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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Field Postmortem Rabies Rapid Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test for Resource-Limited Settings with Further Molecular Applications
Published on: June 29, 2020
Rapid field test for detection of hantavirus antibodies in rodents
H Sirola1, E R Kallio, V Koistinen
1Department of Chemistry, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract:
Puumala virus (PUUV) is the causative agent of nephropathia epidemica, a mild form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. PUUV is transmitted to humans via aerosolized excreta of the infected bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). Current methods for screening of the PUUV prevalence among bank vole populations are laborious, combining sampling in the field and subsequent analyses in the laboratory. In order to facilitate animal testing, a new serological immunochromatographic rapid test was developed. The test uses PUUV nucleocapsid protein as antigen, and it detects anti-PUUV IgG antibodies in rodents. With fresh and undiluted bank-vole blood samples (n = 105) the efficacy of the test was 100%, and with frozen and diluted samples (n = 78) the efficacy was 91%. The test was also shown to detect related hantavirus infections in Norway lemmings and sibling voles (n = 31) with 99% efficacy. The test provides an applicable tool for studying PUUV and related hantavirus infections in arvicoline rodents.
Insights
A new rapid test accurately detects Puumala virus (PUUV) antibodies in bank voles. This tool aids in studying PUUV prevalence and related hantavirus infections in rodents, improving upon laborious traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Immunology
- Rodent Ecology
Background:
- Puumala virus (PUUV) causes nephropathia epidemica in humans.
- Transmission occurs from infected bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) via excreta.
- Current PUUV prevalence screening methods are time-consuming, involving field sampling and lab analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, serological immunochromatographic test for detecting anti-PUUV IgG antibodies in rodents.
- To facilitate efficient screening of PUUV prevalence in bank vole populations.
- To assess the test's efficacy with various sample types and its ability to detect related hantaviruses.
Main Methods:
- Development of an immunochromatographic rapid test utilizing PUUV nucleocapsid protein as the antigen.
- Testing the efficacy of the rapid test with fresh, undiluted bank vole blood samples (n=105).
- Evaluating the test's performance with frozen and diluted bank vole blood samples (n=78) and with blood from Norway lemmings and sibling voles (n=31).
Main Results:
- The rapid test demonstrated 100% efficacy with fresh bank vole blood samples.
- Efficacy was 91% with frozen and diluted bank vole blood samples.
- The test showed 99% efficacy in detecting related hantavirus infections in other rodent species.
Conclusions:
- The developed immunochromatographic test is a highly effective tool for detecting PUUV infections in bank voles.
- This rapid test significantly simplifies and accelerates the study of PUUV and related hantavirus epidemiology in arvicoline rodents.
- The test offers a practical solution for field and laboratory screening, improving disease surveillance capabilities.
