Infectivity of hepatitis E virus in SPF rabbit urine
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-5101.2018.07.002
- VernacularTitle: SPF家兔尿液中戊型肝炎病毒传染性的研究
- Author:
Chenyan ZHAO
1
;
Jian MA
;
Jiajing WU
;
Weijin HUANG
Author Information
1. Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 102629, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
SPF rabbit;
Hepatitis E virus;
Urine;
Real-time RT-PCR;
HEV antigen
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology
2018;38(7):488-493
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the presence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA and HEV antigen (HEV-Ag) and to evaluate the infectivity of HEV in urine through a SPF rabbit model of HEV infection.
Methods:Serum, fecal and urine samples collected from SPF rabbits with HEV infection were tested for viral and biochemical markers using real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. Liver and kidney biopsies were performed for observing histopathological changes and immunohistochemical staining. Rabbits were challenged with HEV isolated in urine samples to evaluate the infectivity.
Results:Rabbit R1# that was injected with rabbit HEV presented viremia, fecal shedding of HEV, high serum level of HEV-Ag, elevated aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) and typical symptoms of hepatitis. Urine samples of rabbit R1# continued to be positive for HEV RNA and HEV-Ag. Ratios of HEV-Ag to RNA in urine samples of rabbit R1# were significantly higher than those in serum and feces samples. The parameters quantified in routine urinalysis remained within the normal ranges in rabbit R1#. However, pathological changes and the presence of HEV-Ag were observed in kidney tissues. Furthermore, serum and fecal samples that were collected from one of the two rabbits injected with rabbit R1# urine-derived HEV were HEV positive and the virus strains isolated form feces remained infective to rabbits.
Conclusion:HEV infection may result in kidney injury and the urine may pose a risk of transmission. HEV-Ag detection in urine may be valuable for the diagnosis of ongoing HEV infection.
