Serological Study on Hantavirus Infection of Wild Rodents Captured in the Mountains of Kangwon Province in Korea

Baek, L J; Song, K J; Song, J W; Chung, K M; Kho, E Y; Park, K S; Lee, Y J

Abstract

Hantaan virus are widely distributed in rodents populations in Korea. Two antigenically distinct hantaviruses have been isolated from Apodemus agrarius in 1976 and Rattus norvegicus in 1980 in Korea. This study was designed to find the serological evidence of hantavirus infection among indigenous wild rodents captured in 7 Mountains located in Kangwon province of south Korea. A total 191 wild rodents of 3 species were trapped in Chumbong mountain, Kali mountain, Hansuk mountain, Chachil peak, Bukam ridge, Kyebang mountain and Odae mountain in 1997 Serologic evidence for hantavirus infection were tested using hantavirus antigens by indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFA). Among 85 Apodemus agrarius, 77 Apodemus peninsulae and 29 Eothenomys regulus; 8 A. agrarius (9.4%), 11 A. Peninsulae (14.3%) and 4 E. regulus(13.8%) were immunofluorescent antibody positive against hantaan virus. If antibody titers against Puumala virus of 3 E. regulus sera were higher than against hantaan virus. This data suggest that several antigenically distinct hantaviruses have been circulated in rodent populations in Korea.