Prevalence and genetic characterization of hepatitis E virus in paired samples of feces and serum from naturally infected pigs.

ABSTRACT: This study describes the distribution of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in a naturally infected swine population and the genetic relatedness of HEV strains on swine farms in Spain. Of fecal and serum samples collected from 131 pigs and manure-ditch samples collected from 17 farms, HEV was detected in 16%, 14%, and 59%, respectively, for an overall prevalence rate of 23%. The maximum prevalence rates for feces and serum were in pigs 5 to 12 wk old. A high prevalence of the virus in feces (18%) was observed in sows. Gene sequencing was performed on 6 strains from feces, serum, and manure ditch: the nucleotide identities varied from 81.5% to 99% when compared with those of other strains of genotype 3 isolated from swine. This is the first study in Europe to show the variation in virus distribution b

SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Barredo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1899872 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature