Multiple Co-infections of Rodents with Hantaviruses,Leptospira,andBabesiain Croatia

• DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2011.0632
• Publication Date: 2012-01-04T20:47:14Z
• Authors: Ante Tadin; Nenad Turk; Miša Korva; Josip Margaletić; Relja Beck; Marko Vucelja; Josipa Habuš; Petra Svoboda; Tatjana Avšič Županc; Heikki Henttonen; Alemka Markotić
• Keywords: Hantavirus Infection

Hantaviruses, Leptospira spp., and Babesia spp. are rodent-borne pathogens present worldwide. We studied multiple co-infections of small rodents in Croatia with all three pathogens. Twenty-eight Apodemus flavicollis 16 Myodes glareolus were tested for the presence hantavirus RNA by real-time RT-PCR, strains renoculture method DNA PCR. Anti-hantavirus antibodies anti-Leptospira detected serological methods. Very high infection rates each pathogen found A. flavicollis: 20 28 (71%) infected Dobrava virus, 13 (46%) Leptospira, 5 (18%) Babesia. Multiple 3 (11%) animals, suggesting that same rodent host can be several at time. Dual infections both hantaviruses 7 44 (16%), 2 (5%), double 1 (2%). Since hantaviruses, have similar geographical distributions, it is to expected other parts world co-infections, representing a serious threat public health, found.