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Novel subtypes and unexpected heterogeneity of hepatitis E viral strains in wild boar captured in a small area in Central Italy
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  • Luca De Sabato,
  • Elisabetta Suffredini,
  • Simona Di Pasquale,
  • Giuseppina La Rosa,
  • Paola De Santis,
  • Monica Giammarioli,
  • Gabriele Vaccari,
  • Ilaria Di Bartolo
Luca De Sabato
Instituto Superiore di Sanita Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare Nutrizione e Sanita Pubblica Veterinaria

Corresponding Author:luca.desabato@iss.it

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Elisabetta Suffredini
Instituto Superiore di Sanita Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare Nutrizione e Sanita Pubblica Veterinaria
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Simona Di Pasquale
Instituto Superiore di Sanita Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare Nutrizione e Sanita Pubblica Veterinaria
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Giuseppina La Rosa
Istituto Superiore di Sanita Dipartimento Ambiente e Salute
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Paola De Santis
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana
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Monica Giammarioli
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche
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Gabriele Vaccari
Instituto Superiore di Sanita Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare Nutrizione e Sanita Pubblica Veterinaria
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Ilaria Di Bartolo
Instituto Superiore di Sanita Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare Nutrizione e Sanita Pubblica Veterinaria
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Abstract

Wild boar is the main sylvatic reservoir of the genotype 3 of hepatitis E virus (HEV). The occurrence of HEV-3 human cases has been linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked pig and wild boar meat and liver. The zoonotic transmission of HEV-3 has been confirmed by sequencing identical or strictly related viral strains in humans, wild boar, and derived food. The HEV sequences classified within the HEV-3 genotype are highly variable, and although only one serotype has been identified so far, the observed differences allow for the further classification of the HEV-3 genotype into subtypes, named in alphabetical order. Compared to human and pig strains, an even higher heterogeneity is observed among strains infecting wild boar. In the present study, the genetic variability of eight HEV-3 strains detected in wild boars living in a small geographical area in central Italy (Lazio and Umbria regions) was investigated by full genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The strains were classified within the HEV-3a, HEV-3c, HEV-3f subtypes and within two new recently proposed subtypes. Results demonstrate – despite the relatively small geographic area of origin – an unexpected divergence within HEV-3 strains hosted by the investigated wild boar population and highlights the need for extensive sequencing of HEV in reservoirs to fully understand diversity, geographical distribution and evolution of this group of viruses.
29 Mar 2022Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
29 Mar 2022Submission Checks Completed
29 Mar 2022Assigned to Editor
31 Mar 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 Apr 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Apr 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
20 Apr 20221st Revision Received
20 Apr 2022Submission Checks Completed
20 Apr 2022Assigned to Editor
25 Apr 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 May 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Sep 2022Published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases volume 69 issue 5. 10.1111/tbed.14598