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Dobrava-belgrade virus spillover infections, Germany
Mathias Schlegel1, Boris Klempa, Brita Auste
1Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut-Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|December 8, 2009
Summary
The striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) is identified as the reservoir host for the Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) lineage DOBV-Aa in Germany. Multiple virus spillover events to the yellow-necked mouse (A. flavicollis) were observed, facilitating host switching and genetic reassortment.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Ecology
Background:
- The Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) is a significant hantavirus with various lineages.
- Understanding the reservoir hosts and transmission dynamics of DOBV is crucial for public health.
- Apodemus agrarius (striped field mouse) and Apodemus flavicollis (yellow-necked mouse) are common rodent species in Europe.
Purpose of the Study:
- To molecularly identify the primary reservoir host of the DOBV-Aa lineage in Germany.
- To investigate the potential for host switching and genetic reassortment of DOBV-Aa.
- To analyze the phylogenetic relationships of DOBV strains in different rodent species.
Main Methods:
- Molecular identification of rodents and virus detection.
- Phylogenetic analysis of viral sequences.
- Geographical mapping of virus-host associations.
Main Results:
- Apodemus agrarius was identified as the reservoir host for the DOBV-Aa lineage in three German federal states.
- Phylogenetic analyses revealed multiple spillover events of DOBV-Aa from A. agrarius to A. flavicollis.
- Evidence suggests A. flavicollis plays a role in host switch and genetic reassortment of DOBV-Aa.
Conclusions:
- Apodemus agrarius serves as the main reservoir for DOBV-Aa in the studied German regions.
- The observed spillover events to A. flavicollis are critical for the evolution and diversification of DOBV.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings for hantavirus epidemiology.
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