Which diseases are rats carriers of? - briefly
Rats serve as reservoirs for leptospirosis, plague (Yersinia pestis), hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, salmonellosis, rat‑bite fever (Streptobacillus moniliformis), and several murine viruses including lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Transmission occurs through contaminated urine, feces, bites, or aerosolized particles from infected rodents.
Which diseases are rats carriers of? - in detail
Rats serve as reservoirs for a wide range of pathogens that affect humans and domestic animals. The most significant infections include bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal agents.
Bacterial illnesses transmitted by rodents:
- Leptospirosis – caused by Leptospira spp.; spread through contact with urine‑contaminated water or soil; symptoms range from fever and headache to severe kidney or liver failure.
- Plague – Yersinia pestis; fleas acquire the bacteria from infected rodents and bite humans; results in bubonic, septicemic, or pneumonic forms, each characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and potentially fatal organ damage.
- Tularemia – Francisella tularensis; infection occurs via bites, inhalation, or handling of contaminated carcasses; presents with fever, ulcerated skin lesions, and respiratory distress.
- Salmonellosis – Salmonella spp.; rodents contaminate food and surfaces with feces; causes gastroenteritis, fever, and dehydration.
- Rat‑bite fever – Streptobacillus moniliformis (North America) or Spirillum minus (Asia); transmitted through rodent bites or scratches; produces fever, rash, and joint pain.
Viral diseases linked to rat populations:
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome – hantaviruses carried by wild rats and other rodents; inhalation of aerosolized urine, droppings, or saliva leads to severe respiratory failure and high mortality.
- Lassa fever – Lassa virus; endemic in West Africa, spread by the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis); transmission through contact with rodent excreta or contaminated food, causing hemorrhagic fever.
- Rat coronavirus (RCV) – primarily affects laboratory rat colonies; while not a major human pathogen, it illustrates the capacity of rats to harbor coronaviruses.
Parasitic infections associated with rats:
- Arenavirus infections – include hemorrhagic fevers transmitted by rodent excreta.
- Tapeworms – Hymenolepis nana and Hymenolepis diminuta; eggs shed in rodent feces can be ingested by humans, leading to abdominal pain and nutritional deficiencies.
- Protozoa – Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp.; water contaminated with rodent feces can cause diarrheal disease.
Fungal pathogens:
- Candida spp. – rats can act as carriers of opportunistic yeasts that may contaminate hospital environments and affect immunocompromised patients.
Transmission routes commonly involve direct bites, scratches, inhalation of aerosolized secretions, ingestion of contaminated food or water, and indirect spread via fleas, mites, or other arthropod vectors. Preventive measures focus on rodent control, sanitation, protective equipment for high‑risk occupations, and prompt medical treatment after exposure.