Seroepidemiological Survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Intensive Pig Farming in Vojvodina Province, Serbia
Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Sampling Strategy and Study Region
2.2. Serological Examination
2.2.1. In-House ELISA
2.2.2. Western Blot
2.3. Statistical Analyses
2.4. Ethical Statement
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Aggarwal, R.; Jameel, S. Hepatitis E. Hepatology 2011, 54, 2218–2226. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kumar, S.; Subhadra, S.; Singh, B.; Panda, B.K. Hepatitis E virus: The current scenario. Int. J. Infect. Dis. 2013, 17, e228–e233. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Meng, X.J.; Purcell, R.H.; Halbur, P.G.; Lehman, J.R.; Webb, D.M.; Tsareva, T.S.; Haynes, J.S.; Thacker, B.J.; Emerson, S.U. A novel virus in swine is closely related to the human hepatitis E virus. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1997, 94, 9860–9865. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Song, Y.J.; Park, W.J.; Park, B.J.; Lee, J.B.; Park, S.Y.; Song, C.S.; Lee, N.H.; Seo, K.H.; Kang, Y.S.; Choi, I.S. Hepatitis E virus infections in humans and animals. Clin. Exp. Vaccine Res. 2014, 3, 29–36. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Tei, S.; Kitajima, N.; Takahashi, K.; Mishiro, S. Zoonotic transmission of Hepatitis E virus from deer to human beings. Lancet 2003, 362, 371–373. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Colson, P.; Borentain, P.; Queyriaux, B.; Kaba, M.; Moal, V.; Gallian, P.; Heyries, L.; Raoult, D.; Gerolami, R. Pig liver sausage as a source of Hepatitis E virus transmission to humans. J. Infect. Dis. 2010, 202, 825–834. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Garbuglia, A.R.; Scognamiglio, P.; Petrosillo, N.; Mastroianni, C.M.; Sordillo, P.; Gentile, D.; La Scala, P.; Girardi, E.; Capobianchi, M.R. Hepatitis E virus genotype 4 outbreak, Italy, 2011. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2013, 19, 110–114. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Hoad, V.C.; Gibbs, T.; Ravikumara, M.; Nash, M.; Levy, A.; Tracy, S.L.; Mews, C.; Perkowska-Guse, Z.; Faddy, H.M.; Bowden, S. First confirmed case of transfusion-transmitted Hepatitis E in Australia. Med. J. Aust. 2017, 206, 289–290. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lange, H.; Øverbø, J.; Borgen, K.; Dudman, S.; Hoddevik, G.; Urdahl, A.M.; Vold, L.; Sjurseth, S.K. Hepatitis E in Norway: Seroprevalence in humans and swine. Epidemiol. Infect. 2017, 145, 181–186. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Wu, J.Y.; Lau, E.H.Y.; Lu, M.L.; Guo, C.; Guo, Z.M.; Yuanm, J.; Lu, J.H. An occupational risk of hepatitis E virus infection in the workers along the meat supply chains in Guangzhou, China. One Health 2022, 14, 100376. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Kamar, N.; Dalton, H.R.; Abravanel, F.; Izopet, J. Hepatitis E virus infection. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2014, 27, 116–138. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Available online: https://ictv.global/report/chapter/hepeviridae/hepeviridae (accessed on 25 September 2024).
- Letafati, A.; Taghiabadi, Z.; Roushanzamir, M.; Memarpour, B.; Seyedi, S.; Farahani, A.V.; Norouzi, M.; Karamian, S.; Zebardast, A.; Mehrabinia, M.; et al. Correction: From discovery to treatment: Tracing the path of hepatitis E virus. Virol. J. 2024, 21, 214. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Meng, X.J. Hepatitis E virus: Animal reservoirs and zoonotic risk. Vet. Microbiol. 2010, 140, 256–265. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Salines, M.; Andraud, M.; Rose, N. From the epidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV) within the swine reservoir to public health risk mitigation strategies: A comprehensive review. Vet. Res. 2017, 48, 31. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Salines, M.; Barnaud, E.; Andraud, M.; Eono, F.; Renson, P.; Bourry, O.; Pavio, N.; Rose, N. Hepatitis E virus chronic infection of swine co-infected with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus. Vet. Res. 2015, 46, 55. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Li, P.; Ji, Y.; Li, Y.; Ma, Z.; Pan, Q. Estimating the global prevalence of hepatitis E virus in swine and pork products. One Health 2021, 14, 100362. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sooryanarain, H.; Meng, X.J. Swine hepatitis E virus: Cross-species infection, pork safety and chronic infection. Virus Res. 2020, 284, 197985. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Meester, M.; Tobias, T.J.; Bouwknegt, M.; Kusters, N.E.; Stegeman, J.A.; van der Poel, W.H.M. Infection dynamics and persistence of hepatitis E virus on pig farms—A review. Porcine Health Manag. 2021, 7, 16. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Serbia. 2023. Available online: https://publikacije.stat.gov.rs/G2023/PdfE/G20232056.pdf (accessed on 6 December 2024).
- Jeremić, M.; Lovre, K.; Matkovski, B. Serbian pork market analysis. Econ. Agric. 2018, 65, 1449–1460. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lupulovic, D.; Lazic, S.; Prodanov-Radulovic, J.; Oya, N.J.; Escribano-Romero, E.; Saiz, J.; Petrovic, T. First serological study of hepatitis E virus infection in backyard pigs from Serbia. Food Environ. Virol. 2010, 2, 110–113. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kureljušić, B.; Savić, B.; Jezdimirović, N.; Kureljušić, J.; Milićević, V.; Karabasil, N.; Vesković, M.S.; Žutić, J. Seroprevalence of hepatitis E in pigs and wild boars in the region of the city Belgrade. J. Infect. Dev. Ctries. 2020, 14, 669–673. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Milojević, L.; Velebit, B.; Janković, V.; Mitrović, R.; Betić, N.; Simunović, S.; Dimitrijević, M. Prevalence, Genetic Diversity, and Quantification of the RNA Genome of the Hepatitis E Virus in Slaughtered Pigs in Serbia. Animals 2024, 14, 586. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Petrović, T.; Lupulović, D.; Jiménez de Oya, N.; Vojvodić, S.; Blázquez, A.B.; Escribano-Romero, E.; Martín-Acebes, M.A.; Potkonjak, A.; Milošević, V.; Lazić, S.; et al. Prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies in Serbian blood donors. J. Infect. Dev. Ctries. 2014, 8, 1322–1327. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Delić, D.; Nešić, Z.I.; Žerjav, S.B.; Pešić, I.; Popović, N.; Simonović, J. Hepatitis E virus infection in Serbia: Epidemiology and clinical features. Arch. Gastroenterohepatol. 2003, 22, 53–56. [Google Scholar]
- Jiménez de Oya, N.; Galindo, I.; Gironés, O.; Duizer, E.; Escribano, J.M.; Saiz, J.C. Serological Immunoassay for Detection of Hepatitis E Virus on theBasis of Genotype 3 Open Reading Frame 2 Recombinant Proteins Produced in Trichoplusia ni Larvae. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2009, 47, 3276–3282. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Jiménez de Oya, N.; Galindo, I.; Romero, E.E.; Blázquez, A.B.; Padilla, J.A.; Halaihel, N.; Escribano, J.M.; Saiz, J.C. Expression and Immunoreactivities of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 Open Reading Frame-2 (ORF-2) Recombinant Proteins Expressed in Insect Cells. Food Environ. Virol. 2009, 1, 77–84. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Casas, M.; Pujols, J.; Rosell, R.; de Deus, N.; Peralta, B.; Pina, S.; Casal, J.; Martín, M. Retrospective serological study on hepatitis E infection in pigs from 1985 to 1997 in Spain. Vet. Microbiol. 2009, 135, 248–252. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Baechlein, C.; Schielke, A.; Johne, R.; Ulrich, R.G.; Baumgaertner, W.; Grummer, B. Prevalence of Hepatitis E virus-specific antibodies in sera of German domestic pigs estimated by using different assays. Vet. Microbiol. 2010, 144, 187–191. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pismisheva, M.; Baymakova, M.; Golkocheva-Markova, E.; Kundurzhiev, T.; Pepovich, R.; Popov, G.T.; Tsachev, I. First serological study of hepatitis E virus infection in pigs in Bulgaria. Comptes Rendus Acad. Bulg. Des Sci. 2018, 71, 1001–1008. [Google Scholar]
- Liu, D.; Liu, B.; He, Z.; Qiao, C.; Luo, Q.; Chen, X.; Wang, X.; Xiang, H.; Chen, J.; Zhang, P.; et al. Seroprevalence survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Domestic Pigs in Guangdong, China. Animals 2024, 14, 1861. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Asimoula, S.; Tzika, E.; Alexopoulos, C.; Kyriakis, S.C.; Froesner, G. First report of serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in swine in northern Greece. Acta Vet. 2009, 59, 205–211. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Di Cola, G.; Di Cola, G.; Fantilli, A.; Mamani, V.; Tamiozzo, P.; Martínez Wassaf, M.; Nates, S.V.; Ré, V.E.; Pisano, M.B. High circulation of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in pigs from the central region of Argentina without evidence of virus occurrence in pork meat and derived products. Res. Vet. Sci. 2023, 164, 105000. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Bartolo, I.D.; Martelli, F.; Inglese, N.; Pourshaban, M.; Caprioli, A.; Ostanello, F.; Rugger, F.M. Widespread diffusion of genotype 3 hepatitis E virus among farming swine in Northern Italy. Vet. Microbiol. 2008, 132, 47–55. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hinjoy, S.; Nelson, K.E.; Gibbons, R.V.; Jarman, R.G.; Chinnawirotpisan, P.; Fernandez, S.; Tablerk, P.; Labrique, A.B.; Patchanee, P. A cross-sectional study of hepatitis E virus infection in pigs in different-sized farms in northern Thailand. Foodborne Pathog. Dis. 2013, 10, 698–704. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pavio, N.; Meng, X.J.; Renou, C. Zoonotic hepatitis E: Animal reservoirs and emerging risks. Vet. Res. 2010, 41, 46. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- de Deus, N.; Seminati, C.; Pina, S.; Mateu, E.; Martín, M.; Segalés, J. Detection of hepatitis E virus in liver, mesenteric lymph node, serum, bile and faeces of naturally infected pigs affected by different pathological conditions. Vet. Microbiol. 2007, 119, 105–114. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Casas, M.; Cortés, R.; Pina, S.; Peralta, B.; Allepuz, A.; Cortey, M.; Casal, J.; Martín, M. Longitudinal study of hepatitis E virus infection in Spanish farrow-to-finish swine herds. Vet. Microbiol. 2011, 148, 27–34. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Vitral, C.L.; Pinto, M.A.; Lewis-Ximenez, L.L.; Khudyakov, Y.E.; dos Santos, D.R.; Gaspar, A.M. Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in different animal species from the Southeast of Brazil. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 2005, 100, 117–122. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Guimarães, F.R.; Saddi, T.M.; Vitral, C.L.; Pinto, M.A.; Gaspar, A.M.C.; Souto, F.J.D. Hepatitis E Virus antibodies in swine herds of Mato Grosso state, central Brazil. Braz. J. Microbiol. 2005, 36, 223–226. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Martinelli, N.; Pavoni, E.; Filogari, D.; Ferrari, N.; Chiari, M.; Canelli, E.; Lombardi, G. Hepatitis E virus in wild boar in the central Northern part of Italy. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2015, 62, 217–222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Seminati, C.; Mateu, E.; Peralta, B.; de Deus, N.; Martin, M. Distribution of hepatitis E virus infection and its prevalence in pigs on commercial farms in Spain. Vet. J. 2008, 175, 130–132. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Meng, X.J.; Dea, S.; Engle, R.E.; Friendship, R.; Lyoo, Y.S.; Sirinarumitr, T.; Urairong, K.; Wang, D.; Wong, D.; Yoo, D.; et al. Prevalence of antibodies to the hepatitis E virus in pigs from countries where hepatitis E is common or is rare in the human population. J. Med. Virol. 1999, 59, 297–302. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Clemente-Casares, P.; Pina, S.; Buti, M.; Jardi, R.; Martin, M.; Bofill-Mas, S.; Girones, R. Hepatitis E virus epidemiology in industrialized countries. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2003, 9, 448–454. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Choi, I.S.; Kwon, H.J.; Shin, N.R.; Yoo, H.S. Identification of Swine Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) and Prevalence of Anti-HEV Antibodies in Swine and Human Populations in Korea. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2003, 41, 3602–3608. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pavia, G.; Gioffrè, A.; Pirolo, M.; Visaggio, D.; Clausi, M.T.; Gherardi, M.; Samele, P.; Ciambrone, L.; Di Natale, R.; Spatari, G.; et al. Seroprevalence and phylogenetic characterization of hepatitis E virus in pig farms in Southern Italy. Prev. Vet. Med. 2021, 194, 105448. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jiménez de Oya, N.; de Blas, I.; Blázquez, A.B.; Martín-Acebes, M.A.; Halaihel, N.; Gironés, O.; Saiz, J.C.; Escribano-Romero, E. Widespread distribution of hepatitis E virus in Spanish pig herds. BMC Res. Notes. 2011, 14, 412. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Category | Farm A Pos/Tested (%) | Farm B Pos/Tested (%) | Farm C Pos/Tested (%) | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|---|
suckling piglets | 5/20 (25%) | 0/20 (0%) | 15/20 (75%) | 0.0000 |
weaners | 2/20 (10%) | 5/20 (25%) | 16/20 (80%) | 0.0000 |
gilts | 12/20 (60%) | 11/20 (55%) | 3/20 (15%) | 0.0070 |
sows | 9/20 (45%) | 4/20 (20%) | 3/20 (15%) | 0.0712 |
fatteners | 9/20 (45%) | 11/20 (55%) | 17/20 (85%) | 0.0255 |
Total: | 37/100 (37%) | 31/100 (31%) | 54/100 (54%) | 0.00274 |
Category | HEV IgG (+) Pos/Tested (%) | HEV IgG (−) Neg/Tested (%) | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|
suckling piglets | 20/60 (33.33%) | 40/60 (66.67%) | 0.00155 |
weaners | 23/60 (38.33%) | 37/60 (61.67%) | |
gilts | 26/60 (43.33%) | 34/60 (56.67%) | |
sows | 16/60 (26.66%) | 44/60 (73.34%) | |
fatteners | 37/60 (61.66%) | 23/60 (38.34%) | |
Total: | 122/300 (40.66%) | 178/300 (59.34%) |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Lupulović, D.; Gnjatović, M.; Prodanov-Radulović, J.; Ćujić, D.; Gajdov, V.; Samojlović, M.; Petrović, T. Seroepidemiological Survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Intensive Pig Farming in Vojvodina Province, Serbia. Animals 2025, 15, 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020151
Lupulović D, Gnjatović M, Prodanov-Radulović J, Ćujić D, Gajdov V, Samojlović M, Petrović T. Seroepidemiological Survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Intensive Pig Farming in Vojvodina Province, Serbia. Animals. 2025; 15(2):151. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020151
Chicago/Turabian StyleLupulović, Diana, Marija Gnjatović, Jasna Prodanov-Radulović, Danica Ćujić, Vladimir Gajdov, Milena Samojlović, and Tamaš Petrović. 2025. "Seroepidemiological Survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Intensive Pig Farming in Vojvodina Province, Serbia" Animals 15, no. 2: 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020151
APA StyleLupulović, D., Gnjatović, M., Prodanov-Radulović, J., Ćujić, D., Gajdov, V., Samojlović, M., & Petrović, T. (2025). Seroepidemiological Survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Intensive Pig Farming in Vojvodina Province, Serbia. Animals, 15(2), 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020151