Return to search

Molecular identification and characterisation of rodent- and shrew-borne Hantaviruses

Thesis (MScMedSc (Pathology. Medical Virology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Throughout history disease entities have been described which match the
description of diseases now known to be caused by hantaviruses; however these
viruses were first identified as the aetiologic agent in 1976, the first species named
Hantaan virus after the river near which its natural host, the rodent species
Apodemus agrarius, was captured. Since then numerous species in the Hantavirus
genus, family Bunyaviridae, have been found, with today more than 30 species
worldwide being known.
Hantaviruses are hosted by rodents from the Muridae and Cricetidae families and by
shrews (insectivores) in the Soricidae family. There are two types of hantavirus
disease, Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the Old World and
Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in the New World. The first two
African hantaviruses were identified in 2006 in Guinea, West Africa; Sangassou virus
(SANGV) in a rodent, the African wood mouse (Hylomyscus simus), and Tanganya
virus (TGNV) in Therese’s shrew (Crocidura theresae).
In this study, rodents and shrews were trapped at localities in the Western Cape and
Northern Cape provinces of South Africa, and in the southern regions of Namibia.
RNA was extracted from their lungs and screened for hantavirus sequences by RTPCR,
using degenerate primers designed to detect all members of the Hantavirus
genus.
In addition, an in-house IgG ELISA assay was set up, based on recombinant N
antigen from Dobrava virus, DOB-rN, and Puumala virus, PUU-rN. The assay was
used to screen patient sera collected in an anonymous convenience serological
survey using residual serum samples left over from routine testing at NHLS
laboratories in the Western Cape for hantavirus-specific antibodies.
RNA from 576 animal specimens was screened by RT-PCR; no hantavirus genome
was detected in any of the specimens. Sera from 161 patients were screened for
hantavirus antibodies; 11.18% of the sera were reactive to DOB-rN, 4.97% against
PUU-rN and 2.48% against both antigens.
v
Though no virus was detected in the animals screened, this does not necessarily
mean that there are no hantaviruses present in Southern Africa. A previous
seroepidemiological survey conducted in South Africa reported on the presence of
hantavirus specific antibodies by IFA in two species of rodents trapped in the
Western Cape and Northern Cape Aethomys namquensis and Tatera leucogaster.
Our was the second known study in South Africa conducted that determined and
proved the presence of hantavirus specific antibodies in humans. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dwarsdeur die geskiedenis was daar beskrywings van siektes wat ooreenstem met
die beskrywing van hantavirus simptome, maar die eerste etiologiese oorsaak van
die siekte is eers in 1976 geïdentifiseer en Hantaan virus genoem, vernoem na die
rivier waar naby die gasheer, Apodemus agrarius, gevang is. Van daar af het die
soektog na nuwe hantavirusse intensief gevorder en vandag is daar meer as 30
spesies wêreldwyd wat aan die Hantavirus genus, ’n lid van die Bunyaviridae familie,
behoort.
Knaagdiere van die Muridae en Cricetidae families, sowel as spitsmuise (insekvreters)
in die Soricidae familie is gasheer vir hantavirusse. Twee tipes hantavirus
siekte is bekend, hemorragische koors met nier sindroom (HFRS) in die Ou Wêreld
en hantavirus kardiopulmonale sindroom in die Nuwe Wêreld. Die eerste twee Afrika
hantavirusse is in 2006 in Guinee Wes-Afrika geïdentifiseer; Sangassou virus
(SANGV) in ’n knaagdier, die Afrika hout muis (Hylomyscus simus) en Tanganya
virus (TGNV) in Therese se spitsmuis (Crocidura theresae).
In hierdie studie is knaagdiere en spitsmuise op verskeie plekke in die Wes- en
Noord-Kaap provinsies, asook die Suide van Namibië, gevang. RNS is onttrek vanuit
die longe en hantavirus volgordes is gesoek deur middel RT-PKR deur gebruik te
maak van Pan-Hanta primers wat ontwerp is om alle lede van die Hantavirus genus
op te spoor. ’n Self-ontwerpde IgG ELISA, gebasseer op rekombinante N antigeen
van Dobrava virus, DOB-rN en Puumala virus, PUU rN, is opgestel en gebruik om
pasiënt serum, verkry in ’n anonieme serologiese opname, te toets; oorblywende
serum, na toetse uitgevoer is deur NHLS laboratoriums in die Wes-Kaap, is verkry
en getoets vir hantavirus spesifieke teenliggaampies.
RNS van 576 dier monsters is getoets deur middel van RT-PKR en geen hantavirus
is in enige van die monsters geïdentifiseer nie. Serum van 161 pasiënte is getoets vir
hantavirus teenliggaampies; 11.18% van die serum was reaktief teen DOB-rN,
4.97% teen PUU-rN en 2.48% teen albei antigene.
Alhoewel geen virus in die diere geïdentifiseer is nie, beteken dit nie noodwendig dat
geen hantavirusse in Suidelike-Afrika voorkom nie. ‘n Vorige sero-epidemiologiese
opname wat in Suid-Afrika gedoen is het die teenwoordigheid van hantavirus
spesifieke teenliggaampies in twee knaagdier spesies, Aethomys namquensis en
Tatera leucogaster gevang in die Wes-en Noord-Kaap, gevind. Ons studie is die
tweede studie bekend in Suid-Afrika uitgevoer, wat die teenwoordigheid van
hantavirus spesifieke teenliggaampies bevind en bewys het.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/5231
Date12 1900
CreatorsIthete, Ndapewa Laudika
ContributorsPreiser, Wolfgang, Kruger, Detlev H., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Health Sciences. Dept. of Pathology. Medical Virology.
PublisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Formatxvi, 94 p. : ill. (some col.)
RightsUniversity of Stellenbosch

Page generated in 0.0026 seconds