Serological and molecular investigation of hepatitis E virus in pigs reservoirs from Cameroon reveals elevated seroprevalence and presence of genotype 3.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen of which pigs have been established as reservoirs. In the present study, we investigated the presence of HEV among pigs in the Center and Littoral regions of Cameroon and performed the molecular characterization of positive strains.

Methodology

A total of 453 serum and stool samples were randomly collected from pigs in slaughterhouses in Obala, Douala and Yaounde. All samples were examined for the presence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA assays. IgM positive stool samples were tested for HEV RNA using an RT-PCR assay, followed by a nested PCR assay for sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Overall, 216 samples (47.7%, 95% CI: 43.1%-52.3%) were positive for at least one of the serological

SUBMITTER: Modiyinji AF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7010275 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature