Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the presence of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA and antibodies in postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome-affected (n = 114) and non-affected (n = 46) pigs and the possible association with hepatitis lesions. Forty-four pigs were RT-PCR positive (28.2%); 25 of them were PMWS cases, while 19 were non-PMWS pigs. In both groups, HEV RT-PCR results were associated with hepatitis (OR = 5.61 for PMWS-affected pigs and OR = 5.17 for non-PMWS affected pigs; p = 0.01). No interaction was detected in a logistic regression between PMWS occurrence and HEV infection for the development of hepatitis lesions. Seropositivity to HEV was more likely to occur in pigs with hepatitis (51.9%) compared to pigs without hepatitis (36.1%; p = 0.03). Significant differences in optical densities were notices comparing the lesional stage of pigs (p = 0.009). While pigs with slight or moderate hepatitis were seropositive, pigs with more severe lesions were seronegative to HEV. These results indicate that swine HEV infection can be a significant contributor to the development of moderate hepatitis in pigs regardless of the PMWS status. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 16-24 |
Journal | Veterinary Microbiology |
Volume | 122 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 16 May 2007 |
Keywords
- HEV
- Hepatitis E
- Porcine circovirus type 2
- Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome
- Swine