title: Detection of Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies in Dogs in the United Kingdom.
abstract: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic pathogens, with pigs predominantly implicated in disease transmission. The rapid rise in human cases in developed countries over the past decade indicates a change in epidemiology of HEV, and it has been suggested that additional animal species may be involved in transmission of infection. Multiple studies have identified contact with dogs as a risk factor for HEV infection in industrialised nations, and a low seroprevalence to HEV has previously been reported in dogs in low-income countries. In this study we aimed to evaluate the possibility that dogs are susceptible to HEV, and determine the frequency with which this occurs. Serum samples from UK dogs with and without hepatitis were screened for HEV-specific antibodies, and canine liver and stool samples were analysed by qPCR for the presence of HEV RNA. We describe evidence to show HEV infection occurs at low levels in dogs in the UK, but the strain of origin is undetermined. The low seroprevalence level of HEV in dogs implies the risk of zoonotic disease transmission is likely to be limited, but further investigations will be required to determine if HEV-infected dogs can transmit HEV to man.
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Aoife
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McElroy
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rintaro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hiraide
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, School Lane, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bexfield
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, Public Health Laboratory Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jalal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brownlie
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Goodfellow
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, United Kingdom; Section of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1NY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Caddy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D004285:Dogs; D005838:Genotype; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000662:veterinary*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D029322:Norovirus / Q000276:immunology; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral