Discovery of Novel Strains of Animal Hepatitis E Viruses in the United States: Antigenic and Genetic Characterization, Cross-Species Infection, and Public Health Implications

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dc.contributor.authorCossaboom, Caitlin Marieen
dc.contributor.committeechairMeng, Xiang-Jinen
dc.contributor.committeememberBuechner-Maxwell, Virginia A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberLi, Liwuen
dc.contributor.committeememberLeRoith, Tanyaen
dc.contributor.committeememberElvinger, Françoisen
dc.contributor.departmentBiomedical and Veterinary Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2017-06-09T18:30:46Zen
dc.date.adate2015-04-30en
dc.date.available2017-06-09T18:30:46Zen
dc.date.issued2015-03-17en
dc.date.rdate2016-04-30en
dc.date.sdate2015-03-29en
dc.description.abstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important human pathogen, with pigs and likely other animal species serving as natural reservoirs. There are currently four recognized HEV genotypes that infect humans within the genus Hepevirus of the family Hepeviridae. Genotypes 1 and 2 are human viruses that are associated with waterborne and fecal-oral transmission in developing countries, while genotypes 3 and 4 have been identified in humans and other animal species and are zoonotic and endemic in both industrialized and developing countries. In my dissertation research, we identified the first strain of HEV from rabbits in the United States. We subsequently determined the complete genome sequence of the virus. Phylogenetic analyses of the full-length sequence indicated that U.S. rabbit HEV is a distant member of the zoonotic genotype 3, thus raising a potential concern for zoonotic infection. In order to investigate the cross-species potential of rabbit HEV, we then determined its antigenic cross-reactivity with other animal strains of HEV. Additionally, we demonstrated that the novel rabbit HEV could cross species barriers and infect pigs under experimental conditions. Finally, we attempted to determine the risk factors and sources of foodborne HEV infection in the United States. We detected HEV for the first time from non-liver pork commercial products in the United States and demonstrated consumption of undercooked meat a risk factor for HEV infection. HEV sequences of genotype 3 origin were detected from pork products purchased from grocery stores in Southwest Virginia. Approximately 6.3% (21/335) of university students tested seropositive for HEV antibodies and, importantly, those with a history of consuming undercooked meats were 13 times more likely to be seropositive. These results further underscore the importance of cooking pork thoroughly and using proper hygiene when preparing meals.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.identifier.otheretd-03292015-095219en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-03292015-095219/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/77998en
dc.language.isoen_USen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectzoonosisen
dc.subjecttransmissionen
dc.subjectHepatitis E Virusen
dc.subjectcross-speciesen
dc.titleDiscovery of Novel Strains of Animal Hepatitis E Viruses in the United States: Antigenic and Genetic Characterization, Cross-Species Infection, and Public Health Implicationsen
dc.typeDissertationen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineBiomedical and Veterinary Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

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