Wild rodents in three provinces of China exhibit a wide range of diversity.

INTRODUCTION

is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens, responsible for nearly 90% of human infections. Its host spectrum is broad in China, encompassing humans, non-human primates, domestic animals, wildlife, and wastewater. Wild rodents have the potential to act as carriers of , facilitating the parasite's transmission to humans and domestic animals.

METHODS

The present study involved the collection of 344 wild rodents, representing nine species, from three provinces in China. The prevalence and genotypes of were determined through amplification of the ITS gene. Evolutionary analysis was conducted using Mega 5.0 with the neighbor-joining method (Kimura 2-parameter model, 1,000 replicates).

RESULTS

Among the sampled wild rodents, 41 (11.92%) were tested positive for . exhibited the highest prevalence (11/39), while and showed no infections (0/39 and 0/5, respectively), highlighting significant differences. Environmental factors strongly influenced infection; rodents residing in lake beaches (10.27%, 15/146) and fields (19.95%, 18/95) were more susceptible compared to those in mountainous areas (7.77%, 8/103). The study identified four known genotypes (D, Type IV, SDD5, PigEBITS7) and five novel genotypes (HNRV-1 to HNRV-3, GXRL-1, GXRL-2) in the investigated wild rodents, with Genotype D exhibiting the highest prevalence.

DISCUSSION

Remarkably, this study reports the presence of . , , , , , and for the first time. These findings underscore the common occurrence of infection in wild rodents in China, highlighting its diverse nature and significant potential for zoonotic transmission. Hence, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive epidemiological investigation of rodent infection with , particularly focusing on wild rodents that are closely associated with humans. Additionally, developing appropriate measures and monitoring strategies to minimize the risk of infection is essential.