Spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) as an ingredient in diets for nursery pigs is well recognized to improve growth rate, feed intake, feed efficiency, and to reduce post-weaning diarrhea, mortality, and morbidity [1,2]. In addition, weaned pigs fed diets supplemented with SDPP had reduced intestinal inflammation, mucosal barrier dysfunction, and diarrhea [3].

In recent years, sporadic cases of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) have been reported in the human population of the USA, Europe, and developed countries of the Asian-Pacific region and this virus is now considered an emerging disease [4]. Pigs are recognized as a potential reservoir for HEV [5,6] and as a possible source of HEV transmission to humans [7-9]. The main transmission route for HEV is fecal-oral [10]. The virus has been identified on swine farms in many geographical areas, including the USA and Europe, and the reported prevalence ranges from 22% to 55% [10,11].

Hepatitis E virus is a non-enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that is 27–34 nm in diameter and has been classified in the Hepeviridae family, genus Hepevirus [10]. Currently four distinct genotypes distributed geographically are described. Genotypes 1 and 2 HEV are restricted to humans whereas only genotypes 3 and 4 have been recovered from pigs, humans and others species and are responsible for sporadic cases of HEV in humans. Genotype 3 is found predominantly in Europe, North America and South America [12-14]. Hepatitis E virus is low to moderately resistant to heat and is almost completely inactivated after 1 h of incubation at 60°C to 66°C for all strains tested [15].

Data collected in different European countries show prevalence in weaner pigs ranging from 8% to 30%, between 20% and 44% in growers and 8% to 73% in fatteners [16]. Similarly, the prevalence of HEV in Spain has been reported to range from 20% to 59% and was widely distributed in nearly 100% of investigated swine farms [17-19]. Therefore, prevalence of HEV is high in all age groups of pigs, including pigs at slaughter age, which could still be infected with HEV.

The objectives of the study were to analyze the presence of HEV RNA and antibodies (AB) in commercial samples of SDPP obtained from a Spanish manufacturer and to retrospectively analyze serum samples collected from pigs used in past studies that were fed diets containing 8% SDPP to determine any potential risk of transmission of HEV as indicated by seroconversion in those animals.

Results

Presence of AB and HEV RNA in SDPP

All eighty-five commercial SDPP samples (100%) contained detectable AB against HEV (Figure 1). Eleven of 49 randomly selected samples (22.4%) were RT-PCR positive to HEV genome.

Retrospective HEV titer analysis of sera samples collected from pigs fed diets containing SDPP

Serum samples (n = 72) from 36 pigs (initial age, 6 weeks) used in an experiment in which pigs were fed diets containing either 0% SDPP (n = 18) or 8% SDPP (n = 18) for 9 weeks was retrospectively analyzed for HEV AB by ELISA. HEV titers were not detected in any serum samples that were collected at day 0 or day 63 of this experiment.

Retrospective HEV titer analysis of a separate set of sera samples (n = 22) collected from 11 pigs (initial age, 3 to 4 weeks) fed diets containing either 0% SDPP (n = 5) or 8% SDPP (n = 6) for 45 days are presented in Table 1. HEV titer was detected in sera from 4 pigs (2 in each group) at the beginning of the experiment; however by the end of the experiment, no HEV titer was detected in any of the samples. Sera samples at the beginning of the experiment were collected prior to feeding experimental diets, so it is probable that the titer detected was of maternal origin. Absence of titer in all sera samples collected at the end of the experiment indicates there was no seroconversion to HEV.

Results of HEV titer analysis of a third set of sera samples (n = 46) from 23 pigs (initial age, 3.5 weeks) fed diets with 0% SDPP (n = 12) or 8% SDPP (n = 11) for 28 days are presented in Table 2 . Pigs in this experiment were divided into four groups, with two groups challenged with porcine reproductive and respiratory síndrome virus (PRRSV) and fed diets with either 0% SDPP (n = 6) or 8% SDPP (n = 5) or two groups not challenged with PRRSV and fed diets with either 0% SDPP (n = 6) or 8% SDPP (n = 6). HEV titer was detected in serum collected at the beginning of the experiment from 4 pigs (1 pig from each of the 4 groups). By the end of the study (28 days later) only 1 sample that previously contained HEV titer (probably from maternal origin) still had HEV AB, although at a much lower titer (Table 2). The SDPP used in this study was positive for the presence of HEV genome analyzed by nested RT-PCR. The HEV titer results indicate there was no seroconversion, even though the SDPP used in the study contained HEV RNA. Presence of viral genome as determined by PCR does not determine if the genome is capable of causing infection.

Table 1: Antibody titers against HEV in retained serum samples collected from pigs fed diets with or without spray dried porcine plasma1

¹Optical density values analyzed by ELISA. Neg means that the O.D. value is below the cut-off established for the technique (<0.300). ²Serum collected from pigs weaned at 3 to 4 wks of age and fed diets with either 0% or 8% SDPP for 45 days [33]. Serum samples from pigs were stored at −80°C since the experiment was completed (April to October 2006) and retrospectively analyzed for the presence of HEV AB during April to May 2012.

Figure 1: Antibodies against HEV in 81 different samples of commercial spray-dried porcine plasma batches produced from November 2009 to December 2010. The established cut-off optical density value was 0.300 for positive detection of antibodies. Each bullet point indicates a Positive (spheres), Negative (triangles) or Unrealized (diamonds) RT-PCR results.

Discussion

These studies constitute the first survey about the presence of AB against HEV and HEV genome in SDPP. The results indicated that 100% of commercial SDPP samples collected during a 13 month-period contained AB against HEV and 22.4% of samples contained HEV RNA.

These results are consistent with the reported HEV AB prevalence of 50% to 100% of pigs at the end of fattening period [17,20], and that 91.5% to 97.6% of farms had pigs with HEV antibodies [19,21]. Likewise, 13.9% of serum samples from pigs older than 6 months were found positive for HEV RNA in a recent Spanish serological survey of 85 farms [18]. Serological studies reported a worldwide distribution of HEV in swine herds located in the USA, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan and European countries [10]. This high percentage of HEV sero-positive SDPP obtained in our study is not surprising, as liquid plasma from approximately 30,000 to 40,000 pigs is pooled to produce a batch of commercial SDPP. Spray dried plasma has previously been shown to contain AB against multiple pathogens circulating in the pig population at any point in time [22]. The presence of AB against HEV in SDPP may have potential to provide passive immunity at the gut mucosal level while being fed to post-weaning pigs. Recent research has demonstrated that liquid porcine plasma contains antibodies against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) and that after spray drying neutralizing activity was conserved [23].

Under natural conditions, the dynamics of HEV infection is similar to that described for other viral infections in pigs. Acquisition of passive immunity through colostrum absorption (60% of pigs), progressive decline of passive AB at 6 to 12 wk of age, then seroconversion between 14 to 17 wk of age, which is the peak of viremia [10], is followed by a gradual decline to slaughter age [20].

Table 2: Antibodies titers against HEV in serum samples from pigs fed diets containing spray dried porcine plasma and challenged with PRRSV1,2

¹Optical density values analyzed by ELISA. Neg means that the O.D. value is below the cut-off established for the technique (<0.300).
²Serum samples from pigs were stored at −80°C since the experiment [34] was completed (April to October, 2006) and retrospectively analyzed for the presence of HEV AB during April to May, 2012. ³Respective control or SDPP groups of pigs were fed diets containing 0% or 8% SDPP for 28 days.
⁴Indicated if the pigs were intranasal challenged with PRRSV.

However, this pattern can differ depending on strain of HEV. At Japanese swine farms infected with two common genotype III HEV strains, peak HEV fecal excretion was observed between 1 to 3 mo of age (75% to 100% of the pigs) and by 5 to 6 mo of age, it had declined to 7% of the pigs [24].

Blood is not a primary reservoir of HEV, which is mainly present in liver, stomach, small intestine, spleen, kidneys, salivary glands, tonsils and lungs [10]. However, in Japan it was reported that 10% of pigs at 3 mo of age had HEV in their blood (32/310 positives) but none of the 136 pigs tested positive at 6 mo of age [25]. Similar observations have been reported in a Spanish surveillance study of 6 farrow-to-finish swine herds positive for HEV. Although viremia was observed in some animals at 13 wks of age in one of the herds, none of the pigs at slaughter age from any herd contained HEV in their blood [26]. However, it is possible that pigs with low protective immunity can acquire an HEV infection during their productive life [27] and may contain HEV RNA in blood at slaughter age [26] and as demonstrated in our current analysis of SDPP collected from a Spanish plasma plant. Therefore, although presence of HEV in blood of pigs at slaughter age is low, it is important to demonstrate the absence of HEV transmission risk from feeding pigs diets containing SDPP that may contain HEV RNA.

Heat resistance of HEV is not very high. In cell cultures, HEV was inactivated at 56°C within 30 min or at 66°C during 1 h, depending on virus strain [15,28]. Complete inactivation of HEV in pig liver or in complex meat matrices was achieved at an internal temperatura of 71°C [29,30].

Several studies conducted with laboratory spray-driers have demonstrated that the processing conditions used in the plasma industry inactivate low to medium heat resistant viruses like porcine pseudorabies virus (PRV) and PRRSV [31] and even high heat resistant viruses like swine vesicular disease (SVDV) virus [32]. Two recent studies also confirmed that porcine epidemic diarrea virus (PEDV) was effectively inactivated in plasma by spray drying in a lab drier [33,34]. In addition, several studies have demonstrated that commercial SDPP in diets fed to pigs does not transmit heat resistant viruses such as PCV2 or PPV [31,35-37].

There are numerous features used in the manufacturing process of commercial SDPP that contribute to the bio-safety of this functional protein ingredient. Only blood from healthy pigs that have passed ante-mortem inspection by veterinary competent authorities and approved as fit for slaughter for human consumption is collected for commercially produced SDPP. Avoidance of collecting plasma from clinically affected pigs decreases the risk of potential pathogen transmission; however, in case of asymptomatic diseases like HEV, the safety features of the whole manufacturing process should assure inactivation of such pathogens that cannot be detected at inspection. Other safety features, in addition of the pooling effect mentioned earlier includes spray-drying at high processing temperatures.

Spray drying is the transformation of a feed from a fluid state into a dried particulate by spraying the feed into a gaseous drying medium. The spray-drying process can be divided into 3 significant steps, including atomization of the liquid feed, interaction of the liquid droplet with the drying gases, and separation of the dried powder from the drying gases [38,39]. The conditions in each step can affect the physical characteristics of the powder and microbial survival [39]. The spray drying process used in commercial manufacturing of SDPP has demonstrated its efficacy as a pasteurization-like process to inactivate bacteria and viruses [35] as indicated above. The spray-drying process submits liquid plasma to a thermal process of > 80°C throughout its substance. Therefore, the heat treatment used during the spray-drying process is theoretically adequate to inactivate HEV if present in the raw material. In addition, numerous pathogens do not survive well in a dehydrated substance like SDPP (moisture < 9% and water activity <0.6) that is stored in dry environment for at least 2 weeks prior to reléase for sale. Furthermore, the inherent neutralizing antibodies in pooled liquid plasma can be regarded as an additional effective safety feature of the manufacturing process for SDPP [23,36]. Recent evidence indicates that neutralizing antibody activity is maintained even after plasma is spray-dried [23]. All these different safety features of the manufacturing process for SDPP (healthy animals, dilution factor, spray-drying process, dry environment, storage at room temperature for at least two weeks and inherent neutralizing antibodies) collectively contribute to the safety of SDPP as a feed ingredient as demonstrated for a variety of swine pathogens previously studied [31,33-37].

Results from our retrospective analysis of serum samples collected from pigs fed commercial SDPP in 3 different experiments indicated absence of HEV virus transmission by feeding diets with SDPP, as observed by the lack of HEV seroconversion. In the results reported in Table 2, HEV seroconversion was not detected even though pigs were experimentally infected with PRRSV, which may make pigs potentially more susceptible to other infections due to the immune depression characteristics of PRRSV infection. A sample of the SDPP used in the diets associated with the experiment reported in Table 2 was PCR positive for HEV RNA; however, no HEV seroconversion was determined in the serum samples of pigs fed the diets with this SDPP lot even though some of these pigs were immune compromised due to PRRSV challenge. Samples of SDPP used in the other experiments were not available, so it was not possible to determine if these samples contained either HEV RNA or titer. However a retrospective serological study conducted in Spain showed that endemic HEV infection in pigs had been present in the Spanish swine population since at least 1985 [17]. Therefore, it can be speculated that the commercial Spanish SDPP used in the experiments likely contained HEV titer and/or RNA. Nevertheless, it should be highlighted that the presence of viral genome analyzed by RT-PCR in SDPP does not indicate infectivity, because this technique is unable to distinguish between infectious and non-infectious virus particles [35,40]. Consequently, the potential infectiveness of SDPP cannot be established by RT-PCR results and studies like the ones reported in this document are needed to determine infectivity potential of viral genome.

Conclusions

HEV antibodies were detected in 100% of the SDPP samples collected from a Spanish manufacturing plant and 22.4% of these samples also contained HEV RNA, indicating the high prevalence of HEV in the Spanish pig population. In addition, 70 sera samples from 35 pigs from 3 to 15 weeks of age at the beginning of been fed diets containing 8% SDPP for 4 to 9 weeks did not demonstrate seroconversión to HEV. According to the conditions used in this study, the results indicated that feeding SDPP in diets for pigs does not represent a risk of transmitting HEV.

This article was originally published in Virology Journal (2014) 11:232. DOI 10.1186/s12985-014-0232-x. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

References

1. Van Dijk AJ, Everts H, Nabuurs MJA, Margry RJCF, Beynen AC: Growth performance of weanling pigs fed spray-dried animal plasma: a review. Livest Prod Sci 2001, 68:263–274.

2. Torrallardona D: Spray dried animal plasma as an alternative to antibiotics in weanling pigs- a review -. Asian Aust J Anim Sci 2010, 23:131–148.

3. Peace RM, Campbell J, Polo J, Crenshaw J, Russell L, Moeser A: Spray-dried porcine plasma influences intestinal barrier function, inflammation and diarrhea in weaned pigs. J Nutr 2011, 141:1312–1317.

4. Dalton HR, Bendall R, Ijaz S, Banks M: Hepatitis E: an emerging infection in developed countries. Lancet Infect Dis 2008, 8:698–709.

5. Pavio N, Renou C, Di Liberto G, Boutrouille A, Eloit M: Hepatitis E: a curious zoonosis. Front Biosci 2008, 13:7172–7183.

6. Masia G, Orru G, Liciardi M, Desogus G, Coppola RC, Murru V, Argiolas M: Evidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in human and pigs in Sardinia, Italy. J Prev Med Hyg 2009, 50:227–231.

7. Purcell RH, Emerson SU: Hepatitis E: an emerging awareness of an old disease. J Hepatol 2008, 48:494–503.

8. Colson P, Borentain P, Queyriaux B, Kaba M, Moal V, Gallian P: Pig liversausage as a source of hepatitis E virus transmission to humans. J Infect Dis 2010, 202:825–834.

9. Meng XJ: From barnyard to food table: the omnipresence of hepatitis E virus and risk for zoonotic infection and food safety. Virus Res 2011, 161(1):23–30.

10. Pavio N, Meng XJ, Renou C: Zoonotic hepatitis E: animal reservoirs and emerging risks. Vet Res 2010, 41:46.

11. Kaba M, Davoust B, Marie JL, Colson P: Detection of hepatitis E virus in wild boar (Sus scrofa) livers. Vet J 2010, 186(2):259–261. doi: 10.1016/j. tvjl.2009.08.008. Epub 2009 Sep 10.

12. De Deus N, Seminati C, Pina S, Mateu E, Martín M, Segalés J: Detection of hepatitis E virus in liver, mesenteric lymph node, serum, bile and faeces of naturally infected pigs affected by different pathological conditions. Vet Microbiol 2007, 119(2–4):105–114.

13. Pischke S, Potthoff A, Hauröder B, Schlué J, Manns MP, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H: Hepatitis E virus infection: a paradigm shift? Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2010, 135:1129–1133.

14. Christou L, Kosmidou M: Hepatitis E virus in the Western world—a pork-related zoonosis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014, 19:600–604.

15. Emerson SU, Arankalle VA, Purcell RH: Thermal stability of hepatitis E virus. J Infect Dis 2005, 192:930–933.

16. Berto A, Backer JA, Mesquita JR, Nascimento MSJ, Banks M, Martelli F, Ostanello F, Angeloni G, Di Bartolo I, Ruggeri FM, Vasickova P, Diez-Valcarce M, Hernandez M, Rodriguez-Lazaro D, Van der Poel WHM: Prevalence and transmission of hepatitis E virus in domestic swine populations in different European countries. BMC Res Notes 5:190. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-5-190.

17. Casas M, Pujols J, Rosell R, De Deus N, Peralta B, Pina S, Casal J, Martín M: Retrospective serological study on hepatitis E infection in pigs from 1985 to 1997 in Spain. Vet Microbiol 2009, 135:248–252.

18. Jiménez de Oya N, De Blas I, Blázquez AB, Martín-Acebes MA, Halaihel N, Gironés O, Saiz JC, Escribano-Romero E: Widespread distribution of hepatitis E virus in Spanish pig herds. BMC Res Notes 2011, 4:412.

19. Seminati C, Mateu E, Peralta B, De Deus N, Martín M: Distribution of hepatitis E virus infection and its prevalence in pigs on comercial farms in Spain. Vet J 2008, 175:130–132.

20. De Deus N, Casas M, Peralta B, Nofrarias M, Pina S, Martín M, Segalés J: Hepatitis E virus infection dynamics and organic distribution in naturally infected pigs in a farrow-to-finish farm. Vet Microbiol 2008, 132:19–28.

21. Breum SØ, Hjulsager CK, De Deus N, Segalés J, Larsen LE: Hepatitis E virus is highly prevalent in the Danish pig population. Vet Microbiol 2010, 146(1–2):144–149.

22. Borg BS, Campbell JM, Polo J, Russell LE, Rodriquez C, Rodenas J: Evaluation of the Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Spray-Dried Plasma Protein Collected from Various Locations Around the World. In Proc Amer Assoc Swine Vet. ; 2002:97–100.

23. Polo J, Opriessnig T, O’Neill KC, Rodríguez C, Russell LE, Campbell JM, Crenshaw J, Segalés J, Pujols J: Neutralizing antibodies against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in liquid pooled plasma contribute to the bio-safety of commercially manufactured spray-dried porcine plasma. J Anim Sci 2013, 91:2192–2198.

24. Nakai I, Kato K, Miyazaki A, Yoshii M, Li TC, Takeda N, Tsunemitsu H, Ikeda H: Different fecal shedding patterns of two common strains of hepatitis E virus at three Japanese swine farms. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2006, 75:1171–1177.

25. Takahashi M, Nishizawa T, Tanaka T, Tsatsralt-Od B, Inoue J, Okamoto H: Correlation between positivity for immunoglobulin A antibodies and viraemia of swine hepatitis E virus observed among farm pigs in Japan. J Gen Virol 2005, 86:1807–1813.

26. Casas M, Cortés R, Pina S, Peralta B, Allepuz A, Cortey M, Casal J, Martín M: Longitudinal study of hepatitis E virus infection in Spanish farrow-to-finish swine herds. Vet Microbiol 2011, 148:27–34.

27. Chandra V, Taneja S, Kalia M, Jameel S: Molecular biology and pathogenesis of hepatitis E virus. J Biosci 2008, 33:451–464.

28. Huang R, Li D, Wei S, Li Q, Yuan X, Geng L, Li X, Liu M: Cell culture of sporadic hepatitis E virus in China. Clin Diag Lab Immun 1999, 6:729–733.

29. Feagins AR, Opriessnig T, Guenette DK, Halbur PG, Meng XJ: Inactivation of infectious hepatitis E virus present in commercial pig livers sold in local grocery stores in the United States. Int J Food Microbiol 2008, 123:32–37.

30. Barnaud E, Rogée S, Garry P, Rose N, Pavio N: Thermal inactivation of infectious hepatitis E virus in experimentally contaminated food. Appl Environ Microbiol 2012, 78:5153–5159.

31. Polo J, Quigley JD, Russell LE, Campbell JM, Pujols J, Lukert PD: Efficacy of spray-drying to reduce infectivity of pseudo rabies and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) viruses and seroconversion in pigs fed diets containing spray-dried animal plasma. J Anim Sci 2005, 83:1933–1938.

32. Pujols J, Rosell R, Russell L, Campbell J, Crenshaw J, Weaver E, Rodríguez C, Ródenas J, Polo J: Inactivation of Swine Vesicular Disease Virus in Porcine Plasma By Spray-Drying. In Proceeding of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Orlando: FL. AASV. Perry, IA; 2007:283.

33. Gerber PF, Xiao C-T, Chen Q, Zhang J, Halbur PG, Opriessnig T: The spraydrying process is sufficient to inactivate infectious porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in plasma. Vet Microbiol 2014, 174:86-92. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.09.008

34. Pujols J, Segalés J: Survivability of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in bovine plasma submitted to spray drying processing and held at different time by temperature storage conditions. Vet Microbiol 2014, 174:427–432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.10.021.

35. Pujols J, López-Soria S, Segalés J, Fort M, Sibila M, Rosell R, Solanes D, Russell L, Campbell J, Crenshaw J, Weaver E, Polo J: Lack of transmission of porcine circovirus type 2 to weanling pigs by feeding them spray dried porcine plasma. Vet Record 2008, 163:536–538.

36. Pujols J, Lorca-Oró C, Díaz I, Russell LE, Campbell JM, Crenshaw JD, Polo J, Mateu E, Segalés J: Commercial spray-dried porcine plasma does not transmit porcine circovirus type 2 in weaned pigs challenged with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Vet J 2011, 190:e16–e20. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.02.021.

37. Shen HG, Schalk S, Halbur PG, Campbell JM, Russell LE, Opriessnig T: Commercially produced spray dried porcine plasma contains high levels of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) DNA but did not transmit PCV2 when fed to naïve pigs. J Anim Sci 2011, 89:1930–1938.

38. Cal K, Sollohub K: Spray-drying technique. I: hardware and process parameters. J Pharm Sci 2010, 99:575–586.

39. Sollohub K, Cal K: Spray-drying technique: II. Current applications in pharmaceutical technology. J Pharm Sci 2010, 99:587–597.

40. Wang J, Mauser A, Chao SF, Remington K, Treckmann R, Kaiser K, Pifat D, Hotta J: Virus inactivation and protein recovery in a novel ultraviolet-C reactor. Vox Sang 2004, 86:230–238.

41. Peralta B, Mateu E, Casas M, De Deus N, Martín M, Pina S: Genetic characterization of the complete coding regions of genotype 3 hepatitis E virus isolated from Spanish swine herds. Virus Res 2009, 139(1):111–116.