Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute, fecally transmitted hepatitis in developing countries. Identification of HEV in indigenous human infection and in domestic pig raising the possibility that HEV infection is also a zoonosis. Molecular detection and epidemiology of HEV in humans (South-East Hungary) with acute hepatitis and in domestic (pig, cattle) and wild (boar and roe-deer) animals (countrywide) by ELISA and RT-PCR. Between 2001 and 2006, a total of 116 (9.6%) of 1203 human sera were positive by HEV IgM ELISA and 13 (24.5%) of 53 samples were also confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing. Forty-two (27.3%) of 154, 11 (34.4%) of 32 and 9 (12.2%) of 74 samples were RT-PCR-positive from swine (feces: 22.7%; liver: 30.8%), roe-deer (liver) and wild boar (liver), respectively. Except for an imported infection caused by genotype 1, 19 sequences (human: 12, swine: 4, roe-deer: 1, wild boar: 2) belong to genotype 3 HEV. Genetically identical strains were detected in human and roe-deer and in 2 other human clusters. HEV is an endemic agent in Hungary. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat-products is one of the possible sources of the indigenous HEV infections. Cross-species infection with genotype 3 HEV potentially involves a food-borne transmission route in Hungary.
AdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnimalsAnimals, DomesticAnimals, WildCattleEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFemaleGenotypeHepatitis AntibodiesHepatitis EHepatitis E virusHumansHungaryImmunoglobulin GMale
Structured evidence records
Evidence records
9 total
Zoonotic Surveillance4 records
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
HEV surveillance in domestic pigs, cattle, and wild boar and roe-deer across Hungary detected genotype 3 strains, showing endemic zoonotic circulation.
Molecular detection and epidemiology of HEV in humans (South-East Hungary) with acute hepatitis and in domestic (pig, cattle) and wild (boar and roe-deer) animals (countrywide) by ELISA and RT-PCR.
Method
ELISA; RT-PCR
Sample type
feces; liver
Geographic raw
Hungary
Country inferred
Hungary
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
RT-PCR surveillance detected genotype 3 hepatitis E virus in roe-deer liver samples from Hungary.
Forty-two (27.3%) of 154, 11 (34.4%) of 32 and 9 (12.2%) of 74 samples were RT-PCR-positive from swine (feces: 22.7%; liver: 30.8%), roe-deer (liver) and wild boar (liver), respectively.
Method
RT-PCR
Sample type
liver
Geographic raw
Hungary
Country inferred
Hungary
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
RT-PCR surveillance detected genotype 3 hepatitis E virus in wild boar liver samples from Hungary.
Forty-two (27.3%) of 154, 11 (34.4%) of 32 and 9 (12.2%) of 74 samples were RT-PCR-positive from swine (feces: 22.7%; liver: 30.8%), roe-deer (liver) and wild boar (liver), respectively.
Method
RT-PCR
Sample type
liver
Geographic raw
Hungary
Country inferred
Hungary
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
HEV surveillance included testing of cattle in Hungary by ELISA and RT-PCR as part of a multi-host monitoring effort.
Molecular detection and epidemiology of HEV in humans (South-East Hungary) with acute hepatitis and in domestic (pig, cattle) and wild (boar and roe-deer) animals (countrywide) by ELISA and RT-PCR.
Method
ELISA; RT-PCR
Geographic raw
Hungary
Country inferred
Hungary
Cross Species Transmission2 records
Cross Species TransmissionExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
Genotype 3 HEV strains were detected in swine, wild boar, and roe-deer, supporting animal-to-animal transmission among these species in Hungary.
Forty-two (27.3%) of 154, 11 (34.4%) of 32 and 9 (12.2%) of 74 samples were RT-PCR-positive from swine, roe-deer, and wild boar, respectively. Except for an imported infection caused by genotype 1, 19 sequences (human: 12, swine: 4, roe-deer: 1, wild boar: 2) belong to genotype 3 HEV.
Method
RT-PCR; sequencing
Study design
field surveillance
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Geographic raw
Hungary
Country inferred
Hungary
Cross Species TransmissionExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
Genotype 3 HEV strains were shared between swine and roe-deer, consistent with cross-species infection among animal hosts in Hungary.
Forty-two (27.3%) of 154, 11 (34.4%) of 32 and 9 (12.2%) of 74 samples were RT-PCR-positive from swine, roe-deer, and wild boar, respectively. Except for an imported infection caused by genotype 1, 19 sequences (human: 12, swine: 4, roe-deer: 1, wild boar: 2) belong to genotype 3 HEV.
Method
RT-PCR; sequencing
Study design
field surveillance
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Geographic raw
Hungary
Country inferred
Hungary
Genomic Evolution1 records
Genomic EvolutionExtraction confidence 0.85
Key finding
Sequence analysis revealed genotype 3 HEV strains are shared between humans and roe-deer in Hungary, evidencing cross-species circulation.
Except for an imported infection caused by genotype 1, 19 sequences (human: 12, swine: 4, roe-deer: 1, wild boar: 2) belong to genotype 3 HEV. Genetically identical strains were detected in human and roe-deer and in 2 other human clusters.
Genes or proteins
RNA, Viral
Analysis methods
RT-PCR; sequencing; genotype analysis
Serological Evidence1 records
Serological EvidenceExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
HEV IgM antibodies were detected in 9.6% of human serum samples in Hungary, providing serological evidence of human exposure to HEV.
Between 2001 and 2006, a total of 116 (9.6%) of 1203 human sera were positive by HEV IgM ELISA and 13 (24.5%) of 53 samples were also confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing.
Method
ELISA
Sample type
serum
Spillover Event1 records
Spillover EventExtraction confidence 0.80
Key finding
Genotype 3 hepatitis E virus sequences from roe-deer were genetically identical to those from humans in Hungary, indicating probable roe-deer to human transmission.
Genetically identical strains were detected in human and roe-deer and in 2 other human clusters. Cross-species infection with genotype 3 HEV potentially involves a food-borne transmission route in Hungary.
