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. 2017 Aug;23(8):1377-1379.
doi: 10.3201/eid2308.161194.

Density-Dependent Prevalence of Francisella tularensis in Fluctuating Vole Populations, Northwestern Spain

Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor, Raquel Escudero, Dolors Vidal, François Mougeot, Beatriz Arroyo, Xavier Lambin, Ave Maria Vila-Coro, Isabel Rodríguez-Moreno, Pedro Anda, Juan J Luque-Larena

Density-Dependent Prevalence of Francisella tularensis in Fluctuating Vole Populations, Northwestern Spain

Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

Tularemia in humans in northwestern Spain is associated with increases in vole populations. Prevalence of infection with Francisella tularensis in common voles increased to 33% during a vole population fluctuation. This finding confirms that voles are spillover agents for zoonotic outbreaks. Ecologic interactions associated with tularemia prevention should be considered.

Keywords: Francisella tularensis; Spain; bacteria; density-dependent prevalence; fluctuating populations; outbreaks; prevalence; tularemia; voles; wildlife; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Vole abundance and tularemia prevalence, northwestern Spain. A) Temporal variations in vole abundance (no. captures/100 traps/24 h) and tularemia prevalence. Four voles were tested in March 2013, 15 in July 2013, 32 in November 2013, 63 in March 2014, 102 in July 2014, 19 in November 2014, and 8 in March 2015. B) Relationship between tularemia prevalence and vole abundance. Histograms show number of positive (top) or negative (bottom) voles sampled at each level of vole density. Curved line indicates a generalized linear model result.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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