The presence of tularemia (Francisella tularensis) in Apodemus sp. In the Belgrade forest area

Tularemia, zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis, is considered endemic to the Balkan Peninsula. Main reservoirs of the disease are rodents, which usually show no clinical signs and are a potential disease source for other animals and humans. We investigated the presence of Francisella tularensis in Apodemus sp. The capture of individuals of field rodents was carried out at the edge of the forest, near the promenade or places for recreation in the Belgrade area. A total of 96 small field rodents were collected during the autumn 2023 in three forested regions. Tissue samples were taken and pooled samples were prepared for all tested animals (71 A. agrarius, 13 A. flavicolis, 12 A. sylvaticus). F. tularensis was detected by PCR, using primers TUL4-435 and TUL4-863. 13 samples tested positive on PCR while 7 of those have been proven to belong to F. tularensis subsp. holartica by sequencing. F. tularensis was detected in animals in all three areas. All positive individuals belong to A. agrarius. It was concluded that F. tularensis is present in wood mice in the Belgrade region. The present study was funded by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovations of the Republic of Serbia (Grants No. 451-03-66/2024-03/200143 and 451-03-66/2024-03/200214).