemical and histological hepatitis, mimicking human HE.
• HEV was shed in feces, and virus-like particles were found in lymph nodes and intestines.
• HEV RNA was detected in parenchymal organs of infected lambs.
• HEV passaging in lambs resulted in a shortened incubation period.

Conclusions:

• Lambs are susceptible to human-derived HEV and can serve as a model for HEV infection.
• Experimental HEV infection in lambs recapitulates key features of human hepatitis E.
• Passaging HEV in lambs offers a potential method to shorten the incubation period for experimental studies.