Association between habitat and prevalence of hantavirus infections in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus).
In order to determine the habitat preferred by Myodes (before Clethrionomys) glareolus and the corresponding Puumala hantavirus seroprevalence in those habitats, we captured rodents simultaneously in three significantly different habitats. We compared trapping success and presence of virus per habitat during an ongoing epidemic in order to test the hypothesis of a density-dependent seroprevalence. Our study showed that bank vole population density, as well as Puumala virus seroprevalence, were habitat dependent. Apodemus sylvaticus was found more vulnerable for deteriorating habitat conditions than M. glareolus and could play a role as vehicle for Puumala virus and as mediator for inter- and conspecific virus transmission.
Heyman
Paul
P
Research Laboratory for Vector-Borne Diseases, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium. paul.heyman@mil.be
Mele
Rita Van
RV
Smajlovic
Lejla
L
Dobly
Alexandre
A
Cochez
Christel
C
Vandenvelde
Christian
C
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003411:Arvicolinae; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000821:virology; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051189:Murinae; D011156:Population Density; D015995:Prevalence; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral