Diversity and dynamics of zoonotic pathogens within a local community of small mammals

Small mammals are important reservoirs of multiple pathogens transmittable to humans. Rodent populations highly dynamic, passing through multiannual cycles with densities changing in several orders magnitude. Such variable pools hosts shape the intensity pathogen spread among animals and risks spillover We describe such dynamic system within a sample set 13 small mammal species six potentially zoonotic (bacteria Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Leptospira, Borrelia, Bartonella, protist Babesia) present surroundings village south-eastern part Czech Republic. This article presents results six-year-long study at site. The observed prevalence selected varied greatly years host species. dominant rodents (Apodemus sp., Apodemus agrarius Myodes glareolus) harboured all tested multi-infections were not rare – we found up four some individuals. surge Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. following overall rodent population increase 2014 2019, A. Microtus arvalis being most infected Rickettsia sp. reached 24 % shrew Crocidura suaveolens, thus this potential neglected reservoir deserves further attention.