Detection of Hepatitis E Infections Among Domestic Swine in the Kathmandu Valleyof Nepal

摘要

The prevalence of hepatitis E virus ($EV) infections among 55 domestic swinellving in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal was investigated Sera and stool specimen were collected from 47 free-roaming swine and examined for the presence of HEV genomic silences by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction Sera from these animals as well as sera from 8 other swine were also examined for the presence of Hev-speciflc antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by a fluorescent antibody blocking assay Hepatitis E virus RNA was detected in the sera and/or stool of three of 47 swine, while Hev-specific antibodies were detected in 18 of 55 swine. These results indicate that HEV is a zoonotic virus, and that swine are among its natural hosts.