The Epidemiological Investigation of Yersinia pestis , Francisella tularensis , and Arenavirus Infections in Small Mammals in Northwestern Iran

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Background: The control and prevention of rodent-borne diseases are mainly based on our knowledge of ecology and the infectious status of their reservoir hosts. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Francisella tularensis , Yersinia pestis , and arenavirus infections in small mammals and to assess the potential of disease occurrence in East Azerbaijan, northwest of Iran, in 2017 and 2018. Methods: Spleen and lung samples were obtained from all trapped small mammals. The real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method was used to detect nucleic acid sequences of F. tularensis , Y. pestis , and arenaviruses. Serum samples were tested for antibodies indicating the host response to F. tularensis and Y . pestis infections using the standard tube agglutination test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Results: A total of 205 rodents, four Eulipotyphla, and one carnivore were captured. The most common rodent species captured (123 of 205 rodents, 60%) belonged to the genus Meriones (mainly Persian jird, Meriones persicus ). In total, 317 fleas were removed from trapped animals. Flea species belonged to Xenopsylla buxtoni, Xenopsylla nuttalli, Stenoponia tripectinata , Paraceras melis , Ctenophthalmus rettigi smiti , Rhadinopsylla bivirgis , Paradoxopsyllus grenieri , and Nosopsyllus iranus . Using the qPCR tests, five spleen samples from M. persicus were positive for F. tularensis . The qPCR tests were negative for the detection of Y. pestis and arenaviruses. Finally, all serum samples tested were negative for antibodies against Y. pestis and F. tularensis . Conclusions: F. tularensis was the only zoonotic agent detected in rodents captured in East Azerbaijan. However, the diversity of trapped rodents and fleas provides the potential for the spread of various rodent-borne viral and bacterial diseases in the studied areas.

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