High prevalence of Seoul hantavirus in a breeding colony of pet rats

Abstract

SUMMARYAs part of further investigations into three linked haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) cases in Wales and England, 21 rats from a breeding colony in Cherwell, and three rats from a household in Cheltenham were screened for hantavirus. Hantavirus RNA was detected in either the lungs and/or kidney of 17/21 (81%) of the Cherwell rats tested, higher than previously detected by blood testing alone (7/21, 33%), and in the kidneys of all three Cheltenham rats. The partial L gene sequences obtained from 10 of the Cherwell rats and the three Cheltenham rats were identical to each other and the previously reported UK Cherwell strain. Seoul hantavirus (SEOV) RNA was detected in the heart, kidney, lung, salivary gland and spleen (but not in the liver) of an individual rat from the Cherwell colony suspected of being the source of SEOV. Serum from 20/20 of the Cherwell rats and two associated HFRS cases had high levels of SEOV-specific antibodies (by virus neutralisation). The high prevalence of SEOV in both sites and the moderately severe disease in the pet rat owners suggest that SEOV in pet rats poses a greater public health risk than previously considered.

Genetic analyses of Seoul hantavirus genome recovered from rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the Netherlands unveils diverse routes of spread into Europe

“…Later on, two nonlaboratory human infections have also been reported in Europe: a farmer in UK and a pregnant woman in France . Recently, an outbreak of HFRS caused by SEOV among rat owners, breeders, and distributors of the pet animal market was reported in UK . Most cases were occupational exposure related and confirmed by specific anti‐SEOV IgG detection.…”

“…47,48 Recently, an outbreak of HFRS caused by SEOV among rat owners, breeders, and distributors of the pet animal market was reported in UK. 12,21,49 Most cases were occupational exposure related and confirmed by specific anti-SEOV IgG detection. In addition, acute human SEOV infections in France have been reported by detecting SEOV-specific IgM and viral RNA (from lineages #7 and #9).…”

“…It is thought that SEOV originated in China, and was subsequently exported to Europe and later spread through the New World following human migrations and sea‐trade . In Europe, SEOV has been found in wild rats in the UK, France, and Belgium, and in pet rats in France, Sweden, and UK . SEOV is causing HFRS, which is generally somewhat milder than the disease caused by HTNV, but more severe than Puumala virus (PUUV) infection .…”

“…6 In Europe, SEOV has been found in wild rats in the UK, 7 France, 8,9 and Belgium, 10 and in pet rats in France, Sweden, and UK. [11][12][13] SEOV is causing HFRS, which is generally somewhat milder than the disease caused by HTNV, but more severe than Puumala virus (PUUV) infection. 14 SEOV infections are also found associated with hepatitis.…”

Viral Disease

“…The seroprevalence of Seoul virus in laboratory rats is low (0%e0.07%) (Liang et al, 2009;McInnes et al, 2011;Pritchett-Corning et al, 2009;Schoondermark-van de Ven et al, 2006). Several reports of Seoul virus infection of pet rats have been reported (Duggan et al, 2017;Fill et al, 2017;Jameson et al, 2013aJameson et al, , 2013bMcElhinney et al, 2016McElhinney et al, , 2017. Seoul virus is found worldwide and its prevalence in wild rat populations is high (12% e58%) (Cueto et al, 2008;Dupinay et al, 2014;Easterbrook et al, 2007b).…”