Prevalence, Species Characterization, and Genetic Diversity of Infections in Rodents From Mudflat Wetlands Along the Eastern Coast of Jiangsu Province in China.

To investigate the infection status, species composition, and genetic diversity of in local rodent populations in coastal mudflat wetland habitats in eastern Jiangsu Province of China. From March to June 2023, rodents were captured in mudflat wetlands of Dongtai and Tinghu Counties, Eastern China. Rodent species were identified, and nucleic acids were extracted from liver and spleen tissues. The mitochondrial cytochrome b (mt-) gene was amplified by PCR, while -specific citrate synthase () and 16S rRNA genes were amplified by semi-nested PCR. Phylogenetic and homology analyses were conducted to identify rodent and species. Among 29 captured rodents, 26 were and 3 were . Phylogenetic analysis of the mt- gene divided into 7 lineages, each linked to geographically diverse populations. Six rodents tested positive for , with a positivity rate of 20.69%. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three species: , , and one undetermined species. The infected strains clustered into three evolutionary branches based on and 16S rRNA genes. This study provides the first evidence of infection among rodent populations in wetland habitats along China's eastern coast. The region harbors diverse rodent species, with a high infection rate, and at least three species were identified, including a potential novel species.