Seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus and anti-Salmonella antibodies in pigs at slaughter in Switzerland

J Food Prot. 2012 Aug;75(8):1483-5. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-12-058.

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and Salmonella bacteria are zoonotic pathogens that can be acquired by foodborne transmission because food animals, for example pigs, are recognized as a reservoir. The objectives of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-Salmonella antibodies from healthy pigs at slaughter in Switzerland, a country with a good health status of pig herds (e.g., eradication of enzootic pneumonia) compared with those of many countries in the European Union, and a rate of importation of live pigs that is very low (<1%). Based on pooled (diaphragm muscles from 3 to 5 animals per producer) meat juice samples, 120 (60%) of 200 and 8 (4%) of 200 samples were positive for anti-HEV IgG and anti-Salmonella antibodies, respectively. HEV seems to be highly prevalent among fattening pigs in Switzerland, whereas the low seroprevalence of anti-Salmonella IgG has not changed in recent years.

MeSH terms

  • Abattoirs
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
  • Hepatitis E / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis E / veterinary*
  • Hepatitis E virus / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Public Health
  • Salmonella / immunology
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / epidemiology*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Switzerland / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G