Borrelia burgdorferi in a focus of Lyme borreliosis: epizootiologic contribution of small mammals.

The contribution of woodmice (Apodemus sylvaticus), yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) was compared in a focus of Lyme borreliosis in Switzerland during a 7 months' study. All three species of mice and one species of shrews (Sorex araneus) were shown parasitized by infected Ixodes ricinus immatures. About 14% of larvae and 50% of nymphs collected on small mammals were infected with B. burgdorferi. Spirochetes were isolated from blood of 3 woodmice and one yellow-necked mouse. The infectious status of rodents was estimated by tick xenodiagnosis. Prevalence of infected rodents ranged from 20% to 44%. Mice presented a higher potential infectivity than voles. The prevalence of infected rodents showed a seasonal variation.