Source: Veterinary 33
A six-year study led by Tufts University and collaborators has revealed that urban rats in Boston are significant carriers of Leptospira bacteria, the cause of leptospirosis—a potentially fatal disease affecting humans and animals. The research, spanning from 2016 to 2022, involved analyzing kidney samples from 328 rats across 17 city sites, with 59 rats testing positive for the bacteria. Genetic analysis linked a 2018 human leptospirosis case directly to strains found in local rats, underscoring the public health risk.
The study also found that rat populations maintain distinct bacterial strains, with limited intermingling due to urban barriers like major roads, while green spaces facilitate some migration. Innovatively, researchers successfully cultured Leptospira from frozen rat kidneys—a first in scientific literature—enhancing future pathogen tracking. These findings highlight the need for targeted urban pest control strategies that consider rat movement patterns to mitigate disease spread.