Genetic detection of Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus in the edible dormouse (Glis glis) in central Serbia.

Hantaviruses are endemic in the Balkans, particularly in Serbia, where sporadic cases and/or outbreaks of hantaviral human disease have been reported repeatedly, and evidenced serologically. Here, we present genetic detection of Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) hantaviral sequences in wild rodents trapped in central Serbia. All the animals were pre-screened serologically by indirect immunofluorescence (IF) test and only those with a positive finding of hantaviral antigens were further tested by polymerase chain reaction. Of the total of 104 trapped animals, 20 were found to be IF positive and of those three were positive for hantaviral RNA: one Microtus arvalis for Tula virus, and one each of Apodemus agrarius and Glis glis for DOBV. Phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences implies putative DOBV spillover infection of A. agrarius and G. glis from Apodemus flavicollis. However, future investigations should help to identify the most common natural host and geographical distribution of DOBV in its reservoir hosts in Serbia.

Management and care of African dormice (Graphiurus kelleni).

African dormice (Graphiurus spp.) are small nocturnal rodents that currently are uncommon in laboratory settings. Their use may increase as they have recently been shown to develop an infection with monkeypox virus and may prove to be a valuable animal model for infectious disease research. Because African dormice are not commercially available, an extensive breeding colony is required to produce the animals needed for research use. Husbandry modifications that increased the production of offspring were the use of a high-protein diet, increased cage enrichment, and decreased animal density. To optimize consumption of a high-protein diet, we tested the palatability of several high-protein foods in a series of preference trials. Dormice preferred wax worm larva, cottage cheese, roasted soy nuts, and canned chicken. Issues related to medical management of Graphiurus kelleni include potential complications from traumatic injury. The development of a program for the husbandry and care of African dormice at our institution typifies the experiences of many laboratory animal facilities that are asked to support the development of animal models using novel species.

Experimental infection of an African dormouse (Graphiurus kelleni) with monkeypox virus.

Suitable animal models are needed to study monkeypox virus (MPXV) as human monkeypox clinically resembles smallpox and MPXV is a zoonotic and potential bioterroristic agent. We have demonstrated that a species of African dormice, Graphiurus kelleni, is susceptible to a lethal infection of MPXV and that MPXV replicated in multiple organs of this species. Following intranasal administration, MPXV replicated locally in the nasal mucosa causing necrosis and hemorrhage with subsequent systemic spread to lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and other tissues where it caused severe necrosis and/or hemorrhage leading to death. The dormouse model was validated for testing prophylactic (Dryvax vaccine) and therapeutic (cidofovir) test articles against intranasal challenges with MPXV.