Antibodies Related to <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> sensu lato, <i>Coxiella burnetii,</i> and <i>Francisella tularensis</i> Detected in Serum and Heart Rinses of Wild Small Mammals in the Czech Republic

Wild small mammals are the most common reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause zoonotic diseases. The aim of the study was to detect antibodies related to <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> sensu lato, <i>Coxiella burnetii,</i> and <i>Francisella tularensis</...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alena Žákovská, Eva Bártová, Pavlína Pittermannová, Marie Budíková
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/4/419
Description
Summary:Wild small mammals are the most common reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause zoonotic diseases. The aim of the study was to detect antibodies related to <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> sensu lato, <i>Coxiella burnetii,</i> and <i>Francisella tularensis</i> in wild small mammals from the Czech Republic. In total, sera or heart rinses of 211 wild small mammals (168 <i>Apodemus flavicollis</i>, 28 <i>Myodes glareolus</i>, 9 <i>A. sylvaticus</i>, and 6 <i>Sorex araneus</i>) were examined by modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies related to <i>B.</i><i>burgdorferi</i> s.l., <i>C. burnetii</i>, and <i>F. tularensis</i> were detected in 15%, 19%, and 20% of animals, respectively. The prevalence of <i>B. burgdorferi</i> and <i>F. tularensis</i> statistically differed in localities and <i>F. tularensis</i> also differed in sex. Antibodies against 2–3 pathogens were found in 17% of animals with a higher prevalence in <i>M. glareolus</i>. This study brings new data about the prevalence of the above-mentioned pathogens.
ISSN:2076-0817