Abstract
Using serological tools for bat- and shrew-borne hantaviruses, we investigated the seroprevalence of these viruses in 336 human sera from Sri Lanka, consisting of 168 healthy individuals and 168 febrile patients. Twelve and 31 sera were positive for Mix antigen-bat (recombinant N antigens of Brno, Dakrong, Quezon, Robina, and Xuan Son viruses) and Mix antigen-shrew (recombinant N antigens of Altai, Asama, Cao Bang, Nova, Seewis, and Thottapalayam viruses), respectively. 2 of 168 control sera and 39 of 168 febrile patient sera were positive for Mix antigen-bat or Mix antigen-shrew. Individual antigen reactions were positive for Quezon, Robina, Altai, Asama, Cao Bang, Seewis, and Thottapalayam viruses. These findings suggest that bat- and shrew-derived hantaviruses may infect humans in Sri Lanka.
