Louisa Ludwig-Begall

Dr. Louisa Ludwig-Begall


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 March 2025 in Viruses
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CWConstance Wielick
Constance Wielick
LLLouisa Ludwig-Begall
Louisa Ludwig-Begall
SRStefaan RIBBENS
Stefaan RIBBENS
ETEtienne Thiry
Etienne Thiry
CFChristel Faes
Christel Faes
Claude SaegermanClaude Saegerman
Claude Saegerman
Hepatitis E viruses (HEV) cause hepatitis E in humans. In industrialized countries, sporadic HEV infections, typically caused by HEV genotypes 3 or 4, can become chronic and progress to liver cirrhosis in immunocompromised individuals. Pigs are a significant animal reservoir, implicating raw or undercooked pork products as potential sources of human infection. To better understand HEV dissemination in the Belgian pig population, potential risk factors were investigated by linking farm-level HEV serological status to biosecurity questionnaire data. Farrow-to-finish herd type, free-range systems, and poor boot hygiene were significantly associated with higher within-herd prevalences. This enabled an initial risk profiling of various farming types and the development of predictions for all Belgian pig farms. When combined with the census of the Belgian wild boar population, the predicted HEV status of all professional Belgian pig farms (based on these associations) does not suggest that the proximity of wild boars is a main source of HEV in free-ranging herds. Identifying risk factors for increased circulation of HEV between and within pig farms is critical to controlling its spread and reducing human infection.