EVIDENCE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF PUUMULA-RELATED VIRUS AMONG CLETHRIONOMYS RUFOCANUS IN HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

We conducted field surveys of indigenous rodent species in Hokkaido, Japan from 1980 to 1993. Serum samples were collected from 663 rodents, including Clethrionomys rufocanus, Apodemus speciosus, A. argenteus, and C. rutilus. Antibody to hantavirus was determined by the protein G antibody assay. Positive C. rufocanus were detected in seven of eight collection sites, but no antibody was detected in the remaining rodent species. To reveal the serotype of the circulating virus in C. rufocanus, antibody titers to Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala, and Prospect Hill viruses were compared by means of the focus reduction neutralization test. The titers in positive sera were extremely high to the Sotkamo strain of Puumala virus. Results were confirmed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and suggested that Puumala-related viruses are in circulation among C. rufocanus populations in Hokkaido.