title: Characterization of hepatitis E virus infection in tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of hepatitis in developing countries and poses a threat to public health worldwide. Tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) is a useful animal model in studies on hepatitis viruses, such as hepatitis B and C viruses. However, the use of this animal model for HEV research is yet to be developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tree shrews were intravenously (IV) injected with swine genotype 4 HEV or infected by contact-exposure to IV infected tree shrews. RT-nPCR was performed to detect HEV RNA in the feces, tissues, and blood. HEV capsid protein in the different tissues was detected by Western blot and estimated by quantitative RT-PCR. Anti-HEV antibodies were determined by ELISA. Liver damages were evaluated by histopathologic examination and analysis of liver-specific enzymes activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both negative and positive strands of HEV RNA were detected in the feces of the HEV-infected or contact-exposed tree shrews 3-4 days post-inoculation. HEV RNA was detectable in the liver, spleen, kidneys, and bile. Virusemia developed in all the HEV-infected tree shrews. HEV capsid protein was expressed in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. The histological examination and analysis of liver-specific enzymes activities showed that HEV caused acute liver lesions in the tree shrews. Meanwhile, the infected tree shrews showed positive IgG and IgM antibodies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tree shrews are susceptible to HEV and may be useful animal models for HEV experimental infection studies on pathogenesis or preclinical drug development.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. wenhaiyu1234@163.com.|Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China. wenhaiyu1234@163.com.
authors.forename: Wenhai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. muyufeng@163.com.
authors.forename: Chenchen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. yanhongbi@163.com.
authors.forename: Yanhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. feiyanlong@163.com.
authors.forename: Feiyan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. yunlongli@163.com.
authors.forename: Yunlong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. juewang@163.com.
authors.forename: Jue
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China. huangfen6789@163.com.
authors.forename: Fen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000821:virology; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014417:Tupaia
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies