First environment hepatitis E virus detection supported by serological evidence in Salta

PISANO MB, ; POMA HR,; RASKOVSKY V,; MARTINEZ WASSAF MG,; DELGADO A,; RAJAL V, ; RÉ VE

Salta

Simposio; III SIMPOSIO LATINOAMERICANO DE VIROLOGIA AMBIENTAL. SALTA, ARGENTINA.; 2016

Universidad Salta

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent causative agent of acute hepatitis worldwide, transmitted by fecal-oral route. In Argentina few sporadic cases have been reported; one of them, an acute fulminant hepatitis case in a boy of Salta province in 2004. The aim of this study was to detect circulation of HEV in Salta, carrying out molecular detection by RT-Nested PCR in samples from Arias-Arenales River (monthly collected between February 2009 and February 2010 at 11 points), and by serological survey in healthy adults (69 samples, 2015-2016), performing Elisa assays for specific IgG and IgM detection (Diapro). HEV was detected in 2 riverine samples (1.7%), collected in June (JunP8) and August (AgoP7) in 2 stormwater sources flowing into the river. Sample AgoP3 could be sequenced; phylogenetic analysis showed grouping within HEV gt3c clade. Serological results showed a HEV IgG prevalence of 7.2%; two samples resulted positive for HEV IgM (HEV IgG negative). This is the first environmental detection of HEV in Salta, showing the Arias-Arenales River as a potential viral source for human infection. Serological results confirm its circulation in this province and alert the local health system