1. Detection of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Feces of Capybaras (Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris) in Brazil
- Author
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Lia Cunha, Adriana Luchs, Lais S. Azevedo, Vanessa C. M. Silva, Marcilio F. Lemos, Antonio C. Costa, Adriana P. Compri, Yasmin França, Ellen Viana, Fernanda Malta, Roberta S. Medeiros, Raquel Guiducci, Simone G. Morillo, Michele S. Gomes-Gouvea, Deyvid Amgarten, João R. R. Pinho, and Regina C. Moreira
- Subjects
Hepatitis E virus ,genotype 3 ,public health ,phylogeny ,zoonosis ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen associated with relevant public health issues. The aim of this study was to investigate HEV presence in free-living capybaras inhabiting urban parks in São Paulo state, Brazil. Molecular characterization of HEV positive samples was undertaken to elucidate the genetic diversity of the virus in these animals. A total of 337 fecal samples were screened for HEV using RT-qPCR and further confirmed by conventional nested RT-PCR. HEV genotype and subtype were determined using Sanger and next-generation sequencing. HEV was detected in one specimen (0.3%) and assigned as HEV-3f. The IAL-HEV_921 HEV-3f strain showed a close relationship to European swine, wild boar and human strains (90.7–93.2% nt), suggesting an interspecies transmission. Molecular epidemiology of HEV is poorly investigated in Brazil; subtype 3f has been reported in swine. This is the first report of HEV detected in capybara stool samples worldwide.
- Published
- 2023
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