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Antibodies against hepatitis E virus in Old World monkeys
V A Arankalle1, M K Goverdhan, K Banerjee
1National Institute of Virology, Pune, India.
Journal of Viral Hepatitis
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) circulates in Indian monkeys, with rhesus and bonnet macaques showing significant infection rates. Naturally occurring antibodies offer some protection, but its effectiveness varies.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Primatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a significant human pathogen.
- The prevalence and role of HEV in non-human primate populations, particularly in India, remain underexplored.
- Understanding zoonotic potential requires investigating HEV circulation in relevant animal reservoirs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies in wild Indian monkeys (rhesus, bonnet, and langur).
- To assess the protective efficacy of naturally acquired antibodies against HEV infection in rhesus monkeys.
- To investigate the potential for HEV transmission and circulation within Indian macaque populations.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from wild rhesus, bonnet, and langur monkeys were screened for anti-HEV IgG antibodies using recombinant antigen-based ELISA.
- Rhesus monkeys with varying anti-HEV antibody titers were experimentally inoculated with different HEV strains (KOL-91 and AKL-90).
- Viral presence in feces and changes in serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were monitored using PCR and biochemical assays, respectively.
Main Results:
- Positivity rates for anti-HEV IgG antibodies were 36.7% in rhesus monkeys, 19.1% in bonnet monkeys, and 2% in langur monkeys.
- Naturally occurring anti-HEV antibodies demonstrated titre-dependent protection, with higher titers offering partial protection against experimental HEV challenge.
- HEV infection was successfully induced in antibody-negative control monkeys, confirming susceptibility and the ability to produce infection with both strains.
Conclusions:
- Human or simian HEV, or a closely related virus, is actively circulating among Indian macaques.
- Naturally acquired anti-HEV antibodies in macaques provide a degree of protection, suggesting a role in modulating HEV infection.
- These findings highlight the importance of Indian macaques as potential reservoirs for HEV, with implications for zoonotic transmission and public health surveillance.