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Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus)
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867614065870766080 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Sallie, Sarah |
| author2 | Maponga, Tongai Gibson |
| author_browse | Maponga, Tongai Gibson Sallie, Sarah |
| author_facet | Maponga, Tongai Gibson Sallie, Sarah |
| author_sort | Sallie, Sarah |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134801 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:07.073Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134801 Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) Sallie, Sarah Maponga, Tongai Gibson Preiser, Wolfgang Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Pathology. Medical Virology. Hepatitis E -- Transmission Zoonoses Warthogs Wildlife diseases -- Molecular aspects Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Sallie, S. 2025. Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus). Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/cccffdd9-8a45-46bd-92ef-468bdb4398f2 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most frequent causes of acute hepatitis. HEV occurs globally, with distinct epidemiological patterns associated with distinct genotypes. Zoonotic genotypes 3 and 4 are acquired mostly by ingestion of infected porcine food products. While domestic pigs and wild boar are well-established reservoirs, there is currently no data on HEV infection in the closely related warthog. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of HEV infection in South African warthogs. Methods Ethical approval was granted by Stellenbosch University (ACU-2024-30006; BES-2024-30080), and a Section 20 permit was obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). All samples included in this study were obtained from South African Nation Parks Veterinary Wildlife Services biorepositories across two geographic locations, Skukuza in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga province and Mokala National Park (MNP) in the Northern Cape province. A total of 267 warthog serum samples were screened for HEV-specific antibodies using the Fortress Diagnostics HEV-Ab ELISA kit. In addition, HEV RNA testing was performed on 267 serum samples and 8 faecal samples using an in-house real-time RT-PCR assay. Results Of the 267 serum samples tested, 58 (22%) were seropositive for HEV-specific antibodies. Site-specific seroprevalence showed a statistically significant difference (χ² = 13, p = 0.0003) with 13% (18/144) seropositivity in Skukuza and 32% (40/126) in MNP. No HEV RNA was detected from any of the samples using during real-time PCR, with internal controls confirming assay validity. Conclusions This study presents the first known report of serological evidence of HEV exposure in South African warthogs. The absence of detectable HEV RNA likely aligns with the transient nature of HEV infection in suids, where RNA shedding occurs for a short viraemic window relative to the long-time persistence of specific antibodies. Further studies integrating molecular detection, genetic sequencing, and systematic longitudinal sampling are required to clarify the role of warthogs in HEV ecology and their contribution to cross-species transmission, including zoonotic spread. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2026-01-08T09:57:37Z 2026-01-08T09:57:37Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134801 Stellenbosch University xi, 122 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Hepatitis E -- Transmission Zoonoses Warthogs Wildlife diseases -- Molecular aspects Sallie, Sarah Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) |
| title | Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) |
| title_full | Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) |
| title_fullStr | Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) |
| title_short | Evidence for infection with hepatitis E-related viruses in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) |
| title_sort | evidence for infection with hepatitis e related viruses in free ranging warthogs phacochoerus africanus |
| topic | Hepatitis E -- Transmission Zoonoses Warthogs Wildlife diseases -- Molecular aspects |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134801 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT salliesarah evidenceforinfectionwithhepatitiserelatedvirusesinfreerangingwarthogsphacochoerusafricanus |