title: Evidence of human infection with a rat-associated Hantavirus in Baltimore, Maryland.
abstract: Human sera obtained from two sources in Baltimore were tested for antibodies against a Hantavirus by a variety of techniques. Four persons out of 1,788 had hantaviral antibody as demonstrated by immunofluorescent assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and neutralizing assay. Neutralizing antibody titrations against three test viruses indicated that infections were caused by a rat-associated virus. Medical histories of two subjects indicated life-long residence in Baltimore and an absence of foreign travel, implicating a local source of infection.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002042:Bunyamwera virus / Q000276:immunology*; D002043:Bunyaviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D002044:Bunyaviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral