Molecular detection of hepatitis E virus in wild boars from Botoșani County

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections occur in both humans and animals worldwide. The domestic swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa) are known as important reservoirs of HEV, zoonotic hepatitis E infections of foodborne origin being linked to consumption of pig, wild boar and deer raw or undercooked meat or undercooked products. The aim of the study was to highlight the presence of HEV in wild boars using molecular biology methods. During hunting season 2015-2016 were collected blood and faecal samples from 22 wild boars from Suharău hunting fund in Botoșani County. Using degenerate primers, HEV RNA was detected by nested reverse transcriptase PCR in all wild boar faecal samples. The blood (EDTA whole blood) samples tested were negative for hepatitis E virus RNA. Our results indicate that wild boars are a possible source of infection for pigs and human population in Botoșani County.