Molecular detection of hepatitis E virus in sewage samples.

ABSTRACT: Human hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered an emerging pathogen in industrialized countries. In Italy, the true burden of HEV infection is unknown. Molecular HEV screening of raw sewage samples from 11 wastewater treatment plants yielded 19 positives (16%; 18 genotype I, 1 genotype III) evenly distributed throughout Italy. Evidence that HEV could be establishing itself in our region is accumulating and may justify more active surveillance to monitor its spread.

SUBMITTER: La Rosa G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2935059 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature