A. Plenge-Bönig

TL;DR: A nested broad-spectrum RT-PCR protocol was developed capable of detecting different HEV types including those derived from wild boar and chicken and its suitability to serve in a laboratory rat animal model for human hepatitis E is assessed.

TL;DR: The complete nucleotide sequence of a hepatitis E–like virus from 2 Norway rats in Germany suggests a separate genotype for this hepatotropic virus.

TL;DR: The present data indicated a continuing existence of this virus in the rat populations from Berlin and Hamburg, and the recombinant ratHEV antigen generated here will allow future seroepidemiological studies to differentiateRatHEV and genotype 3 infections in humans and animals.

TL;DR: Zoonotic agents and genetically based resistance conferred by the Tyr139Cys polymorphism are both unevenly distributed in Lower Saxony and provide the basis for further studies focusing on districts with high levels of pathogens and resistance to assess the potential health risk of their combined occurrence.

TL;DR: Norway and black rats seem not to be predominantly involved in the life cycle of the other examined arthropod-borne pathogens in Europe, which should raise awareness of pathogenic Bartonella spp.