Zoonotic spp. in Wild Rodents and Shrews.

There has been a significant increase in the number of reported human cryptosporidiosis cases in recent years. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of spp. in wild rodents and shrews, and investigate the species and genotype distribution to assess zoonotic risk. Partial 18S rRNA gene nested-PCR reveals that 36.8, 53.9 and 41.9% of mice, voles and shrews are infected with species. The highest prevalence occurred in the (field vole) and (bank vole). Interestingly, bank voles caught in fields were significantly more often -positive compared to those caught in forests. The proportion of infected animals increases from over-wintered (spring and summer) to juveniles (autumn) suggesting acquired immunity in older animals. Based on Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, (yellow-necked mouse) is commonly infected with zoonotic . Voles carry multiple different sp. and genotypes, some of which are novel. , another zoonotic species, is identified in the (grey-sided vole). Shrews carry novel shrew genotypes. In conclusion, this study indicates that protozoan are present in mouse, vole and shrew populations around Finland and the highest zoonotic risk is associated with in and in . , the most common zoonotic species in human infections, was not detected.