Hantaviral antigens and antibodies in wild rodents in Portugal.
Small rodents of the species Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus have been captured between 1986 and 1988 in several areas of Southern Portugal. A total of 135 animal specimens were examined for hantaviral antigens in lung sections and 5 have been found positive. Some of the rodents were shown to have serum antibodies as detected by immunofluorescence in titres up to 1:256. This investigation proves for the first time the presence of Hantavirus in wild rodent populations of Portugal.
Filipe
A R
AR
Centre for Zoonoses Research, National Institute of Health, Aguas de Moura, Portugal.
Andrade
H R
HR
Sommer
A I
AI
Traavik
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006476:Orthohantavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology; D009115:Muridae / Q000382:microbiology*; D011174:Portugal; D051381:Rats
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral