Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies in Slaughtered Pigs at the Ikpa Slaughterhouse, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
1
Veterinary Public Health, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A25
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Hepatitis E is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the hepatitis E virus. It is a leading cause of viral hepatitis globally, causing severe zoonotic complications, including high risk of stillbirth and fetal loss in pregnant women, as well as cirrhosis, fulminant hepatitis, and severe extrahepatic manifestations in the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Pigs are a common reservoir; however, data on hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in pigs in Nigeria remain limited. This cross-sectional study carried out between October and December 2024 aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis E antibodies in slaughtered pigs, at the Ikpa slaughterhouse, Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria, by evaluating the presence of anti-hepatitis E virus immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) respectively in serum samples obtained from sampled pigs using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The age and sex related associations were also analyzed. A total of 407 cross-bred pigs (Landrace X Large White) were sampled. Our findings revealed that 159 pigs were positive for anti-hepatitis E antibody (indicating 39% prevalence), including 36 pigs (8.8%) testing positive for IgM, while 123 pigs (30.2%) tested positive for IgG. Statistical analysis identified a significant association between sex and IgG Seropositivity (P ≤ 0.023), with male pigs having 1.291 higher odds of being IgG Seropositive than females. This significant seroprevalence underscores the need for continued surveillance and public health interventions to reduce exposure and prevent outbreaks.
Hepatitis E is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the hepatitis E virus. It is a leading cause of viral hepatitis globally, causing severe zoonotic complications, including high risk of stillbirth and fetal loss in pregnant women, as well as cirrhosis, fulminant hepatitis, and severe extrahepatic manifestations in the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Pigs are a common reservoir; however, data on hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in pigs in Nigeria remain limited. This cross-sectional study carried out between October and December 2024 aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis E antibodies in slaughtered pigs, at the Ikpa slaughterhouse, Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria, by evaluating the presence of anti-hepatitis E virus immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) respectively in serum samples obtained from sampled pigs using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The age and sex related associations were also analyzed. A total of 407 cross-bred pigs (Landrace X Large White) were sampled. Our findings revealed that 159 pigs were positive for anti-hepatitis E antibody (indicating 39% prevalence), including 36 pigs (8.8%) testing positive for IgM, while 123 pigs (30.2%) tested positive for IgG. Statistical analysis identified a significant association between sex and IgG Seropositivity (P ≤ 0.023), with male pigs having 1.291 higher odds of being IgG Seropositive than females. This significant seroprevalence underscores the need for continued surveillance and public health interventions to reduce exposure and prevent outbreaks.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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