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In recent decades, cases of autochthonous hepatitis E (HE) have sharply increased in European countries where foodborne transmission is considered the main route of HE virus (HEV) transmission. Although rabbits are considered the main reservoir of the zoonotic HEV-3ra subtype, information on the role of wild lagomorphs in the epidemiology of HEV remains scarce. The aim of this study therefore was to assess the circulation of HEV in European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis), the most important lagomorph species in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems. Liver samples from 372 wild rabbits and 78 Iberian hares were analysed using a broad-spectrum RT-PCR that detects HEV genotypes 1-8. None of the 450 lagomorphs tested were positive for HEV infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess HEV circulation in wild rabbits in Spain and the first to evaluate HEV infection in Iberian hares. Our results indicate absence of HEV circulation in wild rabbits and Iberian hares in southern Spain during the study period, which suggests that the risk of transmission of HEV from wild lagomorphs to other species, including humans, is low., (© 2020 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Pigs are considered important reservoirs of HEV and so constitute a major risk of transmission to humans, either via direct contact or by consuming raw or undercooked contaminated pork products. Once the scale of this disease on European pig farms has been estimated, the identification of risk factors associated with HEV infection in these species could help determine contingency strategies to minimize the risk of transmission to humans. Our objective was to evaluate risk factors associated with HEV in pigs under different production systems. We included 1040 pigs from 26 farms. The prevalence of HEV infection in the study population, evaluated by RT-qPCR, was calculated, then studied according to animal and farm characteristics. Factors associated with HEV infection were analyzed by multivariate analysis. One hundred and seventy-two pigs were infected by HEV, which gave an individual prevalence of 16.5% (95% CI: 14.4%-18.9%). Factors associated with higher prevalence of HEV infection were: extensive farming [23.9%; OR = 2.239 (1.036-4.837)], absence of sanitary ford [33.8%; OR = 3.597 (1.649-7.850)], no quarantine period [20.8%; OR = 2.723 (1.450-5.112)], and contact with domestic species [24.5%; OR = 3.893 (1.453-10.431)]. Our evidence showed that pigs reared on extensive farms are at a higher risk of HEV infection than those reared intensively. The use of control measures could reduce the risk of HEV infection in pigs and minimize the risk of zoonotic transmission., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

An HIV-infected patient was diagnosed with acute hepatitis E infection in our hospital. An epidemiological inquiry was performed to collect demographic, food and animal exposure variables in order to identify the potential route of transmission. The patient reported that his family traditionally hunted wild boar for food. All family members were analysed for hepatitis E virus infection. Additionally, route of transmission by wild boar meat consumption and prevalence of HEV infection among wild boar from the same hunting area were investigated. In all-family members (n = 8), HEV-RNA was amplified. Two wild boar meat slices consumed was analysed, showing the presence of HEV. The virus isolated was consistent with genotype 3, revealing 100% homology between family members and meat. Additionally, we tested nine wild boar hunted in the same hunting area. All of them were RNA-HEV positive, isolating the same HEV genotype 3 viral strain. We demonstrated by phylogenetic analysis zoonotic transmission of HEV by wild boar meat consumption. The prevalence of HEV infection among wild boar found in our study suggests that this species is an important route of transmission to human., (© 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)