Rodent-Related Zoonotic Pathogens at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface in Qatar: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Rodents are one of the most diversified terrestrial mammals, and they perform several beneficial activities in nature. These animals are also important as carriers of many pathogens with public health importance. The current systematic review was conducted to formulate a true depiction of rodent-related zoonoses in Qatar. Following systematic searches on PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science and a screening process, a total of 94 published articles were selected and studied. The studied articles reported 23 rodent-related zoonotic pathogens that include nine bacterial, eleven parasitic, and three viral pathogens, from which the frequently reported pathogens were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (32 reports), Escherichia coli (23), and Salmonella spp. (16). The possible pathway of entry of the rodent-borne pathogens can be the land port, seaports, and airport of Qatar through carrier humans and animals, contaminated food, and agricultural products. The pathogens can be conserved internally by rodents, pets, and livestock; by agricultural production systems; and by food marketing chains. The overall estimated pooled prevalence of the pathogens among the human population was 4.27% (95%CI: 4.03–4.51%; p < 0.001) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 99.50%). The top three highest prevalent pathogens were M.tuberculosis (30.90%; 22.75–39.04%; p < 0.001; I2 = 99.70%) followed by Toxoplasma gondii (21.93%; 6.23–37.61%; p < 0.001; I2 = 99.30%) and hepatitis E virus (18.29%; 11.72–24.86%; p < 0.001; I2 = 96.70%). However, there is a knowledge gap about the listed pathogens regarding the occurrence, transmission pathways, and rodent role in transmission dynamics at the human–animal–environment interface in Qatar. Further studies are required to explore the role of rodents in spreading zoonotic pathogens through the One Health framework, consisting of zoologists, ecologists, microbiologists, entomologists, veterinarians, and public health experts in this country.

Meteorological change and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome epidemic in China, 2004–2018

“…DLNM was used to explore the monthly lag effects of different climate factors on HFRS, and the lag effects vary across climatic factors was uncovered. The different lag periods suggested that the delayed effects of each climate variable may be related to the spread of HFRS infection being influenced by various factors, including the density of host rodents, hantavirus positivity, and frequency of exposure to humans, etc 21,22 . DLNM, by Sun et al in Huludao City, Northeast China, conducted and identified extremely high temperature with a lag of 15-16 weeks, extremely low temperature with a lag of 5-6 weeks, extremely high humidity with a 10-11 weeks lag being strongly associated with HFRS.…”

Prevalence of Bartonella spp. in rodent and shrew species trapped in Kigoma and Morogoro Regions, Tanzania: A public health concern

“…This variation could be explained by the observed differences in the abundance and diversity of rodents from different sampled habitats, as earlier explained by Mardosaitė et al (2021). Additionally, close contacts between rodent species, humans and other animals in human-related activities may contribute to the variation in prevalence (Islam et al, 2021).…”

Exploring rat meat consumption patterns, and perception of risks regarding urban rats; implications for rat-borne zoonoses outbreaks and drug resistant pathogens spread in urban areas of Ghana

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