Effectiveness Regarding Hantavirus Detection in Rodent Tissue Samples and Urine

Abstract

The natural hosts of Orthohantaviruses are rodents, soricomorphs and bats, and it is well known that they may cause serious or even fatal diseases among humans worldwide. The virus is persistent among animals and it is shed via urine, saliva and feces throughout the entirety of their lives. We aim to identify the effectiveness of hantavirus detection in rodent tissue samples and urine originating from naturally infected rodents. Initially, animals were trapped at five distinct locations throughout the Transdanubian region in Hungary. Lung, liver, kidney and urine samples were obtained from 163 deceased animals. All organs and urine were tested using nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). Furthermore, sera were examined for IgG antibodies against Dobrava–Belgrade virus (DOBV) and Puumala virus (PUUV) by Western blot assay. IgG antibodies against hantaviruses and/or nucleic acid were detected in 25 (15.3%) cases. Among Apodemus, Myodes, and Microtus rodent species, DOBV, PUUV and Tula virus (TULV) were clearly identified. Amid the PCR-positive samples, the nucleic acid of the viruses was detected most effectively in the kidney (100%), while only 55% of screened lung tissues were positive. Interestingly, only three out of 20 rodent urine samples were positive when tested using nRT-PCR. Moreover, five rodents were seropositive without detectable virus nucleic acid in any of the tested organs.

Detection and Genetic Characterization of Seoul Virus in Liver Tissue Samples From Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi in Urban Areas of Southern China

“…The main transmission routes of hantaviruses are usually direct contact with rodents or inhalation of contaminated aerosols from excretions or secretions of infected animals ( 16 ). Most of the studies to date have reported hantaviruses in lung and kidney samples from rodents ( 17 , 18 ), with only a few studies focusing on hantaviruses in other organs, such as the liver ( 1 , 19 ). A recent study reported the detection of Dobrava–Belgrade virus, Puumala virus, and Tula virus in liver tissue samples from Apodemus, Myodes , and Microtus rodent species in Hungary ( 19 ).…”

“…Most of the studies to date have reported hantaviruses in lung and kidney samples from rodents ( 17 , 18 ), with only a few studies focusing on hantaviruses in other organs, such as the liver ( 1 , 19 ). A recent study reported the detection of Dobrava–Belgrade virus, Puumala virus, and Tula virus in liver tissue samples from Apodemus, Myodes , and Microtus rodent species in Hungary ( 19 ). SEOV has been detected in liver tissue samples from feeder rats in the Netherlands and from wild R. norvegicus in New York ( 1 , 20 ).…”

Identification of novel orthonairoviruses from rodents and shrews in Gabon, Central Africa

“…After dissection, the harvested organ specimens were preserved at −80 °C until further analysis. Tissue RNA was extracted from the homogenate of the kidney, the organ where mammarenaviruses, orthohantaviruses and orthonairoviruses are highly prevalent, as described in previous viral surveillance studies [17, 19–21]. Briefly, kidney tissue was shredded with scissors and homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).…”

Evidence of orthohantavirus and leptospira infections in small mammals in an endemic area of Gampaha district in Sri Lanka

“…However, the life-long persistence of hantaviruses in tissues and excreta is unclear due to the varying results obtained from previous studies on hantavirus pathogenesis and virus shedding in experimentally infected natural hosts with Hantaan, Puumala or Seoul orthohantavirus strains [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”