High Prevalence of Hepatitis E in Humans and Pigs and Evidence of Genotype-3 Virus in Swine, Madagascar

• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.12-0615
• Publication Date: 2012-12-04T15:51:11Z
• Authors: Sarah Temmam; Lydia Besnard; Soa Fy Andriamand...; Coralie Foray; Harentsoaniaina R...; Jean-Michel Héraud; Eric Cardinale; Koussay Dellagi; Nicole Pavio; Hervé Pascalis; Vincent Porphyre
• Keywords: Hepatitis E Virus; Seroprevalence; Zoonosis; Zoonotic disease

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes an orofecal disease transmitted through poor hygiene environments, contaminated food (mainly pork products), or by contacts with infected animals. Very little data are currently available regarding the in Southwestern Indian Ocean Islands. We report first sero- and viro-survey for HEV human swine Madagascar. A seroprevalence rate of 14.1% (60 427) was measured slaughterhouse workers. Seroprevalence to pigs estimated 71.2% (178 250), strongly suggesting existence a zoonotic cycle. Three out 250 pig livers (1.2%) tested RNA-positive quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analyses based on 1-kb sequences ORF 2-3 identified these viruses as genotype 3. Sequences clustered distinct Malagasy sub-clade, possibly representative new sub-genotype, which date emergence around 1989. Further studies needed confirm other transmission routes humans, especially non-zoonotic cycles.