Rodents as Sentinels for the Prevalence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus

0361426 - BC 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Achazi, K. - Růžek, Daniel - Donoso-Mantke, O. - Schlegel, M. - Ali, H. S. - Wenk, M. - Schmidt-Chanasit, J. - Ohlmeyer, L. - Ruhe, F. - Vor, T. - Kiffner, Ch. - Kallies, R. - Ulrich, R. G. - Niedrig, M.
Rodents as Sentinels for the Prevalence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus.
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. Roč. 11, č. 6 (2011), 641-647. ISSN 1530-3667. E-ISSN 1557-7759
R&D Projects: GA ČR GPP302/10/P438; GA MŠMT(CZ) LC06009
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60220518
Keywords : Distribution * Monitoring * Rodents * Tick-borne encephalitis * Zoonosis
Subject RIV: EE - Microbiology, Virology
Impact factor: 2.437, year: 2011

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes one of the most important flavivirus infections of the central nervous system, affecting humans in Europe and Asia. To test the suitability of rodents as a surrogate marker for virus spread, laboratory-bred Microtus arvalis voles were experimentally infected with TBEV and analyzed over a period of 100 days by real-time (RT)-quantitative PCR. Further, the prevalence of TBEV in rodents trapped in Brandenburg (Germany) was determined. In experimentally infected M. arvalis voles, TBEV was detectable in different organs for at least 3 months and in blood for 1 month. 10% of all rodents investigated were positive for TBEV. TBEV was detected in 6 rodent species: Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, Microtus agrestis, Microtus arvalis, and Myodes glareolus. M. glareolus showed a high infection rate in all areas investigated. These voles developed a persistent TBE infection without clinical symptoms.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0198738