Rat Hepatitis E Virus (Rocahepevirus ratti): Global Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, and Zoonotic Risks

Résumé fourni par la source

Rat hepatitis E virus (rHEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen, increasingly detected in human, animal, and environmental samples globally. Although rHEV shares the same subfamily as human hepatitis E virus (HEV; Paslahepevirus balayani), which is endemic across Africa, little is known about rHEV ecology on the continent beyond an isolated travel-related case linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon. As a rodent-borne virus, rHEV poses a public health risk due to the widespread presence of the synanthropic reservoir Rattus norvegicus. Limited data on hepatitis of unknown origin further emphasise the need for active surveillance to understand the distribution, epidemiology, and impact of rHEV on human health. This review summarises our current knowledge on the global distribution of rHEV in humans, animals, and the environment, highlighting the importance of ongoing surveillance through the One Health Approach. Monitoring the virus in countries such as Nigeria, a country with a significant pig population and documented circulation of hepatitis E virus (HEV), could improve healthcare for immunocompromised and at-risk populations. Furthermore, the viral evolution may facilitate host adaptation and transmission, thereby complicating control efforts. These factors underscore the necessity for targeted research and intervention strategies to address the emerging threat of rHEV effectively.

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