RESUMO
Oligoryzomys longicaudatus is the main reservoir of Andes virus (AND), which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Patagonia. The factors associated with the presence of antibodies against AND in this species are unknown. This study used a logistic regression model to analyze which characteristics of O. longicaudatus, captured in northern Argentinean Patagonia, led to an increased probability of an animal having antibodies against AND and to relate these characteristics to possible mechanisms of transmission of the virus within the population. Sex, age, body mass, and wounds were important predictors regarding the presence of antibodies against AND within O. longicaudatus populations. The probability of a wounded male O. longicaudatus adult having AND antibodies increased in parallel with the body mass. The probability of having antibodies was more than 80% in individuals with body masses above 44 gram. However, the possible transmission mechanism of AND within O. longicaudatus population is still uncertain and further studies involving a larger number of individuals and prolonged monitoring including the process of seroconversion are needed.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Reservatórios de Doenças/veterinária , Infecções por Hantavirus/veterinária , Orthohantavírus/imunologia , Doenças dos Roedores/virologia , Sigmodontinae/virologia , Animais , Argentina , Índice de Massa Corporal , Reservatórios de Doenças/virologia , Feminino , Infecções por Hantavirus/imunologia , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Doenças dos Roedores/imunologia , Estações do Ano , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
Oligoryzomys longicaudatus is the main reservoir of Andes virus (AND), which causes hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Patagonia. The factors associated with the presence of antibodies against AND in this species are unknown. This study used a logistic regression model to analyze which characteristics of O. longicaudatus, captured in northern Argentinean Patagonia, led to an increased probability of an animal having antibodies against AND and to relate these characteristics to possible mechanisms of transmission of the virus within the population. Sex, age, body mass, and wounds were important predictors regarding the presence of antibodies against AND within O. longicaudatus populations. The probability of a wounded male O. longicaudatus adult having AND antibodies increased in parallel with the body mass. The probability of having antibodies was more than 80% in individuals with body masses above 44 gram. However, the possible transmission mechanism of AND within O. longicaudatus population is still uncertain and further studies involving a larger number of individuals and prolonged monitoring including the process of seroconversion are needed.
Oligoryzomys longicaudatus es el principal reservorio del virus Andes Sur (AND) causante del síndrome pulmonar por hantavirus en la Patagonia. Aún se desconoce qué características individuales están asociadas a una mayor presencia de anticuerpos contra AND en esta especie. En este estudio, mediante un modelo de regresión logística evaluamos qué características de O. longicaudatus, capturados en la Patagonia norte de Argentina, incrementan la probabilidad de un individuo de presentar anticuerpos contra AND para relacionarlos con posibles mecanismos de transmisión del virus dentro de la población. El sexo, la edad, la masa corporal y las heridas resultaron factores importantes para la circulación y persistencia del virus dentro de la población de O. longicaudatus. La probabilidad de que un O. longicaudatus, macho, adulto con heridas presente anticuerpos contra AND aumentó con el incremento de la masa corporal, siendo esta probabilidad mayor al 80% en individuos con masas corporales mayores a 44 g. Sin embargo, el posible mecanismo de transmisión de AND dentro de la población de O. longicaudatus queda aún incierto, por lo que son necesarios estudios futuros que involucren un mayor número de individuos y un tiempo prolongado de seguimiento en su proceso de seroconversión.
Assuntos
Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Reservatórios de Doenças/veterinária , Infecções por Hantavirus/veterinária , Orthohantavírus/imunologia , Doenças dos Roedores/virologia , Sigmodontinae/virologia , Argentina , Índice de Massa Corporal , Reservatórios de Doenças/virologia , Infecções por Hantavirus/imunologia , Modelos Logísticos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Doenças dos Roedores/imunologia , Estações do Ano , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
Modifications of natural habitat in peridomestic rural areas could affect original rodent community composition, diversity, and evenness. In zoonoses such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, the presence of a diverse community can dilute the impact of the principal reservoir, reducing risk to humans. The goal of this study was to examine rodent community composition, abundance of Andes virus (ANDV) host (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), ANDV prevalence, and temporal variability associated with rural peridomestic settings in Patagonia, Argentina. We trapped rodents in peridomestic settings and nearby sylvan areas for 2 years. The numerically dominant species differed between peridomestic and sylvan settings. O. longicaudatus was the most abundant species in peridomestic settings (>50% of individuals). Diversity and evenness in peridomestic settings fluctuated temporally, with an abrupt decline in evenness coinciding with peaks in ANDV prevalence. The probability of finding an ANDV-positive mouse in peridomestic settings was 2.44 times greater than in sylvan habitats. Changes in rodent communities in peridomestic settings may increase the probability for human exposure to ANDV because those settings promote the presence of O. longicaudatus with high ANDV antibody prevalence. High O. longicaudatus relative abundance in an unstable community associated with peridomestic settings may favor intraspecific contact, leading to a higher probability of virus transmission.