Analysis of detection results of pathogens carried by rodents in Weifang in 2023

LIU Guojun; WANG Hongwei; YUAN Senmei; HUO Xiyuan; HAN Xuefeng; HAN Yingnan; LIU Yan

doi:10.19821/j.1671-2781.2025.02.012

Abstract：Objective To investigate the distribution of rodent species and pathogens in some areas of Weifang,Shandong Province,so as to provide theoretical basis for the control of rodent diseases.Methods In 2023,rodents were collected using night clamping method in Qingzhou City,Anqiu City,Gaomi City,Linqu County,and Changle County,Weifang,and the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method was used to detect the Hantavirus,Dabie bandavirus,Leptospira,Orientia tsutsugamushi and Bartonella in the tissues(liver,spleen,kidney,and lung)of rodents.Excel 2016 and SPSS 17.0 softwares were used for data processing and analysis,and the comparison of detection rates was performed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability method.Results A total of 202 rodents were captured,including Rattus norvegicus(163,80.69%),Mus musculus(29,14.36%),Apodemus agrarius(7,3.47%)and R.confucianus sacer(3,1.49%).The detection results of pathogens showed that 36 rodents were infected with the pathogens,with an infection rate of 17.82%.20 rodent samples had positive results for Hantavirus,all of which were Seoul virus,with an infection rate of 9.90%.11 samples had positive results for O.tsutsugamushi,with an infection rate of 5.45%.6 samples had positive results for Bartonella,with an infection rate of 2.97%.4 samples had positive results for Leptospira,with an infection rate of 1.98%.No Dabie bandavirus was detected.Hantavirus and O.tsutsugamushi were only found in R.norvegicus,and the infection rates were 12.27%and 6.75%,respectively.The infection rate of Leptospira was 0.61%,6.90%,and 14.29%in R.norvegicus,M.musculus,and A.agrarius,respectively,with statistically significant differences(χ2=10.485,P=0.005).The infection rates of Bartonella were 2.45%and 6.90%in R.norvegicus and M.musculus,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(χ2=1.605,P=0.205).The infection rates of 5 kinds of rodent pathogens were 25.93%,22.73%,5.41%,14.71%and 10.71%in 5 counties and cities,respectively.The infection rate in Qingzhou was highest,while that in Gaomi was lowest.There was a statistically significant difference in the infection rates of rodent pathogens between different regions(χ2=10.031,P=0.041).Conclusion The rodents in Weifang are infected with Hantavirus,Bartonella,O.tsutsugamushi,and Leptospirosis.Therefore,it is necessary to strengthen the detection of rodent-transmitted pathogens and related disease surveillance in key areas,and develop appropriate rodent-borne disease control strategies for the local area.