Foci of yersiniosis infections in the Crimean Peninsula
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction. A significant increase in morbidity and a high rates of infection among small mammals in a number of areas have determined a significant worsening of the epidemiological situation with yersiniosis. Objective. To determine the actual boundaries of natural and anthropurgical yersiniosis foci in the Crimean Peninsula. Materials and methods. 21 administrative districts of the Crimean Peninsula were surveyed. The study of collected samples was carried out according to approved methods. Results. In 2022, out of 1005 rodents captured, 31 were positive for enteric yersiniosis, 3 were positive for pseudotuberculosis. Yersinia enterocolitica strain O3 was isolated from 28 samples obtained from 6 rodent species from the territory of 5 districts of the Steppe Crimea, the Kerch Peninsula, and the foothills of the Main Ridge. Y. enterocolitica strain O9 was isolated from 3 samples obtained from 2 rodent species from the territory of 2 districts of the Steppe Crimea. Y. pseudotuberculosis was isolated from 3 samples obtained from 2 rodent species from the territory of 2 districts of the Steppe Crimea. In 2023, out of 857 rodents captured, 80 samples were positive for enteric yersiniosis and 2 were positive for pseudotuberculosis. Y. enterocolitica strain O3 was isolated from 79 samples obtained from 8 rodent species from the territory of 7 districts of the Mountainous Crimea and the foothills of the main ridge, Steppe Crimea, Sevastopol, Kerch Peninsula. Y. enterocolitica strain O9 was isolated from 1 sample obtained from 1 rodent species from the territory of the 1st district of the Kerch Peninsula. Y. pseudotuberculosis was isolated from 2 samples obtained from 2 rodent species from the territory of 2 districts: Steppe Crimea and Sevastopol. Discussion. All species that form the basis of the faunal complex of small mammals of the Crimean Peninsula are a reservoir of Yersinia. At the same time, the number of positive findings does not depend on the total number of rodents, but is directly proportional to the dominance index: steppe mouse → house mouse → social vole. Conclusion. On the territory of 10 administrative districts of the Crimean Peninsula (Dzhankoysky, Krasnogvardeysky, Belogorsky, Bakhchisaraysky, Simferopolsky, Kirovsky, Saksky, Leninsky, Pervomaisky districts, as well as Sevastopol) natural foci of yersiniosis and pseudotuberculosis were identified. Pathogens have been found in rodents of 9 species. In the territory of Sevastopol that has been considered previously as non-enzootic for the group of yersiniosis infections, a new anthropurgical foci was identified in 2023.
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408976314