Mammarenaviruses of Rodents, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Antoinette A Grobbelaar,Janusz T Paweska,Alasdair J Shepherd,Jacqueline Weyer,Alan Kemp,Patricia A Leman,Susan P Shepherd,Felicity J Burt,Lawrence E.O Braack,Robert Swanepoel,Jocelyn Jardine

doi:10.3201/eid2712.211088

Antoinette A Grobbelaar, Janusz T Paweska + Show 9 more

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https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2712.211088

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Abstract

We conducted a survey for group-specific indirect immunofluorescence antibody to mammarenaviruses by using Lassa fever and Mopeia virus antigens on serum specimens of 5,363 rodents of 33 species collected in South Africa and Zimbabwe during 1964–1994. Rodents were collected for unrelated purposes or for this study and stored at −70°C. We found antibody to be widely distributed in the 2 countries; antibody was detected in serum specimens of 1.2%–31.8% of 14 species of myomorph rodents, whereas 19 mammarenavirus isolates were obtained from serum specimens and viscera of 4 seropositive species. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of partial nucleoprotein sequences indicates that 14 isolates from Mastomys natalensis, the Natal multimammate mouse, were Mopeia virus, whereas Merino Walk virus was characterized as a novel virus in a separate study. The remaining 4 isolates from 3 rodent species potentially constitute novel viruses pending full characterization.

Highlights

Lassa fever and Mopeia virus antigens on serum specimens of 5,363 rodents of 33 species collected in South Africa and Zimbabwe during 1964–1994
At NICD from M. natalensis rodents collected in a village in Mozambique during an arbovirus study in 1972; within months, the same rodent species was identified as the host of Lassa virus (LASV) in West Africa
Work ceased on Mopeia virus at NICD and the isolates were transferred to CDC, where the relationship to LASV was confirmed [9]

Summary

Introduction

Lassa fever and Mopeia virus antigens on serum specimens of 5,363 rodents of 33 species collected in South Africa and Zimbabwe during 1964–1994. Rodents were collected for unrelated purposes or for this study and stored at −70°C. We found antibody to be widely distributed in the 2 countries; antibody was detected in serum specimens of 1.2%–31.8% of 14 species of myomorph rodents, whereas 19 mammarenavirus isolates were obtained from serum specimens and viscera of 4 seropositive species. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of partial nucleoprotein sequences indicates that 14 isolates from Mastomys natalensis, the Natal multimammate mouse, were Mopeia virus, whereas Merino Walk virus was characterized as a novel virus in a separate study. The remaining 4 isolates from 3 rodent species potentially constitute novel viruses pending full characterization. I n response to the emergence of Lassa fever, Marburg virus, and Ebola virus in Africa, a Biosafety We present the results of a survey of 5,363 rodents for evidence of infection with mammarenaviruses and details of the isolation

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Conclusion