Detection of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Feces of Capybaras (Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris) in Brazil

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Cunha, Lia ; Luchs, Adriana ; Azevedo, Lais S. S. ; Silva, Vanessa C. M. ; Lemos, Marcilio F. F. ; Costa, Antonio C. C. ; Compri, Adriana P. P. ; Franca, Yasmin ; Viana, Ellen ; Malta, Fernanda ; Medeiros, Roberta S. S. ; Guiducci, Raquel ; Morillo, Simone G. G. ; Gomes-Gouvea, Michele S. S. ; Amgarten, Deyvid ; Pinho, Joao R. R. ; Moreira, Regina C. C.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Viruses-Basel; v. 15, n. 2, p. 13-pg., 2023-02-01.

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen associated with relevant public health issues. The aim of this study was to investigate HEV presence in free-living capybaras inhabiting urban parks in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Molecular characterization of HEV positive samples was undertaken to elucidate the genetic diversity of the virus in these animals. A total of 337 fecal samples were screened for HEV using RT-qPCR and further confirmed by conventional nested RT-PCR. HEV genotype and subtype were determined using Sanger and next-generation sequencing. HEV was detected in one specimen (0.3%) and assigned as HEV-3f. The IAL-HEV_921 HEV-3f strain showed a close relationship to European swine, wild boar and human strains (90.7-93.2% nt), suggesting an interspecies transmission. Molecular epidemiology of HEV is poorly investigated in Brazil; subtype 3f has been reported in swine. This is the first report of HEV detected in capybara stool samples worldwide. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/02469-0 - Full genotype constellation of five rare G12P[9] rotavirus strains detected in Brazil during 2011-2013
• Grantee: Yasmin França Viana Pires de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 15/12944-9 - Investigating the evoltution of animal rotavirus strains infecting humans
• Grantee: Adriana Luchs
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/14786-0 - Surveillance and molecular epidemiology of human Bocaviruses associated with acute gastroenteritis
• Grantee: Adriana Luchs
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/11182-6 - Molecular epidemiology of G8 rotavirus strains isolated in Brazil associated with P[4], P[6] or P[8] genotypes
• Grantee: Roberta Salzone Medeiros
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation