Antibodies to Tacaribe serocomplex viruses (Family
Arenaviridae, Genus Arenavirus) in Cricetid rodents from New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.
To The Editor: Woodrats (Neotoma spp.) are natural hosts of Whitewater Arroyo virus (WWAV) and other Tacaribe serocomplex viruses (family
Arenaviridae) in the western United States and northern Mexico (1).
The causative agent of Lassa fever is Lassa virus (LASV), a member of the
Arenaviridae family.
An etiologic agent was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of a patient in the 2003 cluster, and identified by EM as belonging to the family
Arenaviridae. IFA assay and PCR showed that the agent was lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), an arena-virus transmitted by rodents (24).
Evidence suggesting the placement of viruses in families
Arenaviridae, Paramyxoviridae, or Poxviridae.
Arenaviruses (family
Arenaviridae) are primarily rodent-borne RNA viruses.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), an Old World arenavirus, family
Arenaviridae, is a zoonotic virus maintained in the house mouse (Mus musculus) and can be carried by pet and laboratory rodents (1-7); human exposure occurs through aerosolized excreta or by direct rodent contact.