46. Diseases of farm animals caused by hepatitis E virus.

Question 1

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Virus Family & Genus

Answer 1

• Family: Hepeviridae
• Genus: Orthohepevirus

Question 2

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C - Occurance

Answer 2

ZOONOTIC DISEASE

• Ho.; Sus.; Deer
• Seen worldwide

Question 3

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: Summary

Answer 3

• Non-enveloped; ssRNA; Frequent mutations
• Resistance: Good; Sensitive to cooling
• Stenoxen; Good antigenicity

Question 4

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: Epidemiology

Answer 4

• Human-Human infection: Contaminated water
• Animal-Animal infection: Faecal infection
• Animal-Human infection:
  
  • Direct infection
  • Product infection
  • Food contamination
  • Infected animal excreta

Question 5

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: Pathogenesis

Answer 5

PO infection → Replicate in Liver → Viraemia

• Shedding with faeces (extrahepatic replication)

Question 6

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: CSx (Animals)

Answer 6

• Swine: Ø CSx
• Rabbits: Infertility; Miscarriage; Maternal Death

Question 7

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: CSx & Tx (Human)

Answer 7

• Acute: Subclinical/mild (can be fatal)
• Chronic: Extrahepatic symptoms (CNS)
• Immunocompromised/pregnant:
  
  • >20% lethality
  • Abortion & mother die

Usually acute & self-limiting infection; Tx - Supportive care

Question 8

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: Pathology

Answer 8

Ø Pathological lesions

Question 9

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: Tx

Answer 9

Ø Treatment

Question 10

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: Dx

Answer 10

• Direct virus detection: PCR
• Indirect virus detection: ELISA; Western blot

Question 11

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus A & C: Prevention

Answer 11

• Animal/stable hygiene (Faeces)
• Natural infection - Recovery & seroconversion/maternal immunity
• Personal & kitchen hygiene
• Avoiding raw pork products
• Vaccine: Clinical trials for humans

Question 12

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus B: Affected species

Answer 12

Chickens (layers) > 24 Weeks of age

Question 13

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus B: Pathogenesis & Source of infection

Answer 13

PO Infection → Primary replication in gut mucosa/lymphoid tissue → Viraemia → Liver & Spleen

Source of infection: Faecal contamination of drinking water

Question 14

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus B: CSx

Answer 14

• Chronic underproduction/egg drop of up to 20%
• Anaemia
• Premature moulting
• Mortalilty

Question 15

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus B: Pathology

Answer 15

• Hepatomegaly (sometimes with subcapsular haemorrhage)
• Splenomegaly

Question 16

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus B: Dx

Answer 16

• Direct: RT-PCR; qRT-PCR
• Indirect: AGID; ELISA

Question 17

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus B: Tx

Answer 17

Ø Treatment available - Supportive therapy

Question 18

Hepatitis E Virus in Farm Animals: Orthohepevirus B: Prevention

Answer 18

• Hygiene (drinking water)
• Epidemiological measures:
  
  • All-in-all-out
  • Cleaning
  • Disinfection
  • Closed population