RESUMO
Objective To examine the prevalence of chikungunya virus in brain tissue samples from rat?like animals in Xiamen, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, and to explore whether the rat?like animals are potential sources of human chikungunya fever infections and the host of the virus. Methods Rat?like animals were trapped in residential areas, city parks, hospitals, markets and schools in Xiamen, Shenzhen and Guangzhou (Yuexiu and Baiyun districts) between January 2013 and June 2016. Brain tissue samples of the trapped animals were collected under sterile. Chikungunya virus was detected by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT?PCR). Results Totally 1092 rat?like animals were trapped, which belonged to 7 species, 3 genera, 2 families, 2 orders. Rattus norvegicus was the dominant species in the indoor environment, Rattus losea was dominant in wild environment, and 1092 brain tissue samples were collected. No detectable chikungunya virus was found in the brain tissue samples by RT?PCR. Conclusion There is a low possibility that rat?like animals act infectious sources of human chikungunya fever infections and the host of the virus.