19th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Hantavirus in Missouri Rodents
Kelly A. Pierce* and Shawna A. Cooper
Dr. Scott Burt, Faculty Mentor
The presence of hantavirus in northeast Missouri in Peromyscus leucopus and Microtus ochrogaster has been established, but it is unknown whether other rodent species in Missouri serve as hantavirus reservoirs. Baseline seroprevalence has been difficult to establish. In 2003 a seroprevalence of 10% was found in Peromyscus leucopus populations. A subsequent study in 2004 found only one rodent with hantavirus antibodies out of 209 captures. National data are equally inconsistent; the distribution of hantavirus, its rodent reservoirs, and baseline seroprevalence are poorly understood. Future research at Truman State University will focus on capturing potential reservoir species Neotoma floridana, Peromyscus maniculatus, and Sigmadon hispidus and determining hantavirus seroprevalences for each of these species.
Keywords: hantavirus, seroprevalence, reservoir species
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 8-4
Location: VH 1000
Time: 9:00