Tick-borne agents in rodents, China, 2004-2006

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Zoonotic Pathogens

Background:

• Tick-borne diseases pose significant public health risks globally.
• Rodents are known reservoirs for various zoonotic agents.
• Understanding pathogen circulation in rodent populations is crucial for disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and co-occurrence of key tick-borne agents in rodents from China.
• To identify rodent species involved in the enzootic maintenance of these pathogens.
• To analyze the genetic diversity of detected tick-borne agents.

Main Methods:

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to detect Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, spotted fever group rickettsiae, and Francisella tularensis.
• A total of 705 rodents from 6 provinces in China were sampled.
• Sequence analysis was performed on PCR products to confirm agent presence and genotypes.

Main Results:

• Infection rates were 5.5% for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, 6.7% for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, 9.1% for spotted fever group rickettsiae, and 5.0% for Francisella tularensis.
• Eighteen rodents (2.6%) were positive for two or three agents, indicating co-infection.
• Multiple rodent species were found to harbor these tick-borne agents.

Conclusions:

• Tick-borne agents Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, spotted fever group rickettsiae, and Francisella tularensis co-circulate in Chinese rodent populations.
• A diverse range of rodent species likely plays a role in the enzootic maintenance of these pathogens.
• The findings highlight the importance of rodent surveillance for tick-borne disease control in the region.