rodent-borne hemorrhagic fever viruses compared
Hantavirus vs arenavirus
| Feature | Hantavirus | Arenavirus |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Hantaviridae (order Bunyavirales) | Arenaviridae |
| Genome | Tri-segment negative-sense RNA | Bi-segment ambisense RNA |
| Reservoirs | Specific rodent per virus (Cricetidae, Muridae) | Specific rodent per virus (mostly Cricetidae); some bats |
| Transmission | Aerosolised excreta primarily | Aerosolised excreta + direct contact + nosocomial |
| Notable human pathogens | Hantaan, Puumala, Sin Nombre, Andes | Lassa, Junín, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabiá, LCMV |
| Person-to-person spread | Only ANDV | Documented for Lassa, Machupo, Junín |
| Antiviral options | Ribavirin marginal for HFRS | Ribavirin proven for Lassa; convalescent plasma for Junín |
Hantaviruses and arenaviruses are the two great families of rodent-borne hemorrhagic-fever viruses. They are taxonomically unrelated — hantaviruses are Bunyavirales, arenaviruses are Arenaviridae — but they share enough ecological and clinical characteristics to be routinely co-considered in differential diagnosis.
Hantaviruses. Tri-segment negative-sense RNA viruses with strong reservoir fidelity to specific Cricetidae or Muridae rodents. Transmission is overwhelmingly via inhaled aerosolised excreta. Cause two syndromes — HPS (New World) and HFRS (Old World). Person-to-person transmission is documented only for Andes virus. No specific antiviral; ribavirin is marginal for HTNV-HFRS.
Arenaviruses. Bi-segment ambisense RNA viruses with similar reservoir fidelity. Notable human pathogens include Lassa virus (West Africa, ~100,000–300,000 infections/year, CFR 1% in mild and up to 15% in hospitalised cases), the South American clade (Junín virus in Argentina, Machupo in Bolivia, Guanarito in Venezuela, Sabiá in Brazil), and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV, worldwide via Mus musculus). Lassa and the South American viruses produce serious hemorrhagic fevers; LCMV more commonly causes meningitis and a severe congenital syndrome.
Where they differ operationally. Arenaviruses spread person-to-person more readily — Lassa nosocomial outbreaks have killed healthcare workers, and Machupo and Junín have spread through household and hospital contacts. Antiviral therapy is more effective: ribavirin clearly reduces Lassa mortality if started in the first six days, and convalescent plasma is established for Argentine hemorrhagic fever (Junín). Hantaviruses lack a comparable antiviral toolkit.
Where they overlap. Both can present with fever, myalgia, conjunctival injection, thrombocytopaenia, and bleeding. Both are reportable to public health in most jurisdictions with capacity. Both are categorised as biosafety level 3 or 4 pathogens depending on species. Differentiating them in the early phase depends on geography (which viruses circulate where), exposure history (rodent-infested cabin vs Lassa-endemic village), and rapid laboratory diagnostics.