Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a global public health concern, causing over 20 million infections annually. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal–oral route, with wild boars and domestic swine as major reservoirs involved in zoonotic transmission. Bahía de Samborombón is an important natural reserve in Argentina characterized by a high population of wild boars, located in a livestock-intensive region near major urban centers. As part of a wild boar control program, 11 sampling campaigns were carried out between 2022 and 2023. Fecal, blood, and liver samples were systematically collected from 80 captured animals for the detection and characterization of HEV through antibody and RNA testing. Serological analysis revealed a positivity rate of 42.4%, whereas RT-qPCR detected HEV RNA in 9.1% of fecal samples and 12.5% of liver samples. From the positive samples, seven viral sequences were recovered using RT-nested PCR, including six from ORF1 and one from ORF2. Phylogenetic analysis clustered these sequences within zoonotic HEV genotype 3, showing a close relationship with human sequences from Buenos Aires and neighboring provinces. This study confirms the presence of HEV in wild boars from Argentina, highlighting the circulation of genotype 3, clade abchijklmno and the associated zoonotic risk.

The global consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) leafy green vegetables and berries has risen as consumers perceive them as safe and nutritious options. However, these foods have also been identified as sources of enteric viruses that infect the human gastrointestinal system, which are then excreted and can spread through the fecal-oral route. In Argentina, there is limited evidence on the detection of enteric viruses in food, and no legislation currently requires their detection in frozen or fresh produce intended for domestic consumption. This study aimed to identify and characterize five foodborne viruses with high and low health impact (norovirus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, rotavirus, and adenovirus) in berries and RTE leafy vegetables marketed in central Argentina. A total of 242 samples (145 berries and 97 leafy greens) were collected from retail sources in Córdoba and processed according to ISO 15216-2:2019 standard. Viral detection was performed by qPCR or RT-qPCR, followed by viral characterization through specific RT-PCR assays or Sanger sequencing. Results indicate that 4.1% of berry samples, primarily frozen strawberries, tested positive for norovirus or rotavirus, while 10.3% of leafy green samples were positive for norovirus, rotavirus and adenovirus. Genotyping indicated the same strains to those involved in local gastroenteritis outbreaks. The absence of hepatitis A and E viruses suggests limited transmission of these pathogens through these foods. This study highlights the need to strengthen hygiene and monitoring protocols for RTE products, as viral contamination poses potential health risks to consumers, underscoring a critical area for improving food safety.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide, yet its impact in Latin America remains underexplored. Evidence suggests that chronic liver disease (CLD) patients infected with HEV face increased risks of disease progression and mortality. The PROGINS haplotype has been proposed to influence susceptibility to HEV. This study assessed HEV infection in CLD patients from Latin America and potential associated factors, including the PROGINS haplotype. Methods: A total of 971 individuals—784 with CLD and 187 healthy controls (HC)—from six countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru) were analyzed for anti-HEV IgG and IgM (ELISA), HEV-RNA (RT-qPCR and nested PCR with Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis), and the PROGINS haplotype (PCR). Results: The overall anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was 15.2%: 15.4% in CLD and 14.4% in HC, with no statistical difference. Marked geographical disparities were observed, with Chile showing the highest (45.1%) and Argentina the lowest (4.2%) anti-HEV IgG detection rates. Cirrhosis and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) were significantly associated with higher detection rates, while neither age nor sex influenced HEV seroprevalences. PROGINS haplotype showed no significant association with HEV infection. Anti-HEV IgM and HEV-RNA were detected in 11.2% and 0.4% of participants, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed zoonotic HEV-3 circulation in the region. Conclusions: This first multinational assessment of HEV in Latin America reveals heterogeneous seroprevalence across countries. Findings support considering HEV testing in diagnostic protocols for CLD patients particularly those with cirrhosis or ALD- when presenting with unexplained hepatic decompensation or acute hepatitis.