Molecular characterization of spp., spp. and in eleven wild rodent species in China: Common distribution, extensive genetic diversity and high zoonotic potential.

spp., spp. and are common zoonotic pathogens in humans and animals. Although rodents are important parts of the ecosystem and common hosts for these pathogens, little is known of the distribution, genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of these pathogens in wild rodents. A total of 442 fecal samples were collected from eleven wild rodent species in three provinces of China, and analyzed for these pathogens by PCR and DNA sequencing. The infection rates of spp., spp. and were 19.9% (88/442), 19.8% (75/378) and 12.2% (54/442), respectively. Altogether, 23 known species/genotypes were identified and their distribution varied among different sampling locations or rodent species. Subtyping of the zoonotic species identified two novel subtype families XVe and XVf in , the subtype family XIIh and a novel subtype family XIIj in , and the subtype family IId in . Three species were identified, including ( = 57), ( = 15) and ( = 3), with assemblages A and G identified in brown rats in urban areas of Guangdong. In addition, 13 genotypes including eight known and five novel ones were identified, belonging to Groups 1, 2, 10, 14 and 15. Within nine genotypes in the zoonotic Group 1, common human-pathogenic genotypes D, Type IV, PigEbITS7 and Peru8 were detected only in brown rats and Lesser rice-field rats in urban areas of Guangdong. Apparent host adaptation and geographical differences were observed among spp., spp. and genotypes in wild rodents in the present study. Furthermore, the zoonotic species and genotypes commonly found here suggest a high zoonotic potential of these pathogens in wild rodents, especially in brown rats in urban areas. Hygiene and One Health measures should be implemented in urban streets and food stores to reduce the possible direct and indirect transmission of these rodent-related pathogens.