Experimental infections of Oryzomys couesi with sympatric arboviruses from Mexico

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010 Feb;82(2):350-3. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0024.

Abstract

Coues rice rat (Oryzomys couesi), a species abundant throughout Central America, was evaluated experimentally for the ability to serve as an amplifying host for three arboviruses: Patois (Bunyaviridae, Orthobunyavirus), Nepuyo (Orthobunyavirus), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus subtype ID (Togaviridae, Alphavirus). These three viruses have similar ecologies and are known to co-circulate in nature. Animals from all three cohorts survived infection and developed viremia with no apparent signs of illness and long-lasting antibodies. Thus, O. couesi may play a role in the general maintenance of these viruses in nature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Arbovirus Infections / immunology
  • Arbovirus Infections / virology*
  • Arboviruses / pathogenicity*
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Mexiko
  • Sigmodontinae*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral