Uncovering neglected subtypes and zoonotic transmission of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Brazil.
Virol J
; 20(1): 83, 2023 05 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37131237
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) circulation in humans and swine has been extensively studied in South America over the last two decades. Nevertheless, only 2.1% of reported HEV strains are available as complete genome sequences. Therefore, many clinical, epidemiological, and evolutionary aspects of circulating HEV in the continent still need to be clarified. Here, we conducted a retrospective evolutionary analysis of one human case and six swine HEV strains previously reported in northeastern, southern, and southeastern Brazil. We obtained two complete and four nearly complete genomic sequences. Evolutionary analysis comparing the whole genomic and capsid gene sequences revealed high genetic variability. This included the circulation of at least one unrecognized unique South American subtype. Our results corroborate that sequencing the whole capsid gene could be used as an alternative for HEV subtype assignment in the absence of complete genomic sequences. Moreover, our results substantiate the evidence for zoonotic transmission by comparing a larger genomic fragment recovered from the sample of the autochthonous human hepatitis E case. Further studies should continuously investigate HEV genetic diversity and zoonotic transmission of HEV in South America.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Virus de la Hepatitis E
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Virol J
Asunto de la revista:
VIROLOGIA
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Brasil