Serological evidence of murine pathogens in wild grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in North Wales

Vet Rec. 2002 Apr 27;150(17):543-6. doi: 10.1136/vr.150.17.543.

Abstract

Wild grey squirrels in North Wales were examined for their serological response to a range of laboratory mouse pathogens. Nineteen squirrels were tested against 14 organisms and a high seroprevalence was found to several, including murine cytomegalovirus, mouse adenovirus, reovirus 3, rotavirus and Sendai virus. Four of the squirrels were seropositive for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, a zoonotic pathogen. None of the infections has previously been reported in squirrels.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / virology
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Rodent Diseases / blood
  • Rodent Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Rodent Diseases / transmission
  • Rodent Diseases / virology*
  • Sciuridae / virology*
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology
  • Virus Diseases / microbiology
  • Virus Diseases / veterinary*
  • Viruses / immunology
  • Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • Wales / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral