Metabolic Markers Associated with Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Induced by High-Fat Diet and Single Low Dose Streptozotocin in Rats.

Science is still searching for readily available, cost-effective biomarkers to assess metabolic disorders occurring before the onset and during the development of type-2 diabetes (T2DM). The aim of the present study was to induce T2DM in rats through a high-fat diet, followed by a single administration of low dose streptozotocin (STZ), and make an assessment of the development of the disease. The rats were divided into two groups-experimental and control-and were monitored for a period of 10 days. Changes in anthropometric parameters, glucose, insulin, lipids, uric acid, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), as well as the histological changes in the liver and pancreas, were recorded. To assess insulin resistance, we used the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-ß) and visceral obesity-adiposity index (AI). The data demonstrate that the increasing values of glucose, HOMA-IR, AI, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, low- and very-low-density lipoproteins are important markers of the pre-diabetic state. The stable hyperglycemia and increased levels of TC, TG, VLDL, LDL, uric acid and AOPP in experimental rats strongly suggest the development of T2DM. HOMA-IR, HOMA-ß, AI, and uric acid are reliable criteria for T2DM in rats.

First Insight into the Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Dogs, Cats, Horses, Cattle, Sheep, and Goats from Bulgaria.

In recent years, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has been found to be widespread among different animal species worldwide. In Bulgaria, high HEV seropositivity was found among pigs (60.3%), wild boars (40.8%), and East Balkan swine (82.5%). The aim of the present study was to establish the seroprevalence of HEV among dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats in Bulgaria. In total, 720 serum samples from six animal species were randomly collected: dogs-90 samples; cats-90; horses-180; cattle-180; sheep-90; and goats-90. The serum samples were collected from seven districts of the country: Burgas, Kardzhali, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Sliven, Smolyan, and Stara Zagora. The animal serum samples were tested for HEV antibodies using the commercial Wantai HEV-Ab ELISA kit (Beijing, China). The overall HEV seroprevalence among different animal species from Bulgaria was as follows: dogs-21.1%; cats-17.7%; horses-8.3%; cattle-7.7%; sheep-32.2%; and goats-24.4%. We found the lowest overall HEV seropositivity in Plovdiv district (6.2%; 4/64; p = 0.203) and Smolyan district (8.8%; 4/45; p = 0.129), vs. the highest in Pazardzhik district (21.6%; 29/134; p = 0.024) and Burgas district (28.8%; 26/90; p = 0.062). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first serological evidence of HEV infection in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats from Bulgaria. We found high HEV seropositivity in small ruminants (sheep and goats), moderate seropositivity in pets (dogs and cats), and a low level of seropositivity in large animals (horses and cattle). Previous Bulgarian studies and the results of this research show that HEV infection is widespread among animals in our country. In this regard, the Bulgarian health authorities must carry out increased surveillance and control of HEV infection among animals in Bulgaria.

Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in pigs from Northern Bulgaria.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate pigs in Northern Bulgaria for serological evidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV). Sera from 225 individuals from three industrial farms were tested for anti­HEV IgG antibodies. The overall HEV seroprevalence was 36% (81/225); weaners 6.8% (5/74); fattening pigs 38.7% (29/75) and in sows 61.8% (47/76). Compared to weaners, HEV positivity was higher in fattening pigs and sows: OR = 8.70 (95% CI: 3.14­24.12) and OR = 22.37 (95% CI: 8.07­61.96), respectively. These data confirm that HEV is endemic in pigs throughout Bulgaria, and can be a Public Health problem due to the transmission of HЕV to humans through the consumption of pork meat and pork products.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection Among Wild Boars in Western Bulgaria.

Scientific evidence indicates that hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a zoonotic disease. Domestic pigs and wild boars are the main animal reservoir for HEV worldwide. The aim of this study was to analyze the seroprevalence of HEV infection among wild boars in western Bulgaria. Serum samples from 240 wild boars from two regions of the country (northwestern and southwestern) were tested for anti-HEV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. The overall HEV seroprevalence was 40.8% (98/240); northwestern region 40.0% (48/120); southwestern region 41.7% (50/120). HEV seropositivity in the southwestern region was higher than in the northwestern region: odds ratio = 1.071 (95% confidence interval: 0.640-1.793). This research provided the first seroprevalence study to HEV in wild boars from western Bulgaria.

High Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection Among East Balkan Swine (Sus scrofa) in Bulgaria: Preliminary Results.

The East Balkan swine (Sus scrofa) is the only aboriginal pig breed in Bulgaria, and it is indigenous to the eastern part of the country. The aim of the present study was to investigate East Balkan swine (EBS) in Bulgaria for serological evidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV). Sera from 171 swine from two parts of the country (northeastern and southeastern) were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. The overall HEV seroprevalence was 82.5% (141/171), and for weaners it was 77.2% (44/57), for fattening pigs 79.0% (45/57), and for adults 91.2% (52/57). HEV positivity was higher in fattening pigs and adults compared to weaners: OR = 1.108 (95% CI: 0.456-2.692) and OR = 3.073 (95% CI: 1.016-9.294), respectively. This study provides the first evidence of exposure to HEV in EBS from Bulgaria.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Pigs from Southern Bulgaria.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been isolated from humans and several animals' species. During the last years, the knowledge of HEV infection dramatically changed and enriched. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HEV in industrial pigs in different districts of Southern Bulgaria. Three hundred sixty swine serum samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. The samples were collected from four industrial farms from three districts of Southern Bulgaria. HEV-specific antibodies in porcine serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PrioCHECK HEV Ab porcine). The overall HEV seroprevalence was 60.3%. The seropositivity varied widely depending on age groups and investigated farms. The overall prevalence in weaners was 25%, in fattening pigs 75.8%, and in group of sows was found the highest HEV positivity of 80%. The occurrence of HEV positivity in sows and fattening pigs presented odds ratio (OR) = 17.200 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.8-33.7) and OR = 11.342 (95% CI: 6.1-21.0), respectively, compared to weaners. The study indicated that HEV is widespread in industrial farms in Bulgaria and presented high seroprevalence in pigs. The results found that HEV seropositivity showed age dependency. The National Health Authorities should raise awareness of HEV and its zoonotic potential.