Movimientos de roedores intra- e inter-ambiente y riesgo de exposición al Hantavirus "Andes" en Patagonia norte, Argentina.

Some aspects of the spatial ecology of three species of sigmodontine rodents (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, Abrothrix olivacea and Abrothrix hirta) were studied in the Paraje El Contra, Lanín National Park (Province of Neuquén, Argentina), and the results were then analyzed in relation to the risk of human exposure to "Andes" Hantavirus, causative agent of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The work was conducted in two environment types (sylvan and domestic), where mice were monthly captured using capture-mark-recapture methodology. Thus, movements within and between environments and home ranges sizes were estimated and compared. Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, principal reservoir of "Andes" Hantavirus in Patagonia, showed the largest number of captures in both environments and more captures than those expected by random within domestic environments. Moreover, it showed the lowest average home range sizes, and statistically significant intra environment movements. Rural domestic environments resulted to be the riskiest in terms of exposure and transmission of Hantavirus to humans. Other contributions of this work to human health are discussed as a result of captures and dispersal movements of O. longicaudatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]