Abstract
We report the detection of a strain of Seoul hantavirus (SEOV) in pet rats in England and Wales. The discovery followed an investigation of a case of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Wales. Hantavirus RNA was detected via real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and classic RT-PCR in pet rats belonging to the patient. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the virus to be a SEOV that is similar, but not identical, to a previously reported United Kingdom strain from wild rats.
Highlights
We report the detection of a strain of Seoul hantavirus (SEOV) in pet rats in England and Wales
Hantavirus RNA was detected via real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and classic RT-PCR in pet rats belonging to the patient
In January 2013, a male patient in north Wales suffering from acute kidney injury and clinically presenting with haemorrhagic fever and renal syndrome, tested seropositive (IgG 1:10,000) for Seoul (SEOV) and Hantaan (HTNV) hantavirus using indirect immunofluorescence (Euroimmun, Germany)
Summary
The breeder’s spouse tested strongly positive with an IgG titre of 1: 10,000 to HTNV and SEOV, strongly suggesting hantavirus infection. Retrospective investigation of his medical records showed that he had been admitted to hospital in late 2011 with an undiagnosed viral illness resulting in acute renal impairment and thrombocytopenia. The unique finding in this investigation of a strain of SEOV in pet rats, rather than wild rats, posed a challenge for infection control and involved a multi-disciplinary panel including medical/scientific experts from HPA, HPU, PHW, EH, and veterinarians from AHVLA. Interim guidance on minimising the infection to the pet rat community has been prepared [8] and will continue to be updated as the investigation progresses
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