Geographical distribution of rodent-associated hantaviruses in Texas

Stacy J. Mantooth, Mary L. Milazzo, Robert D. Bradley, Christine L. Hice, Gerardo Ceballos, Robert B. Tesh, Charles F. Fulhorst

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to increase our knowledge of the geographic distribution and natural host range of hantaviruses in Texas, southeastern New Mexico, and Mexico. Blood samples from 3,225 wild rodents, representing 34 species, were tested for hantavirus antibody (IgG), using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hantavirus antibody was found in one or more rodents from each of 13 counties in Texas, Otero County in southeastern New Mexico, and Mexico State (central Mexico). The 133 antibody-positive rodents included seven Peromyscus species (P. attwateri, P. boylii, P. hylocetes, P. leucopus, P. maniculatis, P. melanotis, and P. pectoralis), Sigmodon hispidus, Oryzomys palustris, two Reithrodontomys species (R. fulvescens and R. megalotis), Neotoma albigula, and Perognathus merriami. This study provides further evidence that rodent-associated hantaviruses are geographically widely distributed in Texas. The discovery of antibody in P. hylocetes and P. melanotis is evidence that peromyscine rodents in Mexico are naturally associated with viruses belonging to the genus Hantavirus.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7-14
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Vector Ecology
Volume26
Issue number1
StatePublished - Jun 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Hantavirus
  • Mexico
  • Peromyscus
  • Texas

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Ecology

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