Zoonotic Agents

Hepatitis E Virus Investigation on Farrowing and Nursery Pigs From a Farm Free of In-Feed Antimicrobials: A Case Report

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Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic agent associated with acute and possibly fatal hepatitis in humans, especially in immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women. There are eight different HEV genotypes out of which genotypes 3, 4 and 7 are zoonotic [3]. In pigs, HEV infection is subclinical and can be detected in blood, liver and feces [5]. Infection in humans might occur through consumption of pork-derived products or by the ingestion of food and water contaminated with swine waste. Occupational risk is a concern since farmworkers are directly exposed to the infection source. In a previous study we detected anti-HEV antibodies by ELISA in slaughtered pigs [2]. The pigs examined were from a family-raised pig farm and without the use of antimicrobials in the feed at Embrapa Swine and Poultry (UD-Concordia). Testing UD-Concordia, antibodies were detected on sows and finishers (90.3% and 91%, respectively) [2]. Concerning a persistence of HEV in that herd, the objectives of this study were to understand the dynamics of the infection and to identify the possible source of HEV.

How to Cite:

Zanella, J. C., Kich, J. D., Mignoni, D. S., Zanella, G. C., Miotto, R., Rebelatto, R., Bordin, L. C. & Kreutz, L. C., (2023) “Hepatitis E Virus Investigation on Farrowing and Nursery Pigs From a Farm Free of In-Feed Antimicrobials: A Case Report”, SafePork 14(1).