A survey study on hantavirus, cowpox virus, and Leptospira infections in Microtus hartingi in Kirsehir Province, Central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether hantaviruses, cowpox viruses, or Leptospira infections were prevalent in Microtus hartingi trapped in Kirsehir Province, located in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Leptospira spp. was detected in 20 of the 43 (46.5%) Microtus hartingi kidney samples and confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Five of the 20 Leptospira spp. PCR positive amplicons were sequenced, analyzed, and confirmed as Leptospira spp. This is the first study to genetically characterize Leptospira in Microtus hartingi in Turkey. There was no evidence of cowpox viruses or hantaviruses in Microtus hartingi. Therefore, additional studies are needed.