Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonoses worldwide, primarily affecting livestock but also posing a serious threat to public health. The major Brucella species are known to cause a feverish disease in humans with various clinical signs. These classical Brucella species are (re-)emerging, but also novel strains and species, some of them transmitted from rodents, can be associated with human infections. As a result of our review on rodent-borne brucellosis, we emphasise the need for more comprehensive surveillance of Brucella and especially Brucella microti in rodent populations and call for further research targeting the ecological persistence of rodent-associated Brucella species in the environment, their epizootic role in wild rodents and their virulence and pathogenicity for wildlife.

• Keywords
• Brucella, public health risk, rodent, sapronosis, zoonosis,
• MeSH
• Brucella * isolation & purification   MeSH
• Brucellosis * epidemiology   veterinary   microbiology   transmission   MeSH
• Rodentia * microbiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Public Health * MeSH
• Zoonoses * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

The number of exotic companion pet rodents seen in veterinary practices is growing very rapidly. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association's surveys, more than 2,093,000 pet rodents were kept in US households in 2007 and in 2012 it was more than 2,349,000 animals. This article summarizes the most important evidence-based knowledge in exotic pet rodents (diagnostics of the hyperadrenocorticism in guinea pigs, pituitary tumors in rats, urolithiasis in guinea pigs, use of itopride as prokinetics, use of deslorelin acetate in rodents, cause of dental disease, and prevention of mammary gland tumors in rats).

• Keywords
• Dental disease, Deslorelin, Guinea pig, Mammary gland tumor, Rat,
• MeSH
• Evidence-Based Practice standards   MeSH
• Guinea Pigs * MeSH
• Rodent Diseases diagnosis   therapy   MeSH
• Veterinary Medicine standards   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Guinea Pigs * MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Orthohantaviruses are RNA viruses that some members are known to cause severe zoonotic diseases in humans. Orthohantaviruses are hosted by rodents, soricomorphs (shrews and moles), and bats. Only two orthohantaviruses associated with murid rodents are known in Africa, Sangassou orthohantavirus (SANGV) in two species of African wood mice (Hylomyscus), and Tigray orthohantavirus (TIGV) in the Ethiopian white-footed rat (Stenocephalemys albipes). In this article, we report evidence that, like SANGV, two strains of TIGV occur in two genetically related rodent species, S. albipes and S. sp. A, occupying different elevational zones in the same mountain. Investigating the other members of the genus Stenocephalemys for TIGV could reveal the real diversity of TIGV in the genus.

• Keywords
• Afroalpine, Simien Mountains, Stenocephalemys, orthohantavirus, phylogeny,
• MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Hantavirus Infections epidemiology   veterinary   virology   MeSH
• Orthohantavirus genetics   MeSH
• Rodentia MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Rodent Diseases epidemiology   virology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Ethiopia epidemiology   MeSH

Recent years have witnessed the discovery of several new viruses belonging to the family Arteriviridae, expanding the known diversity and host range of this group of complex RNA viruses. Although the pathological relevance of these new viruses is not always clear, several well-studied members of the family Arteriviridae are known to be important animal pathogens. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of four new arterivirus variants, belonging to two putative novel species. These new arteriviruses were discovered in African rodents and were given the names Lopma virus and Praja virus. Their genomes follow the characteristic genome organization of all known arteriviruses, even though they are only distantly related to currently known rodent-borne arteriviruses. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Lopma virus clusters in the subfamily Variarterivirinae, while Praja virus clusters near members of the subfamily Heroarterivirinae: the yet undescribed forest pouched giant rat arterivirus and hedgehog arterivirus 1. A co-divergence analysis of rodent-borne arteriviruses confirms that they share similar phylogenetic patterns with their hosts, with only very few cases of host shifting events throughout their evolutionary history. Overall, the genomes described here and their unique clustering with other arteriviruses further illustrate the existence of multiple rodent-borne arterivirus lineages, expanding our knowledge of the evolutionary origin of these viruses.

• Keywords
• Arteriviridae, cross-species transmission, host spectrum, rodent-borne arteriviruses, virus evolution,
• MeSH
• Arteriviridae classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Biological Evolution MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Genome, Viral * MeSH
• Rodentia virology   MeSH
• RNA Virus Infections veterinary   virology   MeSH
• Whole Genome Sequencing MeSH
• High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Africa South of the Sahara MeSH

Fossorial mammals are supposed to face hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions, but such conditions have been rarely encountered in their natural burrow systems. Gas composition in burrows after heavy rains, deeper burrows and especially nest chambers, where animals usually spend most of the day, could be even more challenging than in shallow burrows. Such situations, however, have been rarely surveyed in the wild. In our study, we determined concentrations of O2, CO2 and CH4 in active burrows and nests of the giant root-rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, a large fossorial rodent endemic to the Afroalpine zone of the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia. We were able to determine the precise location of nests by tracking individuals equipped with radio-collars. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that analyses air samples taken directly from the nests of actually occupied burrow systems in any free-living fossorial mammal. We found no evidence for environmental hypoxia in the examined burrows and nests (range 19.7-21.6% O2). Concentrations of CO2 in the burrows increased after the burrows were plugged in the evening, but did not reach physiologically problematic levels. The highest CO2 concentrations in burrows were detected in the evening during a wet period (up to 0.44%). In root-rat nest chambers, the highest (but still harmless) CO2 concentrations (up to 1.31%) were detected in the morning (measured in the late dry season only) together with an elevated concentration (up to 13.5ppm) of CH4. Regular surface activity of giant root-rats, combined with the relatively large dimensions of their nest chambers and tunnels, and the absence of heavy soils, may contribute to harmless atmospheres within their burrow systems.

• Keywords
• Tachyoryctes, afroalpine, burrow atmosphere, fossorial rodent,
• MeSH
• Rodentia physiology   MeSH
• Nesting Behavior * MeSH
• Oxygen * MeSH
• Microclimate MeSH
• Carbon Dioxide * MeSH
• Soil MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Oxygen * MeSH
• Carbon Dioxide * MeSH
• Soil MeSH

Impact of small rodents on mountain forest regeneration was studied in National Nature Reserve in the Beskydy Mountains (Czech Republic). A considerable amount of bark damage was found on young trees (20%) in spring after the peak abundance of field voles (Microtus agrestis) in combination with long winter with heavy snowfall. In contrast, little damage to young trees was noted under high densities of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) with a lower snow cover the following winter. The bark of deciduous trees was more attractive to voles (22% damaged) than conifers (8%). Young trees growing in open and grassy localities suffered more damage from voles than those under canopy of forest stands (χ² = 44.04, P < 0.001). Natural regeneration in Nature Reserve was less damaged compared to planted trees (χ² = 55.89, P < 0.001). The main factors influencing the impact of rodent species on tree regeneration were open, grassy habitat conditions, higher abundance of vole species, tree species preferences- and snow-cover condition. Under these conditions, the impact of rodents on forest regeneration can be predicted. Foresters should prefer natural regeneration to the artificial plantings.

• MeSH
• Rodentia physiology   MeSH
• Trees * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Recent studies show that host switching is much more frequent than originally believed and constitutes an important driver in evolution of host-parasite associations. However, its frequency and ecological mechanisms at the population level have been rarely investigated. We address this issue by analyzing phylogeny and population genetics of an extensive sample, from a broad geographic area, for commonly occurring parasites of the genus Eimeria within the abundant rodent genera Apodemus, Microtus and Myodes, using two molecular markers. At the most basal level, we demonstrate polyphyletic arrangement, i.e. multiple origin, of the rodent-specific clusters within the Eimeria phylogeny, and strong genetic/phylogenetic structure within these lineages determined at least partially by specificities to different host groups. However, a novel and the most important observation is a repeated occurrence of host switches among closely related genetic lineages which may become rapidly fixed. Within the studied model, this phenomenon applies particularly to the switches between the eimerians from Apodemus flavicollis/Apodemus sylvaticus and Apodemus agrarius groups. We show that genetic differentiation and isolation between A. flavicollis/A. sylvaticus and A. agrarius faunas is a secondary recent event and does not reflect host-parasite coevolutionary history. Rather, it provides an example of rapid ecology-based differentiation in the parasite population.

• Keywords
• Coevolution, Ecological fitting, Host specificity, Host switching, Parasite, Rodent,
• MeSH
• Biodiversity * MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Coccidia classification   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Haplotypes genetics   MeSH
• Host Specificity * MeSH
• Host-Parasite Interactions * genetics   MeSH
• Murinae parasitology   MeSH
• Genetics, Population MeSH
• Geography MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

The faeces of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus), and the domestic cat, Felis catus (Linnaeus), can be responsible for spreading eggs of Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863 and oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) into the environment. The accidental ingestion of these eggs or oocysts, through consumption of raw fruits or vegetables grown in or in contact with contaminated soil, can lead to alveolar echinococcosis (AE) or toxoplasmosis in humans. The present study provides a quantitative assessment of the faecal deposition by foxes and cats in kitchen gardens where fruits and vegetables are grown and its consequences for zoonosis transmission. The density of definitive host faeces is considered as one of the main factors in infection risk for intermediate hosts. The density of fox and cat faeces, as well as the prevalence of both AE and toxoplasmosis in rodent populations (contaminated by ingestion of eggs or oocysts), were compared within and outside kitchen gardens. Our results showed that the mean density of fox faeces did not significantly differ between kitchen gardens and habitat edges (0.29 ± 0.04 faeces/m2 vs 0.22 ± 0.02 faeces/m2), the latter being known as an area of high fox faeceal densities. The density of cat faeces was significantly higher within the kitchen garden than outside (0.86 ± 0.22 faeces/m2 vs 0.04 ± 0.02 faeces/m2). The sampled kitchen gardens might therefore be considered as possible hotspots for both fox and cat defecation. Of the 130 rodents trapped, 14% were infected by at least one species of fox or cat intestinal parasite. These rodents were significantly more often infected when they were exposed to a kitchen garden. These results suggest that the deposit of fox and cat faeces in kitchen gardens would significantly impact the risk of human exposure to E. multilocularis and T. gondii. and should be prevented using effective means.

• Keywords
• cat faeces density, food-borne agents, fox faeces density, parasite transmission risk, rodent prevalence,
• MeSH
• Arvicolinae * MeSH
• Echinococcus multilocularis isolation & purification   MeSH
• Echinococcosis epidemiology   parasitology   veterinary   MeSH
• Feces parasitology   MeSH
• Cats MeSH
• Foxes MeSH
• Murinae * MeSH
• Rodent Diseases epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Toxoplasma isolation & purification   MeSH
• Toxoplasmosis, Animal epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Gardens MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Cats MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• France epidemiology   MeSH

Mastomys natalensis-borne mammarenaviruses appear specific to subspecific M. natalensis taxa rather than to the whole species. Yet mammarenaviruses carried by M. natalensis are known to spill over and jump hosts in northern sub-Saharan Africa. Phylogeographic studies increasingly show that, like M. natalensis, small mammals in sub-Saharan Africa are often genetically structured into several subspecific taxa. Other mammarenaviruses may thus also form virus-subspecific host taxon associations. To investigate this, and if mammarenaviruses carried by M. natalensis in southern Africa are less prone to spill-over, we screened 1225 non-M. natalensis samples from Tanzania where many small mammal taxa meet. We found mammarenavirus RNA in 6 samples. Genetic/genomic characterisation confirmed they were not spill-over from M. natalensis. We detected host jumps among rodent tribe members and an association between mammarenaviruses and subspecific taxa of Mus minutoides and Grammomys surdaster, indicating host genetic structure may be crucial to understand virus distribution and host specificity.

• Keywords
• Berega virus, Comparative phylogeography, Grammomys surdaster, Host genetic structure, Host jump, Host specificity, Mus minutoides, Ngerengere virus, Songea virus, Spill-over,
• MeSH
• Arenaviridae * genetics   MeSH
• Phylogeography MeSH
• Host Specificity MeSH
• Murinae MeSH
• Rodent Diseases * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Tanzania MeSH

Rodents are distributed throughout the world and interact with humans in many ways. They provide vital ecosystem services, some species are useful models in biomedical research and some are held as pet animals. However, many rodent species can have adverse effects such as damage to crops and stored produce, and they are of health concern because of the transmission of pathogens to humans and livestock. The first rodent viruses were discovered by isolation approaches and resulted in break-through knowledge in immunology, molecular and cell biology, and cancer research. In addition to rodent-specific viruses, rodent-borne viruses are causing a large number of zoonotic diseases. Most prominent examples are reemerging outbreaks of human hemorrhagic fever disease cases caused by arena- and hantaviruses. In addition, rodents are reservoirs for vector-borne pathogens, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus and Borrelia spp., and may carry human pathogenic agents, but likely are not involved in their transmission to human. In our days, next-generation sequencing or high-throughput sequencing (HTS) is revolutionizing the speed of the discovery of novel viruses, but other molecular approaches, such as generic RT-PCR/PCR and rolling circle amplification techniques, contribute significantly to the rapidly ongoing process. However, the current knowledge still represents only the tip of the iceberg, when comparing the known human viruses to those known for rodents, the mammalian taxon with the largest species number. The diagnostic potential of HTS-based metagenomic approaches is illustrated by their use in the discovery and complete genome determination of novel borna- and adenoviruses as causative disease agents in squirrels. In conclusion, HTS, in combination with conventional RT-PCR/PCR-based approaches, resulted in a drastically increased knowledge of the diversity of rodent viruses. Future improvements of the used workflows, including bioinformatics analysis, will further enhance our knowledge and preparedness in case of the emergence of novel viruses. Classical virological and additional molecular approaches are needed for genome annotation and functional characterization of novel viruses, discovered by these technologies, and evaluation of their zoonotic potential.

• Keywords
• Diagnostics, High-throughput sequencing, Microarray, PCR, Pathogen, RT-PCR, Rodent, Rolling circle amplification, Workflow, Zoonosis,
• MeSH
• Molecular Diagnostic Techniques methods   MeSH
• Rodentia virology   MeSH
• Metagenomics methods   MeSH
• Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques methods   MeSH
• Virus Diseases epidemiology   veterinary   virology   MeSH
• Viruses classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing methods   MeSH
• Zoonoses epidemiology   virology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH