Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence and risk factors for individuals in working contact with animals.

BACKGROUND: In industrial countries genotypes 3 and 4 of HEV are detected in swine, wild boar, deer and rabbits, and they are associated with autochthonous infections suggesting the existence of zoonotic HEV infections, compatible with the putative involvement of undercooked pork and big game products as a source of infection. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies in different population groups in contact with animals and to investigate risk factors for HEV infection. STUDY DESIGN: Serum samples were collected from 859 healthy French subjects, including pig farm workers, forestry workers and individuals without working contact with animals (control group). In addition, 58 swine veterinarians were included in the study. Subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and anti-HEV antibodies were investigated using a sensitive and specific sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Anti-Hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies were detected in 26% of control population, and in 36% and 44% of forestry and pig farm workers, respectively. In addition, an increase in seroprevalence from the north to the south of France was observed (30.2% versus 40.7%). Consumption of pork liver sausage (AOR 4.4, p < 10(-4)), occupational contact with animals (AOR 1.58, p = 0.038 for forestry workers and AOR 2.51, p < 10(-4) for pig farm workers), and living in southern France (AOR 1.47, p = 0.02), were independent risk factors. Wearing working gloves and boots might reduce HEV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to animals and consuming raw or undercooked pork liver sausage or pork liver play a significant role in HEV transmission in industrial countries.

Age-specific seroprevalences of merkel cell polyomavirus, human polyomaviruses 6, 7, and 9, and trichodysplasia spinulosa-associated polyomavirus.

Six new human polyomaviruses have been identified since 2008 (Merkel cell polyomavirus [MCPyV], human polyomavirus 6 [HPyV6], HPyV7, HPyV9, trichodysplasia spinulosa polyomavirus [TSPyV], and Malawi polyomavirus [MWPyV]). The presence of specific antibodies against MCPyV, HPyV6, HPyV7, HPyV9, and TSPyV in 828 Italian subjects aged 1 to 100 years was investigated by virus-like particle-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The findings indicate that all of these new polyomaviruses circulate widely in humans, with seroprevalences in adulthood ranging from 39.4% for HPyV9 to 87.1% for MCPyV, and that primary exposure is most intense in childhood, with the exception of HPyV7 and HPyV9, for which the seroprevalence increased throughout life. The proportion of subjects with high antibody titers was found to increase with age for MCPyV and to decrease with age for TSPyV.

High hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in forestry workers and in wild boars in France.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a fecally and orally transmitted human pathogen of worldwide distribution. In industrial countries, HEV is observed in an increasing number of autochthonous cases and is considered to be an emerging pathogen. A growing body of evidence suggests that HEV is a zoonotic disease, and pig handlers and pig veterinarians have been reported to be high-risk groups for HEV infection. The aims of the present study were to establish the prevalence of anti-HEV in wild boars in France and to identify whether forestry workers are at a higher risk of HEV infection. Three different anti-HEV tests were used to compare their effectiveness in detecting anti-HEV in the general population. The most sensitive test was then used to investigate HEV seroprevalence in 593 forestry workers and 421 wild boars. Anti-HEV was detected in 31% of the forestry workers and 14% of the wild boars. Detection of anti-HEV in humans was correlated with age, geographical location, and occupational activity and in wild boars was correlated with geographical location. HEV infection is frequent in woodcutters in France, and it varies geographically. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the transmission route and the exact virus reservoirs.