Zoonotic pathogen screening of striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius) from Austria

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Ecology

Background:

• The striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) is a known reservoir for zoonotic pathogens like Leptospira spp. and Dobrava-Belgrade orthohantavirus (DOBV).
• Striped field mouse populations have expanded their range in Austria since their initial detection in 1996.

Purpose of the Study:

• To screen striped field mice in an Austrian region near the Hungarian border for DOBV and seven vector-borne pathogens.
• To characterize the genetic diversity of detected DOBV strains.

Main Methods:

• Collection and screening of 35 striped field mice for DOBV and vector-borne pathogens.
• Hantavirus RT-PCR and DOBV IgG ELISA for DOBV detection.
• Next-generation sequencing for full genome determination of DOBV strains.
• Molecular detection of bacterial DNA (Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia miyamotoi, Neoehrlichia mikurensis).

Main Results:

• Two out of 35 mice tested positive for DOBV, with sequences clustering in the DOBV genotype Kurkino clade, showing similarity to Hungarian strains.
• Leptospira borgpetersenii ST 146 was detected in one mouse.
• Bartonella spp., Borrelia miyamotoi, and Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA were detected in 4, 1, and 2 mice, respectively.
• No DNA from Babesia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, or Rickettsia was found.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms the presence of DOBV and several vector-borne bacterial pathogens in striped field mice in Austria.
• Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and impact of these pathogens during the continued range expansion of this rodent species.