Session:

Zoonoses & Infections in Animals

Abstract No.:

57.009

Title:

Serological evidence of Hepatitis E Virus in pigs in Bangladesh

Author(s):

N. Haider¹, M. A. Rahim², M. S. U. Khan¹, F. Ahmed¹, S. K. Paul¹, M. Z. Rahman¹, S. P. Luby³, A. B. Mikolon³; ¹International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh , Centre for Communicable Diseases (CCD), Dhaka/BD, ²National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine , Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dhaka/BD, ³Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA/US

Abstract:

Background: Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is the most common cause of viral hepatitis globally. Pigs may act as a reservoir of HEV and antibodies to HEV have been found in pigs in neighboring countries including India and Nepal. In Bangladesh, studies suggest that 30–60% of acute human viral hepatitis is due to HEV. To understand the pig’s role as a reservoir for HEV in Bangladesh, we conducted a serological survey to identify evidence of HEV infection among pig populations.
Methods: We collected blood samples from 100 pigs from three slaughterhouses in Gazipur district between January-June 2011. We interviewed the slaughterhouse owners and/or pig herder to record data on herd size, age, sex and breed of pigs. We tested the sera for HEV-specific IgG, IgM and IgA antibody through competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: Out of 100 swine sera, 82% (n=82) had detectable antibody against HEV [95% confidence interval (CI): 74.3-89.6]. These pigs were raised in herds in six districts of Bangladesh and the numbers of pigs having HEV antibody varied among the districts: Gazipur (93%, n=13); Barisal (88%, n=29); Jessore (84%, n=21); Rajshahi (82%; n=9); Mymensingh (60%, n=3) and Pabna (58%, n=7).  Compared to the pigs that lacked HEV antibody, pigs with HEV antibody were older [21.5 months vs. 9.6 months, p<0.001], were more likely to be raised in larger herds (mean herd size: 194 pigs vs. 125 pigs, p=0.008), were more frequently male (60%, vs. 22% p=0.004), and were more frequently indigenous breed (89% vs. 39%, p<0.001).
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the virus causing HEV disease in pigs is circulating in Bangladesh. We recommend identifying the genotypes of HEV in pigs to determine their role as a possible reservoir for zoonotic transmission to humans in Bangladesh.