INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE Tularemia is a zoonotic disease, the most important hosts of which are rodents. Endemic regions and reservoirs of F. tularensis are not well-researched areas in Iran. The present study aimed to study F. tularensis infection in the rodent populations of western Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples were collected in different areas of Kabudar Ahang County in Hamadan province (west of Iran) from 2014 to 2017. Tularemia serological and molecular tests were conducted using the tube agglutination test and Real-time PCR method tracking the ISFtu2 gene. Positive serum samples were evaluated for cross-reactivity with brucellosis. RESULTS A total of 433 rodents, collected from 33 localities, were included in the study. The most abundant species belonged to the Persian jird (Meriones persicus; 75.5%), and Libyan jird (Meriones libycus; 10.1%). Among the studied samples, three (0.74 %) were seropositive and five (1.15%) were PCR positive. Seropositive samples were two M. persicus and one M. libycus, and PCR positive rodents were four M. persicus and one M. vinogradovi. Tularemia seropositive samples showed no cross-reactivity with brucellosis. CONCLUSION Given the presence of infection in rodents with tularemia agent in the studied area, it is crucial to elucidate the risks of rodent exposure to tularemia for physicians, health personnel and the general population.

中文翻译：

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伊朗西部哈马丹省啮齿动物中土拉弗朗西斯菌的血清学和分子学研究。

引言和目的Tularemia是一种人畜共患疾病，其中最重要的宿主是啮齿动物。Tularensis的特有区域和水库在伊朗不是经过充分研究的区域。本研究旨在研究伊朗西部啮齿动物种群中的土拉弗朗西斯菌感染。材料与方法2014年至2017年在哈马丹省（伊朗西部）的Kabudar Ahang县的不同地区收集了样本。使用试管凝集试验和实时PCR方法跟踪ISFtu2基因进行了Tularemia血清学和分子学测试。评价阳性血清样品与布鲁氏菌病的交叉反应性。结果从33个地方收集了总共433只啮齿动物。最丰富的物种属于波斯ji（Meriones persicus; 75.5％），和利比亚吉德（Meriones libycus; 10.1％）。在研究的样本中，三个（0.74％）是血清阳性，五个（1.15％）是PCR阳性。血清反应阳性的样品为2株粘虫和1株利比里亚菌，PCR阳性啮齿类动物为4株粘虫和1株葡萄球菌。Tularemia血清阳性样本显示与布鲁氏菌病无交叉反应。结论鉴于在研究区域啮齿类动物患有啮齿类动物病，因此，对于医生，卫生人员和一般人群来说，阐明啮齿类动物暴露于杜拉姆病的风险至关重要。Tularemia血清阳性样本显示与布鲁氏菌病无交叉反应。结论鉴于在研究区域啮齿类动物患有啮齿类动物病，因此，对于医生，卫生人员和一般人群来说，阐明啮齿类动物暴露于杜拉姆病的风险至关重要。Tularemia血清阳性样本显示与布鲁氏菌病无交叉反应。结论鉴于在研究区域啮齿类动物患有啮齿类动物病，因此，对于医生，卫生人员和一般人群来说，阐明啮齿类动物暴露于杜拉姆病的风险至关重要。