Hantavirus-specific antibodies in rodents and humans living in Kuwait

Hantaviruses are found in widely scattered areas of the world and are transmitted by inhalation of virus-contaminated aerosols of rodent excreta. The present study was undertaken in Kuwait to investigate the serological evidence for hantavirus infection in rodents and humans. Sera were collected from 283 wild rodents and 183 human subjects (46 Kuwaitis and 137 non-Kuwaitis). The rodent sera were investigated for the presence of antibodies against the Seoul and Puumala strains of the hantaviruses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence technique using the virus-infected Vero E6 cells. The findings showed the presence of anti-hantavirus antibodies in seven out of the 283 (2.8%) rodents. Antibodies against the Seoul strain were present in six (2.1%) and against the Puumala strain in three (1%) rodents. Further, it was observed that three out of 84 (3.6%) of the Rattus norvegicus and four out of 174 (2.3%) Mus musculus had anti-hantavirus antibodies. Two rodents belonging to species Mus musculus had antibodies against both strains of the hantaviruses. Out of 183 human sera, 13 (7%) were positive for hantavirus antibodies. Among the Kuwaitis 5/46 (11%) and among the non-Kuwaitis 8/137 (6%) were positive for the hantavirus antibodies. Antibodies to both Puumala and Hantaan strains were detected in Kuwaitis as well as in non-Kuwaitis. Although no human case of hantavirus illness has yet been reported in Kuwait, the serological evidence of infection suggests a constant vigil.