A Survey of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis E Virus at the Human-Wildlife Interface in the Peruvian Amazon
Menajovsky, María Fernanda (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals)
Espunyes, Johan (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal)
Ulloa, Gabriela M. (Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia)
Montero, Stephanie (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Emergentes y Cambio Climático)
Lescano, Andres G. (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Emergentes y Cambio Climático)
Santolalla, Meddly L. (Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Emergentes y Cambio Climático)
Cabezón Ponsoda, Óscar (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals)
Mayor Aparicio, Pedro Ginés (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals)

Date:	2024
Abstract:	Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are zoonotic pathogens posing significant health concerns in rural Amazonia, a region marked by high endemicity, poverty, and limited healthcare access. However, the epidemiology of HBV and HEV in this ecosystem remains underexplored. This study examines the circulation of HBV and HEV at the human-wildlife interface and identifies risk factors within an isolated Amazonian indigenous community reliant on hunting for subsistence. Antibodies against HBV core antigens (HBcAbs) were found in three wildlife species: Cuniculus paca (0. 8%), Tayassu pecari (1. 6%), and Mazama americana (4. 1%), marking the first record of HBV antibodies in free-ranging wildlife in the Amazon. However, further research is necessary to identify circulating strains and their relation to human HBV. HBcAbs were also detected in 9. 1% of human samples, confirming exposure to HBV in the region. HEV IgG antibodies were present in 17. 1% of humans and were associated with higher age. All wildlife and domestic animal samples tested negative for HEV, but transmission through consumption of wild animals and contaminated water needs further investigation. The identified risk factors highlight the urgent need for measures to promote safer food handling, improved sanitation, hygiene, and practices related to contact with wild animals.
Grants:	Instituto de Salud Carlos III AC18/00054 Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca FI-SDUREMC/3345/2020
Note:	Altres ajuts: Fundació Autònoma Solidària FS-XXXVI-FS1. FONDECYT 136-2018
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Epidemiology ; Hepatitis ; HEV ; HBV ; Risk factors ; One health ; Tropical forests
Published in:	Microorganisms, Vol. 12 (september 2024) , ISSN 2076-2607

DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12091868
PMID: 39338542

12 p, 708.9 KB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA-IRTA)
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Research group Wildlife Ecology & Health
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles