Hantavirus infections: epidemiology and pathogenesis.

Hantaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses that persistently infect rodent hosts without ill-effect. The host persistently excretes virus in urine and saliva. Man becomes infected from the rodents when one enters the ecological niche of the other. There are two major clinical presentations--haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, found worldwide in various forms and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, found only in the Americas. This review examines the virology, epidemiology and pathogenesis of these emerging pathogens.