FBIP: Cataloguing zoonotic tick-borne bacterial pathogen strain diversity in wild rodent species in rural South Africa

Study Extent

South Africa (Mpumalanga) in Mnisi

Sampling

-Ethical clearance through the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) of the University of Pretoria was obtained (V046-14 and V030-14). -302 rodent blood samples across three habitat types (urban/periurban, communal rangelands, adjacent protected rangeland areas) in Mnisi has already been collected. Further Trapping will be done using Sherman-type traps; five sites will be pre-selected per habitat type; 50 traps will be used/site for up to 5 consecutive days. Traps will be baited with peanut butter, oats and marmite, checked twice/day. We aim to trap at least 15-20 individuals of 10 main species of rodents in each of the habitat types (n=600). Targeted species will be euthanized, blood will be collected immediately after euthanasian by cardiocentesis. Carcasses will be placed individually in sealed plastic bags and frozen.

Quality Control

NA

Method steps

1. -Apart from identifying rodent species by means of the Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa (Stuart & Stuart, 2001), species verification will be done using sequence analysis of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) -Catalogue the occurrence of the tick-borne bacterial pathogens present in wild rodent species by DNA analysis of the rodent microbiome. -Establish the genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum strains by using specific gene markers.

Catalogue the tick-borne bacterial pathogen strain diversity present in wild rodent species

1. Anaplasma
   common name: Bacteria rank: genus
2. Mastomys
   common name: Rodents rank: genus

South Africa (Mpumalanga)