Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen of increasing concern in developed regions and represents a major cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide, primarily transmitted via the fecal–oral route. Although most infections are self-limiting, immunocompromised individuals, such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) and pregnant women, are at risk of severe outcomes, including chronic infection and fatal liver failure, respectively. This study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence and genetic diversity of HEV in PLWH and relevant ecological niches (swine and wastewater) in Venezuela. A total of 417 serum samples from PLWH, 85 wastewater samples, and 67 swine fecal samples were tested for serological or molecular HEV markers. The seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies among PLWH was 0.2% for IgM and 5.5% for IgG. HEV RNA was not detected in samples from PLWH or wastewater; however, a 1.5% prevalence of active infection was identified in swine. Phylogenetic analysis of a complete HEV genome revealed an unassignable subtype within genotype 3, tentatively designated as 3p. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first molecular characterization and report on HEV frequency in PLWH, wastewater, and swine in Venezuela.

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