Epizootiology of Hantavirus infections in baltimore: Isolation of a virus from Norway rats, and characteristics of infected rat populations

James E. Childs, George W. Korch, Gregory E. Glass, James W. Leduc, Keerti V. Shah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rats trapped from 14 locations In Baltimore, Maryland, were shown to have antibody to Hantavlrvs. Antibody prevalence rates were higher In residential locations than in parks. Infected rats were obtained continuously over a six-year period from 1980-1985 at five locations, indicating the enzootic nature of this infection In urban rats In the United States. Prevalence of antibody and geometric mean titers increased with rat mass and sexual maturity, suggesting that infections in rats are acquired through age-related mechanisms. Three isolates of Hantavlma were obtained from rats. One of these isolates was shown by serotoglc tests and monoclonal antibody reactivity patterns to be similar, if not identical, to rat virus previously obtained from Philadelphia. The presence of rats in many urban settings and the high prevalence of Hantavlms infection in this species suggest that human exposure to this virus is occurring In the United States, although human disease from this exposure has not been recognized.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-68
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican journal of epidemiology
Volume126
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1987
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Disease reservolrs
  • Hemorrhagic fever, epidemic
  • Rattus norvogkus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology

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