Human-rodent contact and infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Seoul viruses in an inner-city population

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1991 Feb;44(2):117-21. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1991.44.117.

Abstract

We collected 1180 sera and 1363 questionnaires with information on demography, rodent exposure, and history of travel from persons visiting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Baltimore between 1986-1988. Serological tests for two rodent-borne viruses detected antibodies to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in 54 individuals (4.7%; n = 1149) and antibodies to Seoul virus (SEOV) in three persons (0.25%; n = 1180). Antibody prevalence to LCMV increased with age, but there were no racial or sexual differences. Neutralization tests and questionnaire responses implicated a domestic, rat-borne hantavirus as the source of SEOV antibody. Self-reported human-rodent contact indicated more exposure to house mice than rats within residences, although rats were more commonly sighted on streets. Infections with rodent-borne viruses were rare compared to the high rates of reported contact.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Baltimore / epidemiology
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome / transmission
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / epidemiology*
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / transmission
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Muridae*
  • Orthohantavirus / immunology*
  • Prevalence
  • Racial Groups
  • Rats
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral