DETECTION OF HEPATITIS-E VIRUS-INFECTIONS AMONG DOMESTIC SWINE IN THEKATHMANDU VALLEY OF NEPAL

The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections among 55 domestic swine living in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal was investigated. Sera and stool specimens were collected from 47 free-roaming swine and exam ined for the presence of HEV genomic sequences by the reverse transcri ption-polymerase chain reaction. Sera from these animals, as well as s era from eight other swine, were also examined for the presence of HEV -specific antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by a fluorescent antibody blocking assay. Hepatitis E virus RNA was detecte d in the sera and/or stool of three of 47 swine, while HEV-specific an tibodies were detected in 18 of 55 swine. These results indicate that HEV is a zoonotic virus, and that swine are among its natural hosts.