Rodent malaria parasites detected in the invasive Rattus rattus in Gabon

TL;DR

Invasive black rats in Gabon were found to carry rodent malaria parasites, suggesting they might play a role in local parasite transmission.

Contribution

First molecular detection of Plasmodium yoelii in invasive Rattus rattus in Africa.

Findings

Two Rattus rattus individuals tested positive for Plasmodium yoelii.

Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the parasite's identity with local native rodent strains.

This suggests Rattus rattus may act as an incidental host in local malaria transmission.

Abstract

Invasive species are increasingly recognized for their role in reshaping host–parasite dynamics. This study reports the first molecular detection of Plasmodium yoelii in the invasive black rat (Rattus rattus) in Gabon, based on a systematic molecular screening of 527 rodents captured in rural villages between 2021 and 2022. Two R. rattus individuals tested positive for P. yoelii, 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 R. rattus as a potential, albeit likely incidental, host within local Plasmodium 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.

Image 1

•Natural infection of Rattus rattus by rodent Plasmodium.•First detection of Plasmodium yoelii in invasive Rattus rattus in Africa.•Rattus rattus may act as an incidental reservoir of rodent malaria.

Natural infection of Rattus rattus by rodent Plasmodium.

First detection of Plasmodium yoelii in invasive Rattus rattus in Africa.

Rattus rattus may act as an incidental reservoir of rodent malaria.

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