Key result
Multiplex serological screening of 960 wild boar sera in Saxony revealed seropositivity rates of 24.3% for HEV, 33.8% for TBEV, and 8.4% for WNV.
Why the study?
Targeted wildlife surveillance enables early detection of emerging infections, prompting the development of an efficient multi-pathogen serological screening system for wild boar surveillance against HEV, WNV, and TBEV.
Cross-Sectional (n=960)
Yes
A multiplex serological assay demonstrates that wild boar in Saxony are exposed to HEV, WNV, and TBEV, serving as a useful sentinel species for zoonotic surveillance.
Wild boar exposure signals potential zoonotic risk in Saxony; leaves open whether expanded sentinel surveillance improves human prevention.
Targeted wildlife surveillance enables early detection of emerging infections and facilitates prevention of wildlife-human spillover events. The Eurasian wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) serves as a valuable indicator species for wildlife surveillance due to its broad European distribution and its ability to adapt to diverse habitats. Wild boar and domestic pigs are the main reservoir for hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3, which can be transmitted to humans mainly through consumption of undercooked meat. Wild boar can also be infected by vector-borne pathogens like the mosquito-transmitted orthoflavivirus West Nile virus (WNV), and the related tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). To establish an efficient multi-pathogen serological screening system for wild boar surveillance, a multiplex bead-based serological assay was developed for the detection of antibodies against HEV, WNV, and TBEV. Screening of 960 wild boar sera collected in 2023/24 from eight districts in Saxony, Central/Eastern Germany, revealed moderate seropositivity for HEV (24.3 %) and TBEV (33.8 %), and low positivity for WNV (8.4 %). Molecular analysis identified HEV RNA in five individuals, and sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis showed close relationship to subtype HEV-3i. These findings demonstrate that wild boar in Saxony are exposed to HEV, WNV, and TBEV, highlighting the value of multiplex serological screening as an effective tool for wildlife-based surveillance of these viruses. • New multiplex Luminex bead-based assay enables HEV, WNV and TBEV antibody detection. • Wild boar screening in Saxony revealed low WNV and moderate HEV and TBEV exposure. • HEV RNA was found in five wild boar, demonstrating infection with HEV genotype 3. • This study demonstrates wild boar as suitable hosts for zoonotic virus surveillance.
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Sadeghi et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Zoonotic virus exposure (HEV, WNV, TBEV) (n=960). Zoonotic virus exposure (HEV, WNV, TBEV) was evaluated on Seropositivity for HEV, WNV, and TBEV. Multiplex serological screening of 960 wild boar sera in Saxony revealed seropositivity rates of 24.3% for HEV, 33.8% for TBEV, and 8.4% for WNV.
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