Author/Editor		Escutenaire, S; Chalon, P; Verhagen, R; Heyman, P; Thomas, I; Karelle-Bui, L; Avšič-Županc, T; Lundkvist, A; Plyusnin, A; Pastoret, PP
Title		Spatial and temporal dynamics of Puumala hantavirus infection in red bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) populations in Belgium
Type		članek
Source		Virus Res
Vol. and No.		Letnik 67, št. 1
Publication year		2000
Volume		str. 91-107
Language		eng
Abstract		Dynamics of hantavirus infection and population densities in rodents were investigated from 1996 to 1999 in southern Belgium. Evidence of Puumala infection was restricted to Clethrionomys glareolus. Although the serotype was not determined, antibodies against hantavirus were also found in eight Apodemus sylvaticus. In fall 1996, the seroprevalence in C. glareolus was high (20.1%, 37 of 184) and the infection was widely distributed in the area studied whereas a focal occurrence of positive rodents and lower seroprevalence rates were recorded in spring 1997 (14.3%, six of 42), fall 1997 (6.6%, 11 of 166), spring 1998 (6.4%, three of 47) and fall 1998 (6.7%, 11 of 165). A pullulation of rodents was observed in spring 1999 and was associated with a markedly higher seroprevalence in C. glareolus (47.7%, 189 of 396). In all seasons, infection rates in adults were higher than in juveniles and subadults. No significant difference of prevalence was recorder between males and females. In two trapping sites, the temporary disappearance of positive animals after a crach in rodent populations suggests that a threshold in density is necessary for the maintenance of the enzootic cycle.
Descriptors		HANTAVIRUS INFECTIONS MICROTINAE MURIDAE ANTIBODIES, VIRAL PREVALENCE HANTAVIRUS BELGIUM ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION ANTIGENS, VIRAL IGG