Epidemiologic Linkage of Rodent and Human Hantavirus Genomic Sequences in Case Investigations of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Abstract

Sin Nombre virus (SNV) causes the zoonotic disease hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Its mechanisms of transmission from rodent to human are poorly understood. It is possible that specific genetic signature sequences could be used to determine the probable site of each case-patient's exposure. Environmental assessments suggested 12 possible sites of rodent exposure for 6 HPS patients. Rodents were captured at 11 of the 12 sites and screened for SNV infection within 2 weeks of the patient's diagnosis. Viral sequences amplified from tissues of rodents at each site were compared with those from case-patients' tissues. Rodents bearing viruses with genetic sequence identity to case-patients' viruses across 2 genomic segments were identified in 4 investigations but never at >1 site. Indoor exposures to rodents were especially common at implicated sites. By distinguishing among multiple possible sites of exposure, viral genotyping studies can enhance understanding of the conditions associated with infection by SNV.

Ecology, Genetic Diversity, and Phylogeographic Structure of Andes Virus in Humans and Rodents in Chile

“…4). Given that patients with HCPS often have multiple potential sites of exposure, our study also demonstrates the utility of sequencing ANDV Sout to identify the geographic origin of human cases for surveillance purposes (22).…”

Outbreak of Hantavirus Infection in the Four Corners Region of the United States in the Wake of the 1997–1998 El Niño–Southern Oscillation

“…Three patients also had exposure to automobiles with visible rodent infestation. A previous study suggested that inhalation of recirculated air in an automobile could result in infection [16]. We noted that the overwhelming majority of case patients for whom ex- posure data could be obtained were exposed in indoor environments.…”

“…We noted that the overwhelming majority of case patients for whom ex- posure data could be obtained were exposed in indoor environments. In rare cases, plausible exposures that occurred !4 days before the onset of illness were excluded, because the incubation period for HCPS appears to be у8 days [16] (B.H., unpublished data).…”

Experimental infection model for Sin Nombre hantavirus in the deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus )

“…We used primers for the small (S) genomic segment of SNV. We first used single tube RT reactions and PCRs with outer primers, then conducted nesting reactions with internal primers as described (3,17,23). The coordinates of the outer primers were at 167 and 423 on the S segment of the NMR11 strain (GenBank accession no.…”