Prevalence of zoonotic nematode <i>Calodium hepaticum</i> varies with small mammal community diversity across a heterogenous landscape in Eastern Uganda

<i>Calodium hepaticum</i> (syn. <i>Capillaria hepatica</i>) is a generalist nematode that infects liver parenchyma of mammals worldwide and can cause human infections. Prevalence ranges from 0% to 100% in wildlife across small geographic areas, making it an ideal parasite for understanding ecological drivers of variation given intensive land use or cover change. Here, we quantify prevalence of <i>Calodium hepaticum</i> and present initial surveys of synanthropic small mammals. Cross-sectional rodent trapping was conducted within and around households over 2 consecutive dry seasons in 4 villages with differing land cover. DNA was extracted from liver tissue and the 18s rRNA gene of <i>C. hepaticum</i> was amplified to confirm presence of <i>C. hepaticum.</i> Landscape structural diversity was classified by tree crown density and mean canopy height derived from 30 m LiDAR data within a 0.5 km buffer. Multivariable binomial generalized linear models were fit to <i>C. hepaticum</i> prevalence. <i>Calodium hepaticum</i> infection was common (overall 34.5%, CI 95%: 27.9-41.0) and found in rodent and shrew species inside and outside residences. We observe village-level differences in prevalence (18.2-75.0%), with higher <i>C. hepaticum</i> prevalence associated with lower relative proportion of native rodent species to <i>Rattus rattus</i> (adjusted OR = 0.55, CI 95%: 0.33-0.92). Host diversity appears to be protective against parasite prevalence. Differences in molecular and gross parasitological identification highlight challenges in diagnosis and a need for more specialized molecular tools. Further investigation is required to understand individual host and community variation in pathogen infection intensity and implications for zoonotic risk.