Molecular epidemiological investigation of Hantavirus isolated from Shandong province.

Objective To investigate molecular epidemiological characteristics of Hantavirus(HV) isolated from Shandong province. Methods A total of 48 lung tissues positive to HV antigens detected by immunofluorescence technique were amplified by RT-PCR with HV specific primers and the products were sequenced. The PCR products were analyzed in homology and phylogenetics with the known HV. Results Partial SEO S and M fragments were amplified from 15 HV antigen-positive Rattus norvegicus, and 10 strains of HV isolated were SEO. The nucleotide sequence homology of S segments was more than 96.3%, and the deduced amino acid sequence (exclude JN5-153S and DY1S) homology was more than 96.8%. The homology of M segments among those 10 strains of hantanviruses and ZB8 isolated in Shandong province was more than 97.5%, and the deduced amino acid sequence homologies were 98.6%-100%. Conclusion The HV isolated in Shandong province are mainly SEO-3 subtype. The nucleotide homology of SEO type of HV in the same or nearby area is higher and the viruses are highly conserved.