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Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology,...
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Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Prevention

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 January 2024) | Viewed by 9842

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jelena Prpić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: virology; HEV; negleceted and emerging viruses; zoonosis; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Magdalena Baymakova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: hepatitis E virus (HEV); vector-borne and zoonotic diseases; zoonoses and public health; one health; fever of unknown origin (FUO); medical parasitology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, the topic of zoonotic infections has become increasingly relevant and important. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic infection. The main reservoirs of HEV are wild boars and domestic pigs. In addition, this infection has been found in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and other species. In humans, HEV most commonly affects immunocompromised individuals (HIV-positive persons, oncology patients, transplanted persons etc.). It is also known from the scientific literature that the main transmission mechanisms of HEV are contaminated drinking water (in developing countries) and the consumption of poorly thermally processed pork meat and pork products (in developed countries).

Authors are invited to submit reviews, original articles, short communications, and case reports.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • HEV in humans—serological evidence and molecular analysis among immunocompromised individuals (HIV-positive persons, oncology patients, transplanted persons etc.)
  • HEV in humans—clinical characteristics, prevention and treatment among immunocompromised individuals (HIV-positive persons, oncology patients, transplanted persons etc.)
  • HEV in blood donors—seroprevalence and molecular analysis
  • HEV in general population—serological evidence and molecular analysis
  • HEV in wild boars—seroprevalence and molecular analysis
  • HEV in domestic pigs and industrial swine—serological evidence and molecular analysis
  • HEV in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and other species—serological evidence and molecular analysis
  • HEV in food and food products – molecular analysis

Dr. Jelena Prpić
Dr. Magdalena Baymakova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • seroprevalence
  • molecular analysis
  • clinical characteristics
  • prevention
  • treatment

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 215 KiB  
Editorial
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment, and Prevention
by Jelena Prpić and Magdalena Baymakova
Pathogens 2023, 12(7), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070931 - 12 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1509
Abstract
The public health significance of hepatitis E is very important [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Prevention)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

16 pages, 963 KiB  
Article
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Hemodialysis Patients from Southern Bulgaria
by Ani Kevorkyan, Elitsa Golkocheva-Markova, Ralitsa Raycheva, Vanya Rangelova, Radka Komitova, Mariya Atanasova, Valeri Tzekov, Tanya Kostadinova and Tsvetelina Chardakova
Pathogens 2023, 12(10), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12101208 - 30 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1186
Abstract
Viral hepatitis B and C are widely recognized problems in hemodialysis (HD) patients. There have been increasing reports of the importance of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in recent years, but the worldwide data on the seroprevalence of HEV among them are conflicting. [...] Read more.
Viral hepatitis B and C are widely recognized problems in hemodialysis (HD) patients. There have been increasing reports of the importance of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in recent years, but the worldwide data on the seroprevalence of HEV among them are conflicting. The aim of the present study was to assess the seroprevalence of HEV in HD patients and to analyze the predictors of seropositivity. This study was conducted in 2020 in the central part of southern Bulgaria. A total of 225 patients were enrolled. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of anti-HEV IgM/IgG was used. All patients were tested for the presence of HEV RNA. Anti-HEV IgM alone and anti-HEV IgG alone were found in 6 (2.7%) and 14 (6.2%) patients, respectively, and in 4 (1.8%) patients, they were found simultaneously. All patients were HEV RNA-negative. The overall HEV seroprevalence was 10.7% (24/225). The binominal logistic regression analysis of available predictors confirmed the role of vascular access and a duration of dialysis treatment over 5 years as predictors significantly associated with increased risk for HEV, and the consumption of bottled water with lower levels of HEV IgG seroprevalence among hemodialysis patients. The accumulated data are the basis for comparative analysis in subsequent trials in the same dialysis centers and for enhancing the range of screening markers used in this particular patient group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Prevention)
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21 pages, 737 KiB  
Article
Risk Factors for Hepatitis E Virus Infection and Eating Habits in Kidney Transplant Recipients
by Eva Wu, Nadine Koch, Friederike Bachmann, Marten Schulz, Evelyn Seelow, Ulrike Weber, Johannes Waiser, Fabian Halleck, Mirko Faber, Claus-Thomas Bock, Kai-Uwe Eckardt, Klemens Budde, Jörg Hofmann, Peter Nickel and Mira Choi
Pathogens 2023, 12(6), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12060850 - 20 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1449
Abstract
There is a significant risk for ongoing and treatment-resistant courses of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in patients after solid organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for the development of hepatitis E, including the dietary habits of [...] Read more.
There is a significant risk for ongoing and treatment-resistant courses of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in patients after solid organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for the development of hepatitis E, including the dietary habits of patients. We conducted a retrospective single-center study with 59 adult kidney and combined kidney transplant recipients who were diagnosed with HEV infection between 2013 and 2020. The outcomes of HEV infections were analyzed during a median follow-up of 4.3 years. Patients were compared with a control cohort of 251 transplant patients with elevated liver enzymes but without evidence of an HEV infection. Patients’ alimentary exposures during the time before disease onset or diagnosis were assessed. Previous intense immunosuppression, especially treatment with high-dose steroids and rituximab, was a significant risk factor to acquire hepatitis E after solid organ transplantation. Only 11 out of 59 (18.6%) patients reached remission without further ribavirin (RBV) treatment. A total of 48 patients were treated with RBV, of which 19 patients (39.6%) had either viral rebounds after the end of treatment or did not reach viral clearance at all. Higher age (>60 years) and a BMI ≤ 20 kg/m2 were risk factors for RBV treatment failure. Deterioration in kidney function with a drop in eGFR (p = 0.046) and a rise in proteinuria was more common in patients with persistent hepatitis E viremia. HEV infection was associated with the consumption of undercooked pork or pork products prior to infection. Patients also reported processing raw meat with bare hands at home more frequently than the controls. Overall, we showed that the intensity of immunosuppression, higher age, a low BMI and the consumption of undercooked pork meat correlated with the development of hepatitis E. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Prevention)
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11 pages, 619 KiB  
Article
First Report on Abnormal Renal Function in Acute Hepatitis E Genotype 1 Infection
by Amal A. Elkhawaga, Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar, Amal A. Mahmoud, Wael Esmat Ali, Doaa Safwat Mohamed, Ayat M. Kamel, Ahmed Atef Mesalam, Nermien H. S. Mousa, Ahmed M. Ashmawy, Essam M. Abdel Aziz, Ibrahim M. Sayed, Haidi Karam-Allah Ramadan and Yasmine Samy Elkholy
Pathogens 2023, 12(5), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12050687 - 08 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1470
Abstract
Impaired renal functions have been reported with Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections, especially with genotypes 3 and 4. These complications were reported during the acute and chronic phases of infection. HEV genotype 1 causes acute infection, and the effect of HEV-1 infections on [...] Read more.
Impaired renal functions have been reported with Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections, especially with genotypes 3 and 4. These complications were reported during the acute and chronic phases of infection. HEV genotype 1 causes acute infection, and the effect of HEV-1 infections on renal functions is not known. We examined the kidney function parameters in the serum of HEV-1 patients (AHE, n = 31) during the acute phase of infection. All of the included patients developed an acute self-limiting course of infection, without progression to fulminant hepatic failure. We compared the demographic, laboratory, and clinical data between AHE patients with normal kidney function parameters and those with abnormal renal parameters. Out of 31 AHE patients, 5 (16%) had abnormal kidney function tests (KFTs) during the acute phase of infection. Three patients had abnormal serum urea and creatinine, and two patients had either abnormal urea or creatinine. Four out of five patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. AHE patients with abnormal KFTs were older and had a lower level of albumin, but a slightly elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) compared to AHE patients with normal KFTs. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, liver transaminase levels, and the viral load. Similarly, the clinical presentations were comparable in both groups. Interestingly, these KFTs in patients with abnormal renal parameters returned to normal levels at the recovery. The serum creatinine level was not correlated with patients’ age or liver transaminase levels, but it was significantly negatively correlated with albumin level. In conclusion, this study is the first report that evaluated KFTs in patients during the acute phase of HEV-1 infections. Impaired KFTs in some AHE patients resolved at convalescence. KFTs and renal complications should be monitored during HEV-1 infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Prevention)
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10 pages, 488 KiB  
Article
Detection of HEV RNA Using One-Step Real-Time RT-PCR in Farrow-to-Finish Pig Farms in Bulgaria
by Gergana Lyubomirova Krumova-Valcheva, Ilaria Di Bartolo, Richard Piers Smith, Eva Gyurova, Gergana Mateva, Mihail Milanov, Albena Dimitrova, Elke Burow and Hristo Daskalov
Pathogens 2023, 12(5), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12050673 - 03 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1858
Abstract
(1) Background: HEV is a zoonotic, foodborne pathogen. It is spread worldwide and represents a public health risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HEV RNA in farrow-to-finish pig farms in different regions of Bulgaria; (2) Methods: Isolation [...] Read more.
(1) Background: HEV is a zoonotic, foodborne pathogen. It is spread worldwide and represents a public health risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HEV RNA in farrow-to-finish pig farms in different regions of Bulgaria; (2) Methods: Isolation of HEV RNA from pooled samples of feces was performed using a QIAamp® Viral RNA Mini Kit followed by HEV RNA detection using a single-step real-time RT-PCR with primers and probes targeting the ORF 3 HEV genome; (3) Results: HEV RNA was detected in 12 out of 32 tested farms in Bulgaria (37.5%). The overall percentage of HEV-positive pooled fecal samples was 10.8% (68 of 630 samples). HEV was detected mostly in pooled fecal samples from finisher pigs (66/320, 20.6%) and sporadically from dry sows (1/62, 1.6%) and gilts (1/248, 0.4%); (4) Conclusions: Our results confirm that HEV circulates in farrow-to-finish pig farms in Bulgaria. In our study, we found HEV RNA in pooled fecal samples from fattening pigs (4–6-months age), shortly before their transport to the slaughterhouse indicating a potential risk to public health. The possible circulation of HEV throughout pork production requires monitoring and containment measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Prevention)
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12 pages, 2592 KiB  
Article
Expression Profiles of Hepatic Immune Response Genes in HEV Infection
by Yasmin Badshah, Maria Shabbir, Khushbukhat Khan and Hashaam Akhtar
Pathogens 2023, 12(3), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12030392 - 01 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1203
Abstract
Hepatitis E is a liver inflammation caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Every year, there are an estimated 20 million HEV infections worldwide, leading to an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases of hepatitis E. HEV viral load has been studied [...] Read more.
Hepatitis E is a liver inflammation caused by infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Every year, there are an estimated 20 million HEV infections worldwide, leading to an estimated 3.3 million symptomatic cases of hepatitis E. HEV viral load has been studied about the disease progression; however, hepatic the host gene expression against HEV infection remains unknown. Methods: We identified the expression profiles of hepatic immune response genes in HEV infections. Fresh blood samples were collected from all the study subjects (130 patients and 124 controls) in 3ml EDTA vacutainers. HEV viral load was determined by a real-time PCR. The total RNA was isolated from the blood using the TRIZOL method. The expression of theCCL2, CCL5, CXCL10, CXCL16, TNF, IFNGR1, and SAMSN1 genes was studied in the blood of 130 HEV patients and 124 controls using a real-time PCR. Results: Gene expression profiles indicate high levels of CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10, CXCL16, TNF, IFNGR1, and SAMSN1 genes that might lead to the recruitment of leukocytes and infected cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated distinct differences in the expression profiles of host immune response-related genes of HEV infections and provided valuable insight into the potential impact of these genes on disease progression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Infection among Humans and Animals: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Prevention)
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