Geographical distribution of hantaviruses in Thailand and potential human health significance of Thailand virus.
Phylogenetic investigations, sequence comparisons, and antigenic cross-reactivity studies confirmed the classification of Thailand virus (THAIV) as a distinct hantavirus species. The examination of sera from 402 rodents trapped in 19 provinces of Thailand revealed that five greater bandicoot rats (Bandicota indica) and one lesser bandicoot rat (B. savilei) from four provinces were focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) antibody-positive for THAIV. One of 260 patients from Surin province in Thailand (initially suspected of having contracted leptospirosis, but found to be negative) showed symptoms compatible with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The serum of this patient showed high titers of hantavirus-reactive IgM and IgG. FRNT investigations confirmed virus-neutralizing antibodies against THAIV. These observations suggest that THAIV or THAI-like viruses occur throughout Indochina and may represent an additional causative agent of HFRS.
Pattamadilok
Sirima
S
National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Lee
Byoung-Hee
BH
Kumperasart
Sanit
S
Yoshimatsu
Kumiko
K
Okumura
Megumi
M
Nakamura
Ichiro
I
Araki
Koichi
K
Khoprasert
Yuvaluk
Y
Dangsupa
Prayadh
P
Panlar
Pornpitak
P
Jandrig
Burkhard
B
Krüger
Detlev H
DH
Klempa
Boris
B
Jäkel
Thomas
T
Schmidt
Jonas
J
Ulrich
Rainer
R
Kariwa
Hiroaki
H
Arikawa
Jiro
J
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006476:Orthohantavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D012377:Rodentia; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral