@article{fdi:010094360,
  title = {{R}odent malaria parasites detected in the invasive {R}attus rattus in {G}abon},
  author = {{M}bou-{B}outambe, {C}. and {B}oundenga, {L}. and {D}egrugillier, {F}. and {G}authier, {P}hilippe and {A}rnathau, {C}. and {R}ivero, {A}. and {G}ranjon, {L}aurent and {R}ougeron, {V}. and {P}rugnolle, {F}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}nvasive species are increasingly recognized for their role in reshaping host-parasite dynamics. {T}his study reports the first molecular detection of {P}lasmodium yoelii in the invasive black rat ({R}attus rattus) in {G}abon, based on a systematic molecular screening of 527 rodents captured in rural villages between 2021 and 2022. {T}wo {R}. rattus individuals tested positive for {P}. yoelii, with phylogenetic analysis confirming identity with strains previously isolated from native rodents in the region. {T}hese 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 {P}lasmodium transmission networks. {D}espite 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.},
  keywords = {{B}lack rat ; {P}lasmodium yoelii ; {I}nvasive species ; {R}ural areas ; {G}abon ; {GABON}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{I}nternational {J}ournal for {P}arasitology : {P}arasites and {W}ildlife},
  volume = {27},
  numero = {},
  pages = {101112 [8 p.]},
  ISSN = {2213-2244},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101112},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094360},
}