Investigation on Leptospira infection in rodents in port areas of southern Fujian in 2025
DAI Zuteng
LIN Wenhua
LIN Xiaoyan
HE Ji
Abstract：Objective To investigate the species composition of rodents and their infection status with Leptospira in the port areas of southern Fujian,so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of rodents and leptospirosis in the region.Methods Quarterly surveys were conducted in February,May,August,and November 2025 within the port areas of southern Fujian and their surrounding 400-meter radius.Rodents were captured using cage traps and snap traps method.After species identification,kidney and bladder tissue samples were collected.The 16S rRNA gene of Leptospira was amplified by PCR for detection.Results A total of 135 rodents were captured in 2025.The dominant species was Suncus murinus(72.59％),followed by Rattus norvegicus(12.59％).Six samples tested positive for Leptospira,with an overall positive rate of 4.44％.The infection rates varied among the different city ports,with Quanzhou showing the highest rate(11.11％),followed by Zhangzhou(4.65％)and Xiamen(1.54％).16S rRNA typing revealed that all six positive samples were pathogenic Leptospira interrogans.Conclusion The density of rodents in the port areas of southern Fujian meets the industry standard limits.However,given the presence of pathogenic L.interrogans in the local rodent population,especially at some ports such as Quanzhou,which show relatively high infection rates,continuous and targeted surveillance and control of rodents and leptospirosis should be strengthened in these areas.
Keywords：rodentsLeptospiraport areas of southern Fujiansurveillance16S rRNA gene
Publication Date：2026-02-20
Online Publishing Date：2026-04-02(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 32-36 )