Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Strains from Pigs Farmed in Eight European Countries between 2020 and 2022.

ABSTRACT: In high-income countries, the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered an emerging threat causing autochthonous acute hepatitis in humans, with an increased number of reported cases over the last 10 years and related increased burden of chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised and transplant patients. Pigs are the main reservoir of the HEV-3 genotype, which is the most common in Europe, and can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of raw and undercooked pork products. Extensive sequencing revealed the existence of several HEV-3 subtypes in both humans and pigs, confirming a broad heterogeneity of the virus, with some subtypes, such as 3e, 3f, and 3c, which are predominant in Europe. In this study, 291 HEV sequences were obtained from pig feces sampled in more than 74 farms located i

SUBMITTER: De Sabato L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12016832 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature