title: Spatial and temporal dynamics of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in wild rodents, northern Italy.
abstract: We determined the prevalence of infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) among small mammals in northern Italy and analyzed long-term dynamics of LCMV in a rodent population in the province of Trento. LCMV is circulating among the most widespread and common wild rodent species in this area (Apodemus flavicollis, Myodes glareolus, and Microtus arvalis); overall prevalence is 6.8%. During 2000-2006, intensive monitoring of LCMV in a population of yellow-necked mice (A. flavicollis) showed a positive correlation between prevalence of infection and rodent density. At the individual level, weight and sex appeared to correlate with antibody prevalence, which suggests that horizontal transmission of LCMV occurs principally among heavier, older males and occurs during fighting. Isolation and genetic characterization of this virus will be the crucial next steps for a better understanding of its ecology.
authors.affiliation: Edmund Mach Foundation-Istituto Agrario di San Michele all'Adige, San Michele all'Adige, Italy. tagliapietra@cealp.it
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tagliapietra
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosà
authors.forename: Heidi C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hauffe
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laakkonen
authors.forename: Liina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Voutilainen
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vapalahti
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaheri
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Henttonen
authors.forename: Annapaola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzoli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000821:virology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001117:Arenaviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D007558:Italy; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice / Q000821:virology; D011156:Population Density; D012377:Rodentia / Q000821:virology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral