[Epidemiological studies on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in Japan].

Human case of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection was not confirmed virologically or serologically in Japan. Existence of the virus in experimental animals was reported in Japan shortly after first isolation of LCMV in U.S.A. In Japan, antibodies against LCMV and the virus were revealed in international sea ports. Using gene analysis, we found LCMV bearing mice would invade into Japan from South Asian countries where Mus musclus castaneus habitats. The antibodies against LCMV were distributed in the territories of M.m. castaneus and M. m. gasuensis in China. This result suggested that gene analysis will be useful tool for tracing the spread of LCMV into certain areas because of polymorphism of the wild hose mouse genes.