[First serological evidence of Hantavirus infection in rodents in Colombia].

Objective: Determining Hantavirus infection prevalence in rodents in the C6rdoba department, Colombia.

Methods: Rodents were captured using Sherman live-capture traps (8 x 9 x 23 cm; Sherman Traps, Inc., Tallahassee, FL) in peridomestic areas of Córdoba. Hantavirus IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA using Sin Nombre virus (SNV) recombinant nucleocapsid antigen (CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA).

Results: 336 rodents were captured in 11 townships in the Córdoba department (Murinae: 249; Sigmodontinae: 68; Heteromyidae: 17; Echimyidae: 2; 8.5% overall trap success) during 79 nights of trapping between January 2003 and November 2004. Hantavirus antibody seroprevalence was 2.1% (7 out of 336 captures). Prevalence by genus varied between 5.9% (1 out of 17 Heteromys) to 50% (1 out of 2 Proechimys).

Conclusions: SNV-reactive antibody prevalence in rodents in Córdoba, Colombia, indicated that at least one hantavirus is endemic in rodents in northern Colombia and is frequently transmitted to rural residents.