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Patrinia punctiflora is a medical and edible Chinese herb with high nutritional and medicinal value. The continuing study of its chemical constituents led to the isolation of six iridoids, which were previously unreported compounds, patriscabioins PU (1-6). Their structures were characterized and confirmed with NMR (1D & 2D), HRMS, IR and UV. Among them, compound 5 was screened to evaluate its insulin resistance activity on an IR-HepG-2 cell model. Compound 5 had no cytotoxicity compared with the control group and could promote glucose uptake in IR-HepG-2 cells. Through further mechanism studies, the undescribed compound 5 could increase the expression levels of PI-3 K, p-AKT, GLUT4 and p-GSK3β proteins. Moreover, the expression of PEPCK and G6Pase proteins, which are key gluconeogenic enzymes, was also inhibited. Thus, compound 5 promotes the transfer of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane by activating the PI-3 K/AKT signaling pathway, at the same time, promotes glycogen synthesis and inhibits the onset of gluconeogenesis, which in turn ameliorates insulin resistance., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to discover the HIV infection and associated factors among male sex workers (MSW) who provide sexual services for men. Data from this study thus can be used to provide evidence for designing related intervention programs. Methods: In this observational study, MSW were recruited from May to July, 2019 in KTV venues in Wuxi, China. A questionnaire was used to collect information with blood sample collected and tested for HIV and syphilis. EpiData 3.0 and SPSS 17.0 software were used to clean up data and statistical analysis. Results: A number of 500 MSW were involved including 243 (48.6 % ) heterosexual and 257 (51.4 % ) homosexual MSW. The overall HIV prevalence was 5.4 % (27/500) among all the MSW. there were significant differences between the HIV prevalence rates, the heterosexual MSW (3.3 % , 8/243) and the homosexual MSW (7.4 % , 19/257)( χ (2)=4.112, P =0.043). In the past 3 months, 28.0 % (72/257) of the homosexual MSW mainly engaged in receptive anal sex which was higher than 11.5 % (28/243) of the heterosexual MSW. Compared to 15.6 % (40/257) of the homosexual MSW who engaged in heterosexual behavior, a higher proportion of 98.4 % (239/243) was noticed among the heterosexual MSW. Higher percentage (44.9 % , 109/243) appeared among the heterosexual MSW who had not been tested for HIV than the homosexual MSW (20.6 % , 53/257). Results from logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that age ≥30 (a OR =7.54, 95 %CI : 2.53-37.11), having unprotected anal sexual practice (a OR =3.76, 95 %CI :1.15-12.23), having anal sex after drinking alcohol (a OR =10.91, 95 %CI : 2.29-51.87) and syphilis tested positive (a OR =8.23, 95 %CI :1.29-52.51) were risk factors associated with HIV infection among the heterosexual MSW. Having unprotected anal sexual behavior (a OR =2.94, 95 %CI : 1.17-7.37), having group anal sex (a OR =4.08, 95 %CI :1.05-15.81), without record on HIV testing (a OR =6.58, 95 %CI : 2.01-18.06) and syphilis tested positive (a OR =4.55, 95 %CI : 1.15-18.06) were risk factors associated with HIV among the homosexual MSW. Conclusions: High HIV prevalence was discovered among both heterosexual and homosexual MSW in Wuxi, China. Differences in sexual behaviors between these two groups should be considered when designing targeted HIV intervention programs for these populations.

Objective: To understand the current status of synthetic drug use and associated factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) at high risk of HIV infection. Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, Wuxi and Shenzhen through January to August 2017. MSM at high risk of HIV infection were recruited from attendants at the health clinics, through internet advertisement and snowball sampling method. Eligible MSM were the ones who had met the following criteria: ≥18 years old, having either 2 male sex partners, or condomless anal sex with a casual male sex partner, or a STD historg during the past 6 months. Data regarding demographic, sexual behavior, HIV/STD testing history and previous drug use were collected by sely-administered questionnaires. Blood was also drawn for HIV testing. Results: Of the 603 MSM at high risk of HIV, 25.5 % (154/603, 95 %CI : 22.0 % -29.0 % ) of them had used drugs in the past 6 months, including 29.1 % (88/302, 95 %CI : 24.0 % -34.3 % ) in Guangzhou, 26.3 % (40/152, 95 %CI : 19.2 % -33.4 % ) in Shenzhen, and 17.4 % (26/149, 95 %CI : 11.3 % -23.6 % ) in Wuxi. 'Rush' (85.1 % , 131/154) was the most commonly used drug. Results from the multivariable logistic regression revealed that drug use was associated with the following factors: having multiple casual sexual partners (a OR =3.24, 95 %CI : 1.29-7.43) and alcohol use (a OR =1.78, 95 %CI : 1.12-2.80) in the past 6 months after adjusting for age, education and monthly income. Conclusions: Drug use seemed common among MSM population at high risk of HIV infection and was associated with higher risk behavior that leading to HIV infection. Synthetic drug use among MSM deserved more attention.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of blood donation and associated factors in men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Methods: Our observational study was conducted between January and August, 2017 in 3 cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Wuxi. Eligible participants were MSM (≥18 years old) who had either ≥2 male sex partners or unprotected anal sex with casual partners, or had been diagnosed with STI in the past 6 months. A self-completed tablet-based questionnaire was used to collect the information about MSM's socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors and blood donation history. Results: A total of 603 MSM were enrolled in our study, including 302 in Guangzhou, 152 in Shenzhen and 149 in Wuxi, with a mean age of 27.9 years ( SD =7.8). Overall, 29.2% (176/603) of the MSM reported a history of blood donation, and 33.1% (100/302)in Guangzhou, 27.6% (42/152) in Shenzhen and 22.8% (34/149) in Wuxi, the differences were not significant ( χ (2)=6.421, P =0.093). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that MSM had ever tested for HIV for ≥2 times in the past 12 months ( vs. MSM tested for HIV one time, a OR =1.49, 95 %CI : 1.08-2.19) or who had ever used gay dating app ( vs. MSM who not used gay dating app, a OR =2.13, 95 %CI : 1.12-4.44) were more likely to donate blood. Conclusions: Blood donation was common in MSM in China. Health education about blood donation in MSM should be strengthened to ensure the blood safety.

Objective: To understand the current situation of schistosomiasis health education in in Wuxi City where schistosomiasis transmission has been interrupted, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the health education strategies., Methods: Face to face interviews and a professional designed questionnaire were used to collect the information of the current schistosomiasis health education and investigate the awareness of schistosomiasis knowledge in primary and middle schools and in communities., Results: The total awareness rate of schistosomiasis knowledge was 87.7% among 873 students and the figure was 83.0% among 693 community residents. The students who studied in the schools with more than 1 class hour of schistosomiasis health education, completed schistosomiasis health education material or teaching plan, and implementing health education through multiple ways had higher knowledge awareness rates compared with the schools without (χ2 = 291.408, 709.622, 13.751, all P <0.001). The residents living in the communities with schistosomiasis health education through broadcast/TV or square propaganda had a higher knowledge awareness rate compared with the communities without (χ2= 90.772, 47.436, all P < 0.001)., Conclusion: The awareness rates of schistosomiasis knowledge among both students and community residents in Wuxi City are low. Therefore, the schistosomiasis control health education should be strengthened.

Objective: To understand the distribution and characteristics of historical Oncomelania hupensis snail environments and wetland environments in Wuxi City since 1952, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the monitoring strategy after the schistosomiasis transmission was interrupted., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect the information of historical O. hupensis snail environments and wetland environments. Google Earth was used to present and analyze the distribution and characteristics of them., Results: There were 2 124 historical O. hupensis snail environments in Wuxi City and the accumulative area was 2 995.7 hm2. In 2013, there were 61 surveillance sites of wetland with the area of 32.8 hm2; totally 1 695 snails were caught and no O. hupensis snails were found., Conclusion: The historical O. hupensis snail environments were distributed widely and covered a large area in Wuxi City. The surveillance should be focused on the key environments and wetland.

Unlabelled: Coronaviruses are known to infect humans and other animals and cause respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Here we report the emergence of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in the United States and determination of its origin, evolution, and genotypes based on temporal and geographical evidence. Histological lesions in small intestine sections of affected pigs and the complete genomic sequences of three emergent strains of PEDV isolated from outbreaks in Minnesota and Iowa were characterized. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of the three U.S. strains revealed a close relationship with Chinese PEDV strains and their likely Chinese origin. The U.S. PEDV strains underwent evolutionary divergence, which can be classified into two sublineages. The three emergent U.S. strains are most closely related to a strain isolated in 2012 from Anhui Province in China, which might be the result of multiple recombination events between different genetic lineages or sublineages of PEDV. Molecular clock analysis of the divergent time based on the complete genomic sequences is consistent with the actual time difference, approximately 2 to 3 years, of the PED outbreaks between China (December 2010) and the United States (May 2013). The finding that the emergent U.S. PEDV strains share unique genetic features at the 5'-untranslated region with a bat coronavirus provided further support of the evolutionary origin of PEDV from bats and potential cross-species transmission. The data from this study have important implications for understanding the ongoing PEDV outbreaks in the United States and will guide future efforts to develop effective preventive and control measures against PEDV., Importance: The sudden emergence of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a coronavirus, for the first time in the United States causes significant economic and public health concerns. Since its recognition in May 2013, PEDV has rapidly spread across the United States, resulting in high mortality in piglets in more than 17 States now. The ongoing outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in humans from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula and the historical deadly nature of the 2002 outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus create further anxiety over the emergence of PEDV in the United States due to the lack of scientific information about the origin and evolution of this emerging coronavirus. Here we report the detailed genetic characterization, origin, and evolution of emergent PEDV strains in the United States. The results provide much needed information to devise effective preventive and control strategies against PEDV in the United States.

The clinical experience of Professor LIU Kong-teng's needling techniques and methods of the penetrating needling from Neiguan (PC 6) to Waiguan (TE 5) in the treatment of various diseases is introduced in this paper. The acupoints characteristics, penetrating needling techniques and methods and the clinical indications are summarized. Examples of Elbow flaccid paralysis, headache, insomnia, neck contracture, vomiting, hiccups, heart disease, the acute abdominal pain, acute lumbar sprain, acute ankle joint sprain and periarthritis of shoulder are given to explain techniques and methods of the penetrating acupuncture.

Through retrieving of literature relevant to LIU Zhang-jie, his practicing and teaching experience in Quanzhou city are investigated, and his modern education thoughts are summarized in this article as well. It is found that LIU attached great importance on both apprenticeship and classroom teaching; he highlighted the theory of meridians and the classic of Treaties on Febrile Diseases; recommending selection of less points, and focusing on finger force during practice, he prefered to combine acupuncture with materia medica. He was practical and realistic, and never hide his mistakes. He also brought along and passed his ideas of acupuncture teach to his students. The medical ethic of SUN Si-miao was the one he advocated. He also spared no effort to write books and teach materials which played important roles in the spread of Chengjiang Acupuncture School.

HUANG Zong-xu, who studied from Mr. Cheng Dan-an, the founder of Chengjiang acupuncture school, is a famous acupuncturist of Fujian Province. Through collecting and sorting of Mr. Huang's theses and medical records, his academic characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion were summarized as follows. Paying attention to meridians and collaterals and treatment based on syndrome differentiation; valuing the needling sensation as well as being good at reinforcing and reducing methods; thinking highly of taking care of spleen and stomach, ombination of needles and herbal medicine to treat difficult miscellaneous diseases; being adept in externd therapy and penetration needling and diet prescriptions, as well as attaching importance on health preserving.

Through consultation of the historical literatures on Mr. CHEN Ying-long, investigating his teaching experiences in Xiamen Hospital of TCM and Xiamen University, the characteristics of his educational idea on acupuncture-moxibustion, are found as follows: great significance is found in the dissemination of Chengjiang acupuncture school in Minnan area of China and abroad through the combination of the succession of education from a masters to disciples and the classroom teaching; importance is attached to medical ethics, and priority is put on building up ethics and teaching by precept and example. In order to inherit the Chengjiang acupuncture school, Mr. CHEN focuses on fostering a proper studying method, emphasizes on the basic skills of acupuncture, reinforces clinical practice and techniques, edits books, and imparts knowledge and solves doubts.

Mr. LIU Zhang-jie, one of the disciples of CHENG Dan-an who is considered as the initiator of the Chengjiang acupuncture school, is a famous acupuncturist in Fujian Province. With the collection and arrangement of Mr. LIU's literatures, medical records, books and interview of his student. ZHANG Yong-shu, Mr. LIU's academic characteristics are analyzed and summarized in this paper, mainly including being focused on finger power and manipulating without pain; being good at direct moxibustion to elevate yang-qi and drive out evil spirits; highlighting meridian syndrome differentiation and combined use of the four diagnostic methods; each disease has its own pathogeny, eliminating pathogen is the key; valuing the curative effect with flexible apply of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. In a word, Mr. LIU, who inherited the school's scholarism and developed it into next level, is one of Chengjiang acupuncture school's representative figures.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important human pathogen. In addition to humans, HEV has also been identified in pig, chicken, mongoose, deer, rat, rabbit and fish. There are four recognized and two putative genotypes of mammalian HEV. Genotypes 1 and 2 are restricted to humans, while genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic. The recently identified rabbit HEV is a distant member of genotype 3. Here, we first expressed and purified the recombinant capsid protein of rabbit HEV and showed that the capsid protein of rabbit HEV cross-reacted with antibodies raised against avian, rat, swine and human HEV. Conversely, we showed that antibodies against rabbit HEV cross-reacted with capsid proteins derived from chicken, rat, swine and human HEV. Since pigs are the natural host of genotype 3 HEV, we then determined if rabbit HEV infects pigs. Twenty pigs were divided into five groups of four each and intravenously inoculated with PBS, US rabbit HEV, Chinese rabbit HEV, US rat HEV and swine HEV, respectively. Results showed that only half of the pigs inoculated with rabbit HEV had low levels of viraemia and faecal virus shedding, indicative of active but not robust HEV infection. Infection of pigs by rabbit HEV was further verified by transmission of the virus recovered from pig faeces to naïve rabbits. Pigs inoculated with rat HEV showed no evidence of infection. Preliminary results suggest that rabbit HEV is antigenically related to other HEV strains and infects pigs and that rat HEV failed to infect pigs.

CHEN Ying-long is a famous acupuncturist in modern China. He is one of the disciples of CHENG Dan-an who is considered as the initiator of the Chengjiang acupuncture school. Through collecting and sorting of CHEN's theses and medical records which carried on and developed the Chengjiang acupuncture school, it is found that his academic features of acupuncture manifested in the following points: attaching importance on prac tice of qi and finger force; valuing the reinforcing and reducing manipulations according to midnight-noon and ebb-flow doctrine; utilizing moxibustion to treat difficult and complicated diseases; applied group points to treat chronic diseases; good at treating manic type of mental disorder with deep acupuncture at Fengfu (GV 16).

Background: As a new category of blood pressure (BP) classification according to the Seventh Report of The Joint National Committee, prehypertension has aroused people's great concern in recent years due to its associations with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, there is little information about the epidemiology of prehypertension in urban China. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and to identify its risk factors among urban Chinese men and women., Methods: A cross-sectional survey in a representative sample of 25 196 Chinese adults aged 18-74 years was conducted in three cities of northeast of China during 2009 and 2010. Body weight, height, waist circumference, and BP were measured by trained observers., Results: Overall, the prevalence of prehypertension was 56.9%, men 71.1% and women 44.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that higher education or a higher family income were risk factors of prehypertension among men, but shown as protective factors among women. Among men, high odds ratios (ORs) of prehypertension were found in overweight [OR 2.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02-2.71] and obese (OR 7.92, 95% CI 4.36-14.42) adults (defined as body mass index), whereas abdominal obesity (OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.48-3.57) (defined as waist circumference) was the main determinant for prehypertension status in women., Conclusion: Our results indicate that hypertension is highly prevalent in urban China and there is a sex difference in the relationships between risk factors and prehypertension.

Background: The Seventh Report of The Joint National Committee has recently introduced the prehypertension category of blood pressure (BP) status that needs monitoring and intervention. Little is known about the epidemiology of prehypertension in urban China, so this study aimed at estimating the prevalence of prehypertension and identifying risk factors in urban Chinese adults., Methods and Results: Using a multistage cluster and random sampling method, a representative sample of 25,196 urban adults aged 18-74 years in northeast of China was selected from 2009 to 2010. The survey of BP and associated risk factors was carried out in 33 communities. Multiple logistic regression methods were used to identify risk factors for prehypertension. Overall, 40.5% of urban Chinese adults had prehypertension, with a prevalence of 47.7% and 33.6% in men and women, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the risk factors of being overweight (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26-1.52), obesity (aOR=3.94, 95%CI: 2.99-5.20), central obesity (aOR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.96-2.32). Being female, and having a higher education level, higher family income and diet control were protective factors., Conclusions: Prehypertension is common among urban residents in China, and is associated with many risk factors. Comprehensive lifestyle modifications need to be taken to decrease the incidence of prehypertension and to prevent prehypertension progressing to hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To understand the status on AIDS awareness, AIDS-related behaviors, risk factors on HIV infection status among 15 - 90 years or older men at the sexually transmitted disease clinics., Methods: Data from the 2009 and 2010 national sentinel surveillance system, regarding men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics was collected from Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Sichuan, Yunnan and Jiangxi provinces, where the AIDS epidemic among 15 - 90 years or older population was serious. Data was uploaded to National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention (NCAIDS) through the comprehensive AIDS control and prevention information system. Data was then analyzed by SPSS 18.0., Results: A total of 64 003 pieces of data were collected. Among them, 8783 (13.7%) were related to men at ≥ 50 years or older, and to men 15 - 49 years older were 55 220. The rates on the awareness of AIDS knowledge were from 69.6% vs. 80.1%, on frequently having had commercial sexual contacts in the last three months were between 34.1% vs. 36.6%, on having had casual sexual contact in the last three months were 18.7% vs. 28.4%, on having had homosexual anal intercourse as 0.7% vs. 1.4%. The rates of taking HIV antibody testing in the last year (14.3% vs. 17.1%) among this population were all significantly lower than the rate among the 15 to 49 years age group. However, the HIV-positive rate among the older age group (fifty years of age or older) was significantly higher than the rate among 15 to 49 year age group (1.1% vs. 0.7%). Regard the fifty years of age or older men. Data from the multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that factors as: having regular partner (OR = 0.588, P = 0.034), having homosexual anal intercourse (OR = 5.226, P = 0.006) were associated with positivities of HIV antibody., Conclusion: High-risk sexual behaviors, including homosexual anal intercourse were the major risk factors for men at ≥ 50 years or older age, related to the infection of HIV.

Using a randomized multistage cluster sampling, we studied the factors associated with the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension (defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) measurements ≥140 and 90 mm Hg, respectively, or current drug treatment for hypertension) in a representative sample of the urban Chinese population. The participants were 18-74 years of age and had lived for at least 5 years in an area comprising 33 communities in three cities (Shenyang, Anshan and Jinzhou) in China. A total of 28 830 people were selected; the overall response rate was 87.4% (25 196/28 830). The overall prevalence of hypertension was 28.7% (7237/25 196). Of those with hypertension, 42.9% (3107/7237) were aware of their condition, 28.2% (2042/7237) were receiving treatment and 3.7% (264/7237) were considered controlled. More than half (57.8%) of the hypertensives did not think that high BP would endanger their lives. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, education, occupation, income, body mass index, waist circumference and a family history of hypertension correlated significantly with the prevalence of hypertension. Among all the hypertensives, higher awareness (determined by odds ratios; 95% confidence intervals) was noted for persons who were white-collar workers (1.29; 1.08, 1.53, respectively), overweight (1.48; 1.30, 1.69), obese (3.37; 2.76, 4.11) or had a family history of hypertension (3.07; 2.76, 3.42). Among the individuals aware of their hypertension, treatment was more common in those with a higher level of education and less common among individuals consuming ≥2 alcoholic drinks per day (0.65; 0.52, 0.83). Controlled hypertension was much less common among older persons, and participants who were former smokers (0.49; 0.26, 0.91). The results indicate that more attention is needed to improve the awareness of the potentially fatal nature of hypertension in urban China.

Objective: To assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and their associated factors in an urban Chinese population., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities in northeast China from 2009 to 2010, using a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample. A total of 25 196 adults, aged 18-74 years, were examined in 33 communities. Hypertension was defined as a mean SBP of at least 140 mmHg, DBP at least 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications., Results: Overall, the prevalence of hypertension was 28.7% for urban residents, and 39.1% for middle-aged and elderly residents (aged ≥35 years). Among all the hypertensive patients examined in the study (n = 7237), 42.9% were aware of their condition, 28.2% were receiving treatment, and only 3.7% had their blood pressure adequately controlled. Female hypertensive patients had more effectively controlled blood pressure than their male counterparts. Among the study participants, 37.9% did not think that high blood pressure would endanger their lives. Among hypertensive patients aware of their conditions, the primary reason for not taking antihypertensive medication was a lack of money (34.8%). Age, sex, education, occupation, income, body mass, waist circumference, and family hypertension history significantly correlated with the prevalence of hypertension., Conclusion: Hypertension is highly prevalent in the urban population of China, and the effects of being overweight/obesity on hypertension were much larger than any other examined factors. The percentage of hypertensive patients aware of their condition, receiving proper treatment, and keeping their hypertension under control is unacceptably low.

To describe changes in activities of daily living (ADL) of community-dwelling Beijing elderly people, observed for 8 years, and to identify the demographic characteristics that predict the functional change. Four sets of interview data from 1992 to 2000 were used to evaluate changes among Beijing elderly aged 55 years and over. Results revealed that prevalence of disability increased from 3.9% to 7.1% during the 8 years of follow-up with the average increasing rate of disability was 0.41% per year. Meanwhile an increasing likelihood of recovery from disability is observed with age and time. Women, aged 75 or more, experienced higher disability than men though it was in the opposite for younger ages. In addition, certain demographic subgroups (such as women, unmarried, illiterate and living in non urban area) appeared to be at higher risk for ADL impaired. The patterns of ADL change is in both the direction of improvement and declination. Demographic variables emerged as a significant predictor in estimating functional outcomes. Furthermore, it is recommended that the demarcation factor for the evaluation of ADL should be 75 years of age.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a very important public health concern in many developing countries where epidemics of hepatitis E are common. Sporadic cases of clinical hepatitis E not only occur in these countries but also occur uncommonly in patients with no known epidemiological exposure to HEV in industrialized countries. The source of infection in industrialized countries is unknown but it has been suggested that animals might serve as a reservoir for HEV in both settings. We recently identified and characterized an HEV strain (swine HEV) that infects large numbers of pigs in the United States. To assess the potential of pigs to serve as a global reservoir of HEV, we measured the prevalence of HEV antibodies in pigs in two countries where hepatitis E is endemic and two countries where it is not. Swine herds in all four countries contained many pigs that were seropositive for IgG anti-HEV, although the percentage of seropositive pigs varied greatly from herd to herd. A very limited number of pig handlers in the two endemic countries were also tested and most of them were found to be seropositive for HEV. The results from this study suggest that hepatitis E is enzootic in pigs regardless of whether HEV is endemic in the respective human population. J. Med. Virol. 59:297-302, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.