Atti 76° Congresso Nazionale SISvet

Hepatitis E virus is a cosmopolitan emerging foodborne pathogen, and raw or undercooked liver and pork products can cause infection through the orofecal route. The domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) represents the main “urban reservoir” both for humans and wild animals (Priemer et al., 2022). In Central-Southern Italy, the small traditional farming method, and the possibility of environmental sharing with wild species can represent crucial aspects for HEV diffusion and persistence. The aim of this study was to detect HEV RNA (genotype and subtype) from home slaughtered domestic pigs in the Ascoli Piceno province (Central Italy) and more specifically from Monti Sibillini National Park. For this purpose, a total of 236 liver and muscle tissue samples were collected from subjects with a final age of 1 year and half and weight of 200±20 Kg. Each tissue aliquot (15g) was conferred at slaughterhouse level. Laboratory workflow started from omogenization, followed by the RNA extraction using the Trizol LS method. The last analytical steps were bio-molecular screenings: nested RT-PCR and qRT-PCR amplifying specific genetic determinants belonging to the HEV ORF-1, ORF-2, and ORF-3 genes. Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed. The IBM® SPSS® Statistics Software was used for the statistical data analysis calculating the chi-square value (with Yates’s correction). A total of 42/236 (17.79% CI 95%: 12.92-22.66%) liver samples resulted positive for the HEV RNA detection (ORF- 1 and 2); while 8/42 (19.04% CI 95%: 7.17-30.91%) of positive subjects (liver organ) detected HEV RNA from diaphragm specimens too. Sequences presented high nucleotide similarities (over than 98.00%) with genotype 3. The discovered HEV-3 was the same amplified from wild boars’ populations screened in the same province (Ferri et al., 2022). Basing on the farming systems and on the possible environmental sharing with wildlife, the scientific hypothesis of cross-infection possibility was supported by the obtained data. This study wants to focus further attention on the importance of HEV environmental surveillance that represents a crucial public health concern (following a One-health approach).