Ex Vivo Stability of the Rodent-Borne Hantaan Virus in Comparison to That of Arthropod-Borne Members of the Bunyaviridae Family

Abstract

The possible effect of virus adaptation to different transmission routes on virus stability in the environment is not well known. In this study we have compared the stabilities of three viruses within the Bunyaviridae family: the rodent-borne Hantavirus Hantaan virus (HTNV), the sand fly-borne Phlebovirus sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), and the tick-borne Nairovirus Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). These viruses differ in their transmission routes: SFSV and CCHFV are vector borne, whereas HTNV is spread directly between its hosts, and to humans, via the environment. We studied whether these viruses differed regarding stability when kept outside of the host. Viral survival was analyzed at different time points upon exposure to different temperatures (4°C, 20°C, and 37°C) and drying at 20°C. We observed clearly different stabilities under wet conditions, particularly at 4°C, where infectious SFSV, HTNV, and CCHFV were detectable after 528, 96, and 15 days, respectively. All three viruses were equally sensitive to drying, as shown by drying on aluminum discs. Furthermore, HTNV and SFSV partially survived for 2 min in 30% ethanol, whereas CCHFV did not. Electron microscopy images of HTNV, SSFSV, and CCHFV stored at 37°C until infectivity was lost still showed the occurrence of virions, but with abnormal shapes and densities compared to those of the nonincubated samples. In conclusion, our study points out important differences in ex vivo stability among viruses within the Bunyaviridae family.

Puumala Hantavirus Excretion Kinetics in Bank Voles (Myodes glareolus)

“…PUUV stability outside the host likely plays a role in transmission to other rodents and in the number of human cases (20). Hantaviruses have been shown to be stable ex vivo, and Hantaan hantavirus can infect cell culture after being stored for as long as 96 days in medium at 4°C (21). Furthermore, PUUV is infectious for bank voles for up to 12-15 days in contaminated cage bedding (6).…”

“…Animals were sampled for saliva, urine, and feces on days 0, 1, 2, 3,4,8,9,11,14,16,21,28,35,42,49,56,63,70,77,84,91, and 133 PI. Serum samples were obtained on day 21 and at the termination of the experiment (day 133 PI).…”

A Five-Member Family With Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever; A Case Series Study

“…It is endemic in many countries around the world; in Asia, Africa, Middle East, and East European countries (1,2). During the last 15 years, a large number of human CCHF virus infection have been reported from many parts of Iran specially from the Southeastern parts (1,7,8). About 67 to 75% of cases in Iran have been reported from Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the Southeastern Iran (5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…The virus is stable under wet conditions for 7 hours at 37 °C, 11 days at 20 °C, and 15 days at 4 °C. Under dry conditions, the virus is stable for at least 90 minutes, but less than 24 hours (8). The onset of CCHF is sudden, with initial signs and symptoms including high fever, headache, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, and vomiting.…”

Effects of Humidity Variation on the Hantavirus Infection and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome Occurrence in Subtropical China

“…A temperate, subtropical rainy climate in these cities provides a moist environment for rodents, which is also conducive to the stability and infectivity of HV. 19 Because subtropical doubleharvest rice is the main crop, and most farmers reside less than 50 m from their fields, traditional farming methods provide an opportunity for wild rodent propagation, offering suitable living conditions and sufficient food resources to increase transmission of HFRS between rodents and from rodents to humans. To prevent and control HFRS, Ningxiang, Yanling, Shuangfeng, and Shaodong counties were chosen as surveillance sites to monitor HFRS host animals.…”