Hepatitis E is a viral disease usually self limiting with low mortality, but it can become chronic in transplanted patients and be highly lethal during pregnancy. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small RNA virus, which infects humans and several animal species. Four mammalian HEV genotypes are known, among which g3 and g4 are considered zoonotic. In Italy, g3 strains have been detected in swine farms and slaughterhouses, and were associated to human cases. Recently, swine HEV was detected in the pork food chain in four European countries.We have investigated the presence of HEV in liver sausage, which is often consumed uncooked in Italy, France, and other countries. In 2012, four packs (300 gr) of pork liver sausage were bought at a butcher bench, at 2 different times. Forty five portions (200 mg) were contaminated artificially with murine norovirus (MNV). After RNA extraction, samples were analyzed for detection of HEV, MNV (process control), and porcine adenovirus (pAdV, index virus of fecal contamination). HEV was evaluated by RT PCR, targeting several genomic regions. Altogether, 2 samples (4.4%) resulted positive for HEV in at least one PCR. Sequence analysis confirmed swine g3 HEV in both samples. PAdV was detected only once, in a HEV positive sample. Attempts to infect A549 cells with a HEV positive liver extract were repeatedly unsuccessful. This study confirms that pig liver sausage may contain HEV, possibly resulting from fecal contamination during improper slaughtering. Further studies to investigate residual HEV infectivity in pork, and consumer’s risks are needed.
Ilaria Di Bartolo, Giorgia Angeloni, Fabio Ostanello, Franco Maria Ruggeri (2013). Detection of Hepatitis E virus in swine liver sausage, in Italy. VIROLOGIE, 17, supplément 2, s195-s195.
Detection of Hepatitis E virus in swine liver sausage, in Italy
ANGELONI, GIORGIA;OSTANELLO, FABIO;
2013
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a viral disease usually self limiting with low mortality, but it can become chronic in transplanted patients and be highly lethal during pregnancy. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small RNA virus, which infects humans and several animal species. Four mammalian HEV genotypes are known, among which g3 and g4 are considered zoonotic. In Italy, g3 strains have been detected in swine farms and slaughterhouses, and were associated to human cases. Recently, swine HEV was detected in the pork food chain in four European countries.We have investigated the presence of HEV in liver sausage, which is often consumed uncooked in Italy, France, and other countries. In 2012, four packs (300 gr) of pork liver sausage were bought at a butcher bench, at 2 different times. Forty five portions (200 mg) were contaminated artificially with murine norovirus (MNV). After RNA extraction, samples were analyzed for detection of HEV, MNV (process control), and porcine adenovirus (pAdV, index virus of fecal contamination). HEV was evaluated by RT PCR, targeting several genomic regions. Altogether, 2 samples (4.4%) resulted positive for HEV in at least one PCR. Sequence analysis confirmed swine g3 HEV in both samples. PAdV was detected only once, in a HEV positive sample. Attempts to infect A549 cells with a HEV positive liver extract were repeatedly unsuccessful. This study confirms that pig liver sausage may contain HEV, possibly resulting from fecal contamination during improper slaughtering. Further studies to investigate residual HEV infectivity in pork, and consumer’s risks are needed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
