Prevalence of hepatitis E virus in fattening pigs brought to the slaughterhouse from farms in Fukuoka [Japan] prefecture

• Published in: Journal of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 62; no. 11; pp. 895 - 897
• Main Authors: Yokoyama, A., Fukuoka-ken. Meat Inspection Center, Chikushino (Japan), Yamasaki, C, Kiyoshima, A, Yamaguchi, K, Maeda, H, Tada, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japan Veterinary Medical Association 20.11.2009
• Subjects: ABATTOIR; ABATTOIRS; ANTIBODIES; ANTICORPS; ANTICUERPOS; CERDO; fattening pigs; HEPATITE; HEPATITIS; hepatitis E virus; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_11527; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_34079; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_4039; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_493; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7555; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_8; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_8262; JAPAN; JAPON; MATADEROS; PCR; PORCIN; SWINE; VIRUS; VIRUSES
• ISSN: 0446-6454; 2186-0211
• DOI: 10.12935/jvma.62.895

The authors conducted an abattoir survey to determine the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis E virus (HEV) and the HEV gene from 120 fattening pigs reared on 13 farms in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. IgG and IgM antibodies against HEV were detected in 73 (60.8%) pigs from 12 farms and two (1.6%) pigs from two farms, respectively. The HEV gene was detected in five (4.1%) pigs from three farms. The HEV gene is not usually detected in shipment pigs infected with HEV during the growing period. The HEV gene was detected in IgG antibody negative pigs, showing that HEV infection occurred just before shipment in the fattening pigs brought to the slaughterhouse.