Detección molecular del virus de la hepatitis E en hígados de cerdo destinados al consumo humano en el estado de Nuevo León, México

Objective. Molecular detection of HEV in pig livers destined for human consumption in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Materials and methods. 87 livers were collected from pigs slaughtered in TIF and 40 livers from butchers. A 212 pb fragment of HEV ORF2 gene was amplified by semi-nested RT-PCR. Results. 19.54% (17) of tif's and 22.5% (9) of buthcer's livers were positive for HEV. Sequencing of the amplified products showed a 94%-95% homology with the sequences reported for genotype 3. Conclusions. Our results indicate that HEV is circulating in swine herds in the state, constituting a probable source of contamination of pig meat products.