Immunological Mechanisms Mediating Hantavirus Persistence in Rodent Reservoirs
2008
Immunological Mechanisms of Hantavirus Persistence in Rodents
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Easterbrook Judith D., Klein Sabra L.
Primary Institution: The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Certain immune responses that are mounted in humans during hantavirus infection are suppressed in rodent reservoirs to establish and maintain viral persistence, while preventing disease.
Conclusion
Hantaviruses persist in their rodent hosts without causing disease, suggesting that both viral and host factors contribute to this persistence.
Supporting Evidence
- Hantaviruses can infect their rodent hosts without causing overt disease.
- Understanding the immune responses in rodents may provide insights for treating hantavirus infections in humans.
- Regulatory T cells in rodents enhance hantavirus persistence.
Takeaway
Hantaviruses can live in rodents without making them sick, and understanding how this happens can help us treat humans who get sick from these viruses.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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