Disease/Pathogenesis

The first human disease known to be due to a Hantavirus infection was hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, identified in the early 1950s during the Korean War. Many United Nations troops developed a weird disease marked by fever, headache, hemorrhage, and acute kidney failure. Despite much research, the cause remained unknown for 26 years until a new virus; named “Hantaan virus” was isolated in Korea from field mice in 1976.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is prevalent in China and Korea. During the seasonal disease peak times, the host rodent populations max out and the fields become full of dust (containing dry virus-laden excrement). The disease is lethal in approximately 5 to 10 percent of cases.

Hantaan virus, the etiological agent of Korean hemorrhagic fever, is transmitted to humans from persistently infected mice (Apodemus agrarius), which serve as the primary reservoir. Various strains of adult Mus musculus domesticus (C57BL/6, BALB/c, AKR/J, and SJL/J) were prone to Hantaan virus infection when infected intraperitoneally.

First clinical signs were: -

1. Loss of weight

2. Ruffled fur

3. Reduced activity

4. Paralyses

5. Convulsions

Within 2 days of disease commencement, the animals died of acute encephalitis. PCR analysis indicated a systemic infection with viral RNA present in all major organs. To investigate the involvement of the interferon system in Hantaan virus pathogenesis, alpha/beta interferon receptor knockout mice are infected. These animals are more susceptible to Hantaan virus infection. They indicate an important part of interferon-induced antiviral defense mechanisms in Hantaan virus pathogenesis.