Skip to the main content

Journal of the Forestry (Šumarski list), Vol. 142 No. 9-10, 2018.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.142.9-10.3

Prevalence of Francisella tularensis in the population of small mammals species in continental forests of Croatia

Mirna Mihelčić orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-8241-1721 ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka
Josipa Habuš ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Marko Vucelja ; Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb
Petra Svoboda ; University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević“, Zagreb
Ivan-Christian Kurolt orcid id orcid.org/0000-0001-9536-1009 ; University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević“, Zagreb
Alemka Markotić ; University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević“, Zagreb
Nenad Turk ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb
Josip Margaletić ; Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb
Marina Šantić orcid id orcid.org/0000-0003-4138-3581 ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka

Full text: english pdf 271 Kb

page 481-485

downloads: 643

cite

Abstract

Francisella tularensisis is a causative agent of tularemia a zoonotic disease that infects wide range of hosts including arthropods, mammals and birds. In this study, the prevalence of tularemia among small mammals in Croatia was investigated. The 444 samples of small rodents and insectivores were collected in eight different localities in continental Croatia during the 2-year study. Spleen samples of: 197 Apodemus agrarius (striped field mouse), 78 Apodemus sylvaticus (wood mouse), 92 Apodemus flavicollis (yellow-necked mouse), 17 Myodes glareolus (bank vole), 27 Mycrotus agrestis (field vole), 20 Microtus arvalis (common vole) and 13 Sorex araneus (common shrew) were investigated for the presence of DNA of Francisella spp. using qRT-PCR method. Two striped field mouses and one wood mouse, originated from the same area - locality of Lipovljani, were found to be positive on Francisella spp. revealing the presence of bacteria among small mammals population in Croatia.

Keywords

<i>Francisella</i>; Tularemia; DNA; Small rodents; Insectivores; Reservoirs; Endemic areas; Croatia; Prevalence

Hrčak ID:

207286

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/207286

Publication date:

31.10.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 2.235 *