María B Pisano1,2, Belén C Lugo1, Ramiro Poma3, Héctor A Cristóbal3, Viviana Raskovsky4, Maribel G Martínez Wassaf2,5, Verónica B Rajal3,6, Viviana E Ré1,2. 1. Instituto de Virología 'Dr. J. M. Vanella', Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, CONICET, Enfermera Gordillo Gómez s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, X5016, Córdoba, Argentina. 2. Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Av. Armada Argentina 3555, X5016DHK, Córdoba, Argentina. 3. Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Química (INIQUI)-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Av. Bolivia 5150, CP: 4400, Salta, Argentina. 4. Hospital Señor del Milagro, Av. Sarmiento 557, CP: 4400, Salta, Argentina. 5. Laboratorio de Virología y biología molecular, LACE, Av. Vélez Sársfield 528, X5000JJS, Córdoba, Argentina. 6. Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Av. Bernardo Houssay 1099, CP: 4400, Salta, Argentina.
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. Water contamination is a possible source of viral infection. In South America, particularly in Argentina, little is known about environmental HEV circulation, including recreational water. The aim of this work was to provide evidence of current environmental and human circulation of HEV in northern Argentina. Methods: Molecular detection of HEV in water samples from the Arias-Arenales River in the city of Salta by nested polymerase chain reaction (ORF2 region) and anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM detection in the general population by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out. Results: HEV RNA was detected in 1.6% (3/189) of the environmental samples. All sequences belonged to HEV genotype 3 and were very similar to those previously detected in the country. The prevalence of IgG anti-HEV was 9% (13/143) and three samples were positive for specific IgM. Conclusions: Circulation of HEV in the northwest of Argentina was demonstrated for the first time, showing viral presence in environmental samples and infections in people who attended health care centres for routine control. These findings show that recreational waters are a possible source of virus and highlight the need to carry out HEV detection when a case of hepatitis occurs.
Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. Water contamination is a possible source of viral infection. In South America, particularly in Argentina, little is known about environmentalHEV circulation, including recreational water. The aim of this work was to provide evidence of current environmental and human circulation of HEV in northern Argentina. Methods: Molecular detection of HEV in water samples from the Arias-Arenales River in the city of Salta by nested polymerase chain reaction (ORF2 region) and anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM detection in the general population by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out. Results:HEV RNA was detected in 1.6% (3/189) of the environmental samples. All sequences belonged to HEV genotype 3 and were very similar to those previously detected in the country. The prevalence of IgG anti-HEV was 9% (13/143) and three samples were positive for specific IgM. Conclusions: Circulation of HEV in the northwest of Argentina was demonstrated for the first time, showing viral presence in environmental samples and infections in people who attended health care centres for routine control. These findings show that recreational waters are a possible source of virus and highlight the need to carry out HEV detection when a case of hepatitis occurs.
Authors: G R Takuissu; S Kenmoe; L Ndip; J T Ebogo-Belobo; C Kengne-Ndé; D S Mbaga; A Bowo-Ngandji; M G Oyono; R Kenfack-Momo; S Tchatchouang; J Kenfack-Zanguim; R Lontuo Fogang; E Zeuko'o Menkem; G I Kame-Ngasse; J N Magoudjou-Pekam; S Nkie Esemu; C Veneri; P Mancini; G Bonanno Ferraro; M Iaconelli; E Suffredini; G La Rosa Journal: Food Environ Virol Date: 2022-08-29 Impact factor: 4.034
Authors: Alicia Sotomayor-González; María E Trujillo-Ortega; Blanca I Taboada-Ramírez; Carlos Sandoval-Jaime; Rosa E Sarmiento-Silva Journal: Viruses Date: 2018-07-26 Impact factor: 5.048