Article ID: JJID.2017.301
In this study, systematic surveillance of rodent population in Nanchang of China and determination of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in rodents were performed. Between 2011 and 2015, 110,084 rodent snap traps were set in 4 Counties and the city center of Nanchang, China. Finally, 942 rodents were captured with the relative densities of 0.86%. The densities varied considerably by geographical difference and Anyi was the most rodent-infested County. Frequently captured rodents were sewer rats (Rattus norvegicus), house mice (Mus musculus) and Rattus flavipectus. Anaplasma genera were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 19 live rodents trapped by welded cages in Anyi and 6 were positive based on amplification of 16S rRNA. Sequence analysis revealed three variants of A. phagocytophilum in Nanchang. PCR analysis of the gltA (citrate synthase) gene found one sample positive for A. phagocytophilum infection. The sequence of A. phagocytophilum gltA gene formed a clade with and showed 99% identity to A. phagocytophilum previously described in rodents from south-eastern China. Taken together, our research indicates that commensal rodents are potential hosts for A. phagocytophilum and controlling rodent population may facilitate subsequent preventing HGA in Nanchang, China in the future.
