Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

First Report of Hepatitis E Virus Circulation in Domestic Pigs in Nigeria

  • Olajide A Owolodun
  • , Priscilla Freitas Gerber
  • , Luis G Gimenez-Lirola
  • , Jacob K P Kwaga
  • , Tanja Opriessnig

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important cause of acute hepatitis in humans. Zoonotic transmission between pigs and humans has been confirmed. Human HEV infection is common in Nigeria; however, characterization of HEV infection in other species was lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate HEV infection in Nigerian pigs. A total of 286 serum samples from six states in Nigeria were tested for presence of anti-HEV IgG. Ninety fecal samples from one of these states (Plateau State) were tested for presence of HEV RNA. The overall prevalence of anti-HEV IgG-positive or suspect-positive pigs was 55.6% (159 of 286) with regional prevalence rates ranging from 36% (9 of 25; Delta State) to 88% (22 of 25; Taraba State). The overall HEV RNA prevalence rate was 76.7% (69 of 90). All polymerase chain reaction-positive samples belonged to HEV genotype 3 based on sequencing. The results indicate that HEV genotype 3 infection is widespread in Nigerian pigs.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)699-704
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume91
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Veterinary Diagnosis and Diagnostics
  • Veterinary Epidemiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'First Report of Hepatitis E Virus Circulation in Domestic Pigs in Nigeria'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this