Rodent malaria parasites detected in the invasive Rattus rattus in Gabon
Invasive species are increasingly recognized for their role in reshaping host-parasite dynamics. This study reports the first molecular detection of <i>Plasmodium yoelii</i> in the invasive black rat (<i>Rattus rattus</i>) in Gabon, based on a systematic molecular screening of 527 rodents captured in rural villages between 2021 and 2022. Two <i>R. rattus</i> individuals tested positive for <i>P. yoelii</i>, with phylogenetic analysis confirming identity with strains previously isolated from native rodents in the region. These findings challenge the traditional view that rodent malaria parasites are restricted to native hosts and highlight <i>R. rattus</i> as a potential, albeit likely incidental, host within local <i>Plasmodium</i> transmission networks. Despite a low infection prevalence (0.38 %), this result raises important questions about the capacity of invasive rodents to integrate into local parasite cycles and influence disease dynamics.
Authors
- Larson Boundenga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9551-3017)
- Clark Mbou-Boutambe
- Franck Prugnolle (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8519-1253)
- Ana Rivero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7056-5846)
- Philippe Gauthier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8363-6845)
- Laurent Granjon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1182-3793)
- Virginie Rougeron (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5873-5681)
- Fanny Degrugillier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7404-1022)
- Céline Arnathau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0234-6462)
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (FR)
- Durham University (GB)
- Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Écologie, Génétique, Évolution et Contrôle (FR)
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR)
- Mère et enfant en milieu tropical : pathogènes, système de santé et transition épidémiologique (FR)
- Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (GA)
- Institut Agro Montpelier (FR)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR)
- Nelson Mandela University (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal for Parasitology Parasites and Wildlife
- Published
- 2025-07-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101112
- Primary Topic
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00