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1 October 2006 Changes in Sin Nombre Virus Antibody Prevalence in Deer Mice Across Seasons: The Interaction Between Habitat, Sex, and Infection in Deer Mice
Jessica M. C. Pearce-Duvet, Stephen C. St. Jeor, John D. Boone, M. Denise Dearing
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Abstract

We examined the impact of season and habitat on Sin Nombre virus (SNV) seroprevalence in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Utah's Great Basin Desert from May 2002 through summer 2003. Low mouse captures in 2002 limited analysis for that year. In two seasons during 2003, mouse density and sagebrush cover were positively linked (spring: r=0.8, P=0.01; summer: r=0.8, P=0.04). In the spring, seroprevalence was negatively correlated with density (r=−0.9, P<0.01); male and female antibody prevalence did not differ; and scarring was unrelated to antibody status. In the summer, density and antibody prevalence were unrelated; male seroprevalence was higher (χ2=3.6, P=0.05); and seropositive mice had more scars (t=2.5, P=0.02). We speculate nesting behavior could maintain SNV over the winter, whereas summer territoriality could be responsible for transmission.

Jessica M. C. Pearce-Duvet, Stephen C. St. Jeor, John D. Boone, and M. Denise Dearing "Changes in Sin Nombre Virus Antibody Prevalence in Deer Mice Across Seasons: The Interaction Between Habitat, Sex, and Infection in Deer Mice," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 42(4), 819-824, (1 October 2006). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-42.4.819
Received: 7 April 2005; Published: 1 October 2006
KEYWORDS
deer mouse
frequency-dependent transmission
habitat quality
Peromyscus maniculatus
Seasonality
Sin Nombre virus
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