Abstract
ABSTRACTAims: Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) and Leptospira spp. are zoonotic pathogens with rats as main reservoir. Recently, the presence of SEOV in brown rats was reported in one region in the Netherlands. Brown rats are a frequent bycatch in traps placed to catch muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) and coypus (Myocastor coypus), and thus are a potential health risk for trappers. It was our aim to determine the seroprevalence of orthohantavirus, specifically SEOV, and Leptospira spp in Dutch trappers. Methods and results: Participating trappers provided serum samples and completed an online questionnaire. The serum was tested for the presence of antibodies against six orthohantaviruses and eight Leptospira serovars. Two hundred-sixty trappers completed the online questionnaire (65%), and 246 (61%) and 162 (40%) serum samples were tested for relevant orthohantaviruses and Leptospira spp., respectively. The seroprevalence of Puumala orthohantavirus in Dutch trappers was 0.4% (95% CI: 0.1–2.3%). None of the participants tested positive for SEOV. The seroprevalence of leptospirosis was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.3–4.4%), although Leptospira spp. are present in brown rats in the Netherlands.Significance of study: The results indicate that the infections with orthohantaviruses and leptospires is low for muskrat and coypu trappers.
Highlights
Rats are important carriers of zoonotic pathogens [1] and handling of these animal species may increase the risk of transmission of zoonoses
In the Netherlands, an increase in human leptospirosis has been seen in recent years [8,9] and while over 100 cases of Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV) infections have been reported since 2008, no Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) infections related to wild rats have been diagnosed in humans to date
Brown rats are a frequent bycatch in traps comprising 34% of those animals in 2015 [12]
Summary
Rats are important carriers of zoonotic pathogens [1] and handling of these animal species may increase the risk of transmission of zoonoses. Cross-sectional studies testing brown rats for leptospires in the period 2011–2015 showed positivity rates ranging from 33% to 57% per area, tested by real-time PCR and/or culture [unpublished data]. Previous cross-sectional monitoring studies in 150 brown rats in three different Dutch areas performed from 2011 to 2015 found no evidence of SEOV [unpublished data]. Symptoms associated with infection are fever, headache, backache, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Most common symptoms are fever, (severe) headache, muscle pain, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms. In the Netherlands, an increase in human leptospirosis has been seen in recent years [8,9] and while over 100 cases of PUUV infections have been reported since 2008, no SEOV infections related to wild rats have been diagnosed in humans to date
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