What can you catch from field mice? - briefly
Field mice are reservoirs for zoonotic agents including hantavirus, leptospira, salmonella, and various ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks that may transmit diseases. They may also harbor bacterial pathogens like Borrelia spp. and protozoan parasites such as Giardia.
What can you catch from field mice? - in detail
Field mice serve as reservoirs for a range of infectious agents and parasites that can be transmitted to humans, domestic animals, and other wildlife.
Pathogenic bacteria commonly isolated from these rodents include «Yersinia pestis», the causative agent of plague; «Salmonella enterica», responsible for salmonellosis; «Leptospira interrogans», which causes leptospirosis; and «Bartonella spp.» linked to cat‑scratch disease and other febrile illnesses.
Viral agents frequently detected are «Hantavirus», associated with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome; «Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)», causing meningitis and encephalitis; and «Arenaviruses», some of which can lead to severe hemorrhagic fevers.
Fungal pathogens such as «Histoplasma capsulatum» can be present in rodent droppings, posing a risk of respiratory infection when aerosolized.
Parasitic infestations encompass both external and internal organisms. Ectoparasites include «Xenopsylla spp.» fleas, «Ornithonyssus sylviarum» mites, and «Ixodes ricinus» ticks, each capable of transmitting additional diseases. Endoparasites identified in field mice comprise nematodes like «Trichuris muris», cestodes such as «Hymenolepis diminuta», and protozoa including «Giardia duodenalis» and «Cryptosporidium spp.».
Allergic reactions may arise from rodent urine, saliva, and dander, with proteins that trigger hypersensitivity in susceptible individuals.
Collectively, the spectrum of agents recoverable from field mice underscores their epidemiological significance and the necessity for appropriate control measures in environments where human–rodent interactions occur.