Key result
Origin from Sonora State was strongly associated with HEV seropositivity in pigs (OR 6.51; 95% CI 3.74-11.32; P<0.001), as was mean annual rainfall ≤600 mm.
Cross-Sectional (n=427)
A high seroprevalence of HEV infection was found in pigs in Durango, Mexico, associated with origin and climatic factors like rainfall.
High HEV seroprevalence in Durango pigs signals possible zoonotic exposure; leaves open need for human surveillance and prospective transmission studies.
No information about hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in pigs in the northern Mexican state of Durango exists. We determined the seroprevalence and correlates of anti-HEV IgG antibodies in pigs in Durango, Mexico. Through a cross-sectional study, we studied 427 pigs raised in backyards (n = 328), or slaughtered (n = 99) in Durango. Sera of pigs were analyzed for anti-HEV IgG antibodies using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay. Antibodies to HEV were found in 193 (45.2%) of the 427 pigs studied. A significantly higher seroprevalence was observed in slaughtered pigs (79.8%) than in backyard pigs (34.8%). Bivariate analysis showed that HEV seropositivity was associated with age, sex, breed, climate, altitude, mean annual temperature, mean annual rainfall, and farm raising. Logistic regression analysis showed that HEV seropositivity was associated with the origin (Sonora State) of pigs (OR=6.51; 95%CI: 3.74-11.32; P < 0.001), and mean annual rainfall (≤600 mm) (OR=1.78; 95%CI: 1.01-3.15; P = 0.04). A high seroprevalence of HEV infection in pigs slaughtered for human consumption in Durango City was found. This is the first report of an association between HEV seropositivity in pigs and climatic factors. Infection factors found may help for the optimal planning of preventive measures against HEV infection.
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Alvarado‐Esquivel et al. (2017) conducted a cross-sectional in Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection (n=427). Origin from Sonora State vs. Other origins was evaluated on HEV seropositivity (OR 6.51, 95% CI 3.74-11.32, p=<0.001). Origin from Sonora State was strongly associated with HEV seropositivity in pigs (OR 6.51; 95% CI 3.74-11.32; P<0.001), as was mean annual rainfall ≤600 mm.
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