Aerosol transmission of Hantaan and related viruses to laboratory rats.

Abstract : Hantaan (HTN), Seoul (SEO), and Puumala (PUU) viruses are members of the family Bunyaviridae, in the proposed genus Hantavirus. They are responsible for human disease ranging in severity from subclinical to hemorrhagic disorders collectively referred to as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Natural hosts for HTN, PUU, and SEO viruses are striped field mice, Apodemus agrarius, bank voles, Clethrionomys glareolus, and domestic rats, Rattus norvegicus, respectively. Hantaan, Seoul, and Puumala viruses were transmitted to 12-16-week-old female Wistar Rattus norvegicus by inhalation. The rodent infectious dose for each virus by intramuscular inoculation and by inhalation was determined, as was the infectious dose for Vero E-6 cells by direct plaque assay. Reprints.