ABSTRACT
Small mammals host diverse communities of both ectoparasites (e.g. fleas and ticks) and endoparasites (e.g. bacteria and viruses). Some parasites are vectors of diseases that infect both humans and wildlife. The main objective of the study was to discover and molecularly characterize novel Hantaviruses and Arenaviruses and to determine the prevalence and intensity of fleas on small mammals in selected areas of Namibia. Small mammals were trapped from six different regions and screened for both Hantavirus and Arenavirus. The regions are, namely, Hardap, Khomas, Kunene, Okavango, Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa. Nucleotide sequence analysis of PCR of the partial large segments of both a Hantavirus and Arenavirus were amplified from RNA extracted from the lungs of small mammal hosts. Hantaviruses were not prevalent in any of the small mammals trapped. However, two new Arenaviruses, not previously recorded in Namibia were both isolated from the Namaqua rock mouse, Micaelamys namaquensis, trapped in Okahandja and Mariental. The Arenavirus isolated from rodents trapped in Okahandja and Mariental respectively, is closely related to the Merino Walk virus isolated from the Bush vlei rat, Myotomys unisulcatus, captured in South Africa and Luna virus discovered in Zambia in the host, the Natal multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis.
Hoveka, J (2021). Molecular Characterization Of Rodent-And-Shrew-Borne Viruses And The Prevalence And Intensity Of Infestation Of Small Mammal Fleas, In Namibia. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/molecular-characterization-of-rodent-and-shrew-borne-viruses-and-the-prevalence-and-intensity-of-infestation-of-small-mammal-fleas-in-namibia
Hoveka, Julia "Molecular Characterization Of Rodent-And-Shrew-Borne Viruses And The Prevalence And Intensity Of Infestation Of Small Mammal Fleas, In Namibia" Afribary. Afribary, 29 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/molecular-characterization-of-rodent-and-shrew-borne-viruses-and-the-prevalence-and-intensity-of-infestation-of-small-mammal-fleas-in-namibia. Accessed 15 May. 2024.
Hoveka, Julia . "Molecular Characterization Of Rodent-And-Shrew-Borne Viruses And The Prevalence And Intensity Of Infestation Of Small Mammal Fleas, In Namibia". Afribary, Afribary, 29 Apr. 2021. Web. 15 May. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/molecular-characterization-of-rodent-and-shrew-borne-viruses-and-the-prevalence-and-intensity-of-infestation-of-small-mammal-fleas-in-namibia >.
Hoveka, Julia . "Molecular Characterization Of Rodent-And-Shrew-Borne Viruses And The Prevalence And Intensity Of Infestation Of Small Mammal Fleas, In Namibia" Afribary (2021). Accessed May 15, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/molecular-characterization-of-rodent-and-shrew-borne-viruses-and-the-prevalence-and-intensity-of-infestation-of-small-mammal-fleas-in-namibia