Serological evidence of viruses naturally associated with the montane water vole (Arvicola scherman) in eastern France.
We surveyed 12 populations of the montane water vole (Arvicola scherman), previously known as the fossorial form of the water vole A. terrestris, in eastern France for antibodies (immunoglobulin G) to Puumala virus (PUUV), lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), and cowpox virus (CPXV). Antibodies to PUUV were found in 9 (5.5%) of 164 voles from 7 populations, antibodies to LCMV were found in 13 (26.0%) of 50 voles from 2 populations, and antibodies to CPXV were found in 66 (41.8%) of 158 voles from 7 populations. Antibody status to CPXV was statistically associated with the phase of the A. scherman population density cycle and the percentage of grassland areas surrounding the sampling sites.
Charbonnel
Nathalie
N
Centre de Biologie et de Gestion des Populations, INRA EFPA, Campus International de Baillarguet, Montferrier s/Lez Cedex, France. nathalie.charbonnel@supagro.inra.fr
Deter
Julie
J
Chaval
Yannick
Y
Laakkonen
Juha
J
Henttonen
Heikki
H
Voutilainen
Liina
L
Vapalahti
Olli
O
Vaheri
Antti
A
Morand
Serge
S
Cosson
Jean-François
JF