Tick-borne agents in rodents, China, 2004-2006

Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Dec;15(12):1904-8. doi: 10.3201/eid1512.081141.

Abstract

A total of 705 rodents from 6 provinces and autonomous regions of mainland People's Republic of China were tested by PCRs for tick-borne agents (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, spotted fever group rickettsiae, and Francisella tularensis). Infection rates were 5.5%, 6.7%, 9.1% and 5.0%, respectively. Eighteen (2.6%) rodents of 10 species were positive for 2 or 3 agents. Sequence analysis of PCR products confirmed the presence and genotypes of detected agents. These findings demonstrate that these tick-borne agents cocirculate and that a variety of rodent species may be involved in their enzootic maintenance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / isolation & purification*
  • Animals
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / isolation & purification*
  • China
  • Francisella tularensis / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Public Health
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*
  • Rodentia / microbiology*
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / microbiology*
  • Time Factors