Zoonotic Ectoparasites Infesting Commensal Invasive Murid Rodents

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Entomology
• Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology
• Parasitology

Background:

• Rodents are significant reservoirs for zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases.
• Their adaptability to human environments facilitates disease transmission to humans.
• Understanding rodent-associated ectoparasites is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review and analyze zoonotic ectoparasites associated with key rodent species (*Rattus rattus*, *R. norvegicus*, *Mus musculus*).
• To identify the most prevalent ectoparasite species and their distribution across continents.
• To inform public health strategies and integrated pest management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of academic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus).
• Screening and selection of relevant articles using R statistical software (packages ''metagear'' and ''revtool'').
• Analysis of 53 articles published between 1994 and 2024 from 29 countries across six continents.

Main Results:

• Identified 87 species of zoonotic ectoparasites across the studied rodent species.
• Rattus rattus was the most studied host, with the highest number of associated ectoparasites.
• Mites (40.83%), fleas (25%), ticks (20%), and lice (14.17%) were the most common ectoparasite groups. *Xenopsylla cheopis*, *Polyplax spinulosa*, and *Laelaps echidninus* were frequently reported.

Conclusions:

• Rodents harbor a diverse array of zoonotic ectoparasites, posing significant public health threats.
• The prevalence and distribution of these ectoparasites necessitate further investigation.
• Effective integrated pest management and public health surveillance are essential to mitigate disease transmission risks.