Puumala hantavirus excretion kinetics in bank voles (Myodes glareolus)
Jonas Hardestam1, Malin Karlsson, Kerstin I Falk
1Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, Solna, Sweden. jonas.hardestam@smi.ki.se
Abstract:
Puumala hantavirus is present in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and is believed to be spread mainly by contaminated excretions. In this study, we subcutaneously inoculated 10 bank voles with Puumala virus and sampled excretions until day 133 postinfection. Levels of shed viral RNA peaked within 11-28, 14-21, and 11-28 days postinfection for saliva, urine, and feces, respectively. The latest detection of viral RNA was 84, 44, and 44 days postinfection in saliva, urine, and feces, respectively. In contrast, blood of 5 of 6 animals contained viral RNA at day 133 postinfection, suggesting that bank voles secrete virus only during a limited time of the infection. Intranasal inoculations with bank vole saliva, urine, or feces were all infectious for virus-negative bank voles, indicating that these 3 transmission routes may occur in nature and that rodent saliva might play a role in transmission to humans.
Insights
Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) shedding in bank voles occurs for a limited period, primarily through excretions. Saliva, urine, and feces can transmit the virus, with saliva potentially playing a role in human transmission.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic viral diseases
- Rodent-borne pathogens
- Infectious disease transmission
Background:
- Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) is endemic in bank vole (Myodes glareolus) populations.
- Transmission is primarily suspected via contaminated excretions.
- Understanding PUUV shedding dynamics is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the shedding patterns of PUUV in bank voles post-infection.
- To determine the duration and routes of viral RNA shedding.
- To assess the potential for transmission via different excretory routes.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous inoculation of 10 bank voles with PUUV.
- Regular sampling of saliva, urine, feces, and blood up to 133 days postinfection.
- Intranasal inoculation of naive bank voles with infected excretions to assess infectivity.
Main Results:
- Viral RNA levels peaked at different times for saliva (11-28 days), urine (14-21 days), and feces (11-28 days).
- Viral RNA was detected up to 84 days in saliva and 44 days in urine and feces.
- Blood samples showed persistent viral RNA in 5/6 voles at day 133.
- Infected saliva, urine, and feces were all capable of infecting naive bank voles via intranasal inoculation.
Conclusions:
- Bank voles shed PUUV for a limited duration, primarily through excretions.
- Saliva, urine, and feces represent viable transmission routes in nature.
- Rodent saliva may be a significant, underappreciated route for human transmission of PUUV.
