Hepatitis E virus in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) captured around a pig farm.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmitted via the oral route through the consumption of contaminated water or uncooked or undercooked contaminated meat has been implicated in major outbreaks. Rats may play a critical role in HEV outbreaks, considering their negative effects on environmental hygiene and food sanitation. Although the serological evidence of HEV infection in wild rodents has been reported worldwide, the infectivity and propagation of HEV in wild rats remain unknown. To investigate if rats are a possible carrier of HEV, we studied wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were caught near a pig farm, where HEV was prevalent among the pigs.

Methods

We examined 56 Norway rats for HEV. RNA from internal organs was examined for RT-PCR and positive samples were

SUBMITTER: Kanai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3284388 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature