Publication
The prevalence of viral antibodies during a large population fluctuation of house mice in Australia
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date:
12-2000
DOI:
10.1017/S0950268800004945
Abstract: We studied the seroprevalence of three viruses (mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV), minute virus of mice (MVM), and mouse parvovirus (MPV)) in house mice ( Mus domesticus ) in 1995–7. In the first year average mouse density was less than 1 mouse/ha. From November 1995 to May 1996 the population increased at an average rate of 7% per week, a doubling time of about 10 weeks. From August 1996 to May 1997 the population increased at an average rate of 10% per week, a doubling time of about 7·5 weeks. From a peak around 250 mice/ha in May 1997, the mouse population fell 19% per week to 5 mice/ha in October 1997. The seroprevalence for all three viruses varied dramatically over time. MCMV had the highest seroprevalence (61·7%), followed by MVM (8·5%) and MPV (18·4%). Time series data indicated that MCMV spread rapidly through the population of mice once trap success was greater than 14% (40–100 mice/ha). By contrast MVM and MPV seroprevalence occurred with a 2–3 month and 3–4 month time lag, respectively. The current study supports the contention that MCMV would be a good carrier for an immunocontraceptive vaccine for controlling field populations of mice.