Key result
Occupational exposure to pigs or pork is linked to ~254% higher HEV seroprevalence versus unexposed controls.
Why the study?
Autochthonous hepatitis E virus is a zoonosis with pigs as the principal reservoir, raising concern that workers in the pig sector may be at high occupational risk for infection.
Does occupational exposure to pigs or pork increase the seroprevalence of HEV IgG antibodies in workers?
Cross-Sectional (n=309)
Does occupational exposure to pigs or pork increase the seroprevalence of HEV IgG antibodies in workers?
Workers in the pig sector have a significantly higher risk of HEV infection compared to the general population, highlighting the need for targeted occupational health interventions.
May warrant targeted HEV screening in pig workers; leaves open causal links and intervention effects.
INTRODUCTION: Autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in industrialised countries is a zoonosis. Pigs are recognised as the principal reservoir. Consequently, workers in the pig sector may be a high-risk occupational group for HEV infection. The current study aims to investigate whether workers exposed to pigs or pork have a higher seroprevalence of HEV IgG in comparison to a control group. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 92 individuals occupationally exposed to pigs or pork and 217 control subjects outside the pig sector. Socio-demographic variables, information about occupation, and a number of relevant confounding variables (such as eating habits, and history of blood transfusions) were gathered by a questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Our study revealed a significantly higher seroprevalence of HEV antibodies in pig workers (32.6%) compared to the control group (9.2%) (p < 0.001). The relation between occupational exposure and HEV seropositivity remained significant in the multiple logistic regression analysis, in which the odds were adjusted for age, gender, and eating habits. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this first HEV IgG serology study in the pig sector in Belgium demonstrate that workers in this sector have a higher risk for HEV infection compared to a population not occupationally exposed to pigs and pork. These findings underscore the need for targeted occupational health interventions, including improved hygiene practices and informing employees with risk profiles, to mitigate the risk of HEV infection among pig workers.
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Janssens et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection (n=309). Occupational exposure to pigs or pork vs. Control subjects outside the pig sector was evaluated on Seroprevalence of HEV IgG antibodies (p=< 0.001). Occupational exposure to pigs or pork was associated with a significantly higher seroprevalence of HEV antibodies compared to controls outside the pig sector (32.6% vs 9.2%, p < 0.001).
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