[Detection of hantavirus antigen in rodents in the Czech Republic]

The work is based on the hitherto implemented examinations of lungs of rodents from the territory of the Czech Republic for the presence of hantavirus antigen. For detection of a species specific antigen the ELISA set Hantagnost from the Poliomyelitis Institute in Moscow was used. A total of 1494 micromammalia of 15 species caught in 1991-2001 were examined. The hantavirus antigen was detected in the lungs of 101 individuals (6.8%) whereby representatives of the species Microtus arvalis predominated markedly: 97 positive from 687 examined (14.1%). Twice the hantavirus antigen was proved in Microtus subterraneus and once each in Apodemus sylvaticus and Clethrionomys glareolus. From hitherto assembled findings ensures that most probably genotype Tula was involved. The authors observed a direct correlation of positivity on the increase of volves and the season of their catching with maxima in the spring and autumn months. No correlation with the sex of the host was found.