A1 Journal article (refereed)
Temporal dynamics of Puumala hantavirus infection in cyclic populations of bank voles (2016)

Voutilainen, L., Kallio, E., Niemimaa, J., Vapalahti, O., & Henttonen, H. (2016). Temporal dynamics of Puumala hantavirus infection in cyclic populations of bank voles. Scientific Reports, 6, Article 21323. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep21323

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Voutilainen, Liina; Kallio, Eva; Niemimaa, Jukka; Vapalahti, Olli; Henttonen, Heikki

Journal or series: Scientific Reports

ISSN: 2045-2322

eISSN: 2045-2322

Publication year: 2016

Volume: 6

Issue number: 0

Article number: 21323

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep21323

Research data link: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.g8140

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/49077

Additional information: Lehdellä vain volyyminumerointi.

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of zoonotic pathogens in their reservoir host populations is a prerequisite for predicting and preventing human disease epidemics. The human infection risk of Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) is highest in northern Europe, where populations of the rodent host (bank vole, Myodes glareolus) undergo cyclic fluctuations. We conducted a 7-year capture-mark-recapture study to monitor seasonal and multiannual patterns of the PUUV infection rate in bank vole populations exhibiting a 3-year density cycle. Infected bank voles were most abundant in mid-winter months during years of increasing or peak host density. Prevalence of PUUV infection in bank voles exhibited a regular, seasonal pattern reflecting the annual population turnover and accumulation of infections within each year cohort. In autumn, the PUUV transmission rate tracked increasing host abundance, suggesting a density-dependent transmission. However, prevalence of PUUV infection was similar during the increase and peak years of the density cycle despite a twofold difference in host density. This may result from the high proportion of individuals carrying maternal antibodies constraining transmission during the cycle peak years. Our exceptionally intensive and long-term dataset provides a solid basis on which to develop models to predict the dynamic public health threat posed by PUUV in northern Europe.

Free keywords: zoonotic pathogens; Puumala hantavirus; bank vole; Myodes glareolus; infection rate; cyclic fluctuations

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2016

JUFO rating: 2