Abstract
ABSTRACTTo investigate the spectrum of rat-borne pathogens circulating in Europe a systematic review spanning across 55 European countries during the years 1995–2016 was performed. The study surveyed viruses, bacteria, macroparasites and unicellular eukaryotes (protozoa). Fifty-three different infectious agents, all with zoonotic potential, were reported to be carried by commensal rats; 48 by the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and 20 by the black rat (R. rattus). There was a tendency for rural areas to harbour more rat-borne microbes than urban areas regarding the brown rat, but the opposite could be observed for the black rat. The study clearly indicated that an improved surveillance on wild rats is needed in Europe, and further indicated the pathogens and geographical areas where the major focus is required. For example, six zoonotic microbes seemed to be clearly more geographically widespread in Europe than others; virulent or resistant E. coli, pathogenic Leptospira spp., Hymenolepis diminuta, H. nana, Capillaria hepatica and Toxoplasma gondii.
Highlights
Several rat-borne zoonotic pathogens and their associated diseases such as hantavirus infections and leptospirosis have recently emerged or re-emerged in Europe (e.g. [1,2])
This review is not intended as an overview for the various rat species, the brown rat seems to cover the major parts of Europe to date, in contrast to the black rat, which is mainly focused to the warmer coasts and oceanic islands
There are 164 helminth species reported to be carried by R. norvegicus, 156 for R. rattus, and only 65 helminths that are common for both R. rattus and R. norvegicus [12]
Summary
Several rat-borne zoonotic pathogens and their associated diseases such as hantavirus infections and leptospirosis have recently emerged or re-emerged in Europe (e.g. [1,2]). Brown and black rats (Rattus norvegicus, Berkenhout, 1769, and R. rattus, Linneaus, 1758) originated in Asia and are to date present all over the globe alongside humans [5–7]. These rodents have introduced pathogenic microorganisms such as e.g. Yersinia pestis, Bartonella and hantavirus into many new geographically areas [8–11]. Both black and brown rats have acquired new macroparasites outside their native ranges [12]. They act as efficient transmitters of pathogens between wildlife, domestic animals, vectors and humans
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