Survey of rodent-borne pathogens in Singapore reveals the circulation of Leptospira spp., Seoul hantavirus, and Rickettsia typhi

Abstract

Rodents living alongside humans increases the probability of encounter and also the transmission of rodent-borne diseases. Singapore's cosmopolitan urban landscape provides a perfect setting to study the prevalence of four rodent-borne pathogens: Seoul hantavirus (SEOV), Leptospira species, Rickettsia typhi and Yersinia pestis, and identify the potential risk factors which may influence rodent density and transmission of rodent-borne diseases. A total of 1143 rodents were trapped from 10 unique landscape structures throughout Singapore. Real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reactions were used to detect pathogenic and intermediate Leptospira spp. and Yersinia pestis, whereas the seroprevalence of SEOV and R. typhi were analysed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Immunofluorescence Assay respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between prevalence of infection in rodent reservoirs and risk factors. Most of the rodents were caught in public residential developments (62.2%). Among the tested rodents, 42.4% were infected with Leptospira spp., while 35.5% and 32.2% were seropositive for SEOV and R. typhi respectively, whereas Yersinia pestis was not detected. Furthermore, risk factors including habitat, species, gender, and weight of rodents, influenced prevalence of infection to a varying extent. This study highlights the presence of Leptospira spp., SEOV and R. typhi in Singapore's rodent population, suggesting the need for effective rodent management and sanitation strategies to prevent further circulation and transmission to humans.