Seroepidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus in Macaca Mulatta from a Village in Yunnan, China, where Infection with this Virus Is Endemic

authors:

avatar Fen Huang 1 , avatar Wenhai Yu 1 , avatar Xiuguo Hua 2 , avatar Shenrong Jing 1 , avatar Weikun Zeng 1 , avatar Zhanlong He 3 , *

Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, China
Zoonosis Laboratory, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, hzl@imbcams.com, China
Hepatitis Monthly: Vol.11, issue 9; 745-749
article type: Research Article
received: April 14, 2011
accepted: July 18, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5812/kowsar.1735143X.730

how to cite: Huang F, Yu W, Hua X, Jing S, Zeng W, et al. Seroepidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus in Macaca Mulatta from a Village in Yunnan, China, where Infection with this Virus Is Endemic. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(9): 745-749. https://doi.org/10.5812/kowsar.1735143X.730.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a significant public health concern and has been identified as a zoonotic infection.
Objectives: Since no reports have characterized the epidemiological and genotypicfeatures of HEV infections in Macaca mulatta (rhesus macaques) from Yunnan, China, where swine HEV infections are endemic, we aimed to investigate these characteristics.
Materials and Methods: Seroepidemiological and molecular characterization of HEV in both Macaca mulatta and pigs from the Yunnan province of China were conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-nested PCR (RT-nPCR). Four hundred and eighty-two stool samples (320 from Macaca mulatta and 162 from pigs) and 92 serum samples (all from Macaca mulatta) were collected for the detection of HEV RNA and anti-HEV antibodies (IgG/IgM).
Results: Thirty-three rhesus macaques (35.87%) were positive for HEV IgG. Of these, 3 were also positive for HEV IgM. Four different strains of swine HEV RNA were detected in pigs; however, we failed to detect any in Macaca mulatta.
Conclusions: Results indicate that Macaca mulatta may not be a natural reservoir of HEV.
  •  Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
    Macaca mulatta are often used as HEV model to evaluate HEV vaccine, pathogenesis and xenotransplantation. This study was designed to investigate if Macaca mulatta can be natural host of the virus in area where HEV infection is endemic.
  • Please cite this paper as:
    Huang F, Yu W, Hua X, Jing S, Zeng W, He Z. Seroepidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis E Virus in Macaca Mulatta from a Village in Yunnan, China, where Infection with this Virus Is Endemic. Hepat Mon. 2011;11(9):745-9. DOI: 10.5812/ kowsar.1735143X.730

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