Journal Article (Review Article)

DKFZ-2025-01966

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Silent Carriers: The Role of Rodents in the Emergence of Zoonotic Bacterial Threats.

Basiouni, S. (First author)DKFZ* ; Rodriguez-Morales, A. J. ; Shehata, A. A. ; Duarte, P. M.

2025
MDPI Basel

Abstract: Rodents are recognized as significant reservoirs for a broad range of zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, many of which have substantial implications for human and animal health. The intensifying interaction between humans and rodent populations, fuelled by urbanization, climate change, and global trade, has amplified the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. This review compiles and examines current knowledge on key rodent-borne bacterial diseases, including leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, plague, salmonellosis, tularemia, Lyme disease, rickettsioses, Babesiosis, and associated parasitic infections such as toxoplasmosis and Chagas disease. Each disease is analyzed in terms of its etiology, transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tools, and treatment options, with a particular focus on the impact of environmental changes. Emphasizing a One Health perspective, this work highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to the surveillance, prevention, and control of rodent-borne zoonoses, particularly in the context of increasing climate variability and anthropogenic pressures.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Rodentia: microbiology (MeSH) ; Bacterial Zoonoses: transmission (MeSH) ; Bacterial Zoonoses: microbiology (MeSH) ; Bacterial Zoonoses: epidemiology (MeSH) ; Disease Reservoirs: microbiology (MeSH) ; Zoonoses: microbiology (MeSH) ; Zoonoses: transmission (MeSH) ; Carrier State: microbiology (MeSH) ; bacteria ; climate change ; one health ; rodents ; zoonoses

Note: #EA:W410#

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Zentrum für Präklinische Forschung (W410)

Research Program(s):

1. 314 - Immunologie und Krebs (POF4-314) (POF4-314)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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