A possible case of hantavirus infection in a Borneo orangutan and its conservation implication

摘要

Background Natural infection of hantavirus in orangutans has never been reported. Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and RT-PCR were used to diagnosis a suspected case in a pet orangutan in southern Taiwan. Results Although the RT-PCR result was negative, the high IgG titer in the beginning and its dramatic drop after treatments suggested a recent Seoul-type hantavirus infection. Conclusions Hantavirus transmission and its potential damage to wild orangutans should not be overlooked.