Antibodies to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in wild rodent sera in Egypt

Specific antibodies to lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus were detected in sera of wild rodents trapped in different regions of Egypt. The highest proportion of positive sera (11.5%) was found in Sinaa Governorate of the Asian Continent, followed by Sharkia Governorate (5.6%) adjacent to Sinaa and Giza Governorate (1.8%). In Upper Egypt, however all 610 rodent sera collected in Aswan, Red sea Pernees and New Valley adjacent to Sudan were negative. The highest percentage of positive sera was in Rattus rattus frugivorus and Mus musculus species.