Occurence and prevalence of bacterium \kur{Francisella tularensis\kur{}} and \kur{Borrelia burgdorferi\kur{}} in small mammals at a model site

Karla NAVRÁTILOVÁ

Bakalářská práce

Abstract:

In this thesis, 892 samples collected from several species of small mammals between the years 2014 and 2023 were analysed for the bacteria F. tularensis and 387 samples collected between 2020 and 2023 were analysed for B. burgdorferi as well. The objective was to analyse the prevalence of each of the pathogens in different small mammal species, as well as to analyse the small mammal population dynamics based on the species caught for sampling each year. The samples were obtained in the locality Salaš, Czech Republic, and were tested for the pathogens with real-time PCR methods. A total of 10 small mammal species were trapped for sampling as well as Apodemus species group. The focus was on the prevalence of the pathogens and their changes in occurrence over time. Additionally, the sample origins were compared as well to get a better understanding of prevalence of small mammal species in the area. While there were no samples positive for F. tularensis, positive results for B. burgdorferi were fairly common (prevalences of 9.5% and 10% in rodents and insectivores respectively). As the samples were collected from the same sites each year, it was also possible to determine that Apodemus spp. is the most prevalent group of small mammals in the area (54% of the trapped animals).

Abstract:

In this thesis, 892 samples collected from several species of small mammals between the years 2014 and 2023 were analysed for the bacteria F. tularensis and 387 samples collected between 2020 and 2023 were analysed for B. burgdorferi as well. The objective was to analyse the prevalence of each of the pathogens in different small mammal species, as well as to analyse the small mammal population dynamics based on the species caught for sampling each year. The samples were obtained in the locality Salaš, Czech Republic, and were tested for the pathogens with real-time PCR methods. A total of 10 small mammal species were trapped for sampling as well as Apodemus species group. The focus was on the prevalence of the pathogens and their changes in occurrence over time. Additionally, the sample origins were compared as well to get a better understanding of prevalence of small mammal species in the area. While there were no samples positive for F. tularensis, positive results for B. burgdorferi were fairly common (prevalences of 9.5% and 10% in rodents and insectivores respectively). As the samples were collected from the same sites each year, it was also possible to determine that Apodemus spp. is the most prevalent group of small mammals in the area (54% of the trapped animals).

Keywords

Francisella tularensis, Borrelia burgdorferi, borreliosis, tularemia, rodent, insectivore, Southern Moravia

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 31. 3. 2025

Zveřejnit od: 31. 12. 2999

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: Mgr. Alena Balážová, Ph.D.

Veterinární univerzita Brno

Fakulta veterinární hygieny a ekologie

Bakalářský studijní program / obor:
Animal Protection and Welfare / Animal Protection and Welfare