J Korean Soc Virol.  1999 Mar;29(1):1-9.

Seroepidemiological Study on Hantavirus Infection of Wild Fodents Captured in the Moutainous Areas of Korea

• Baek LJ
• Kim KS
• Song KJ
• Go EY
• Jung KM
• Park KS
• Lee YJ
• Song JW

Abstract

Hantaan virus is widely distributed among rodent populations in Korea. Two antigenically distinct hantaviruses were isolated from Apodemus agrarius in 1976 and Rattus norvegicus in 1980 in Korea. This study was designed to investigate the serological evidence of hantavirus infection among indegenous wild rodents, which were captured in 11 mountains located in Kyunggi, Kangwon, Chungnan, Chunbug and Kyungnam province of South Korea. A total 252 wild rodents of 3 species were trapped from Myungsung Mt., Chumbong Mt., Kali Mt., Hansuk Mt., Chachil peak, Kyebang Mt., Odae Mt., Kyerong Mt., Kaya Mt., Togju Mt. and Chiri Mt. in 1997. Serologic test for hantavirus infection was performed using hantavirus antigens by indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique. Among 122 Apodemus agrarius, 88 Apodemus peninsulae and 42 Eothenomys regulus; 18 A. agrarius (14.8%), 12 A. peninsulae (13.6%) and 4 E. regulus (9.5%) were immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) positive against hantaan virus. IFA titers 3 Eothenomys regulus sera were higher against puumalavirus than hantaan virus. These data imply that above three species of rodent might be natural reservoirs of hantaviruses in Korea.

Keyword

Hantavirus; Apodemus agrarius; Apodemus peninsulae; Eothenomys regulus

MeSH Terms

Animals
Gangwon-do
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeongsangnam-do
Hantaan virus
Hantavirus Infections*
Hantavirus*
Korea*
Murinae
Rats
Rodentia
Seroepidemiologic Studies*
Serologic Tests