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Imprint
Rat hepatitis E virus as a model virus for studies on stability, pathogenicity and transmission pathways of human hepatitis E viruses
Project
Project code: BfR-BIOS-08-1322-444
Contract period: 01.04.2010
- 31.12.2010
Purpose of research: Applied research
Hepatitis E is a human disease, which is increasingly diagnosed in developed countries. In 2008, a total of 104 cases have been notified in Germany, most of them have been acquired in Germany. For those authochthonous infections, a zoonotic transmission of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) from infected pigs and wild boars through the food chain is assumed. Although it is known that HEV is broadly distributed in the German animal population, important data on stability, pathogenicity and transmission pathways of HEV are missing, thus making the assessment of the risk of hepatitis E due to consumption of meat difficult. The major reasons behind that are missing cell culture and animal models for the virus. We have identified for the first time an HEV-like virus in rats. In the proposed project, the entire genome sequence of this virus will be determined, isolation of the virus in tissue culture will be tried and an experimental infection of laboratory rats will be performed. The investigations will at first clarify, whether this virus is suitable as a model for human HEV. Thereafter, experiments assessing the stability of the virus and determine the minimal infectious dose may be follow.
Section overview
Subjects
- Toxicology
