Epidemiological study of hepatitis E virus infection of dogs and cats in Japan.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Mochizuki, M.; Ouchi, A.; Kawakami, K.; Ishida, T.; Li, T-C.; Takeda, N.; Ikeda, H.; Tsunemitsu, H.
- Source
- Veterinary Record: Journal of the British Veterinary Association. 12/16/2006, Vol. 159 Issue 25, p853-854. 2p. 2 Charts.
- Subject
- *HEPATITIS E
*DOG diseases
*CAT diseases
*VETERINARY virology
*VETERINARY medicine
- Language
- ISSN
- 0042-4900
The article describes the examination of blood samples and rectal swabs from dogs and cats for evidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. Samples were collected from animals at animal hospitals over a five-year period from 2000 to 2004. The article suggests that natural HEV infections in both dogs and cats appear to be rare and that these animal species may be accidental hosts for human beings.