The importance of vectors and vector-borne diseases (VBDs) is increasing on a global scale. Many vectors and pathogens benefit from global warming and can spread to novel habitats where they were formerly not present, including higher altitudes. Various vector-borne pathogens (VBPs), such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, have been reported in, for instance, red foxes and wild ungulates in the Western Austrian Alps. However, these animals are known to migrate to lower regions in the winter season, and therefore, it is of interest to investigate if VBPs are also present in mammals faithful to their higher altitude alpine habitat all year round. Blood parasites and other VBPs, namely. Trypanosomatidae, piroplasms, Hepatozoon spp., filarioid helminths, Anaplasmataceae, and Rickettisa spp., were thus analysed with PCR in 148 alpine marmots (Marmota marmota). None of the marmots’ blood samples was positive for these VBPs, indicating a low abundance or absence of competent vectors in the alpine region. Alpine marmots seem to be naïve for VBPs (at least in our study area). An overview of VBD agents in other marmot species is given.

在全球范围内，媒介和媒介传播疾病（VBD）的重要性正在增加。许多媒介和病原体会从全球变暖中受益，并可以传播到以前不存在的新型栖息地，包括更高的海拔。在奥地利西部阿尔卑斯山的赤狐和野生有蹄类动物中，已经报道了各种媒介传播的病原体（VBP），例如嗜热无浆膜无花果。但是，已知这些动物会在冬季迁徙到较低的地区，因此，有必要研究在全年都忠于其较高海拔高山栖息地的哺乳动物中是否也存在VBP。就是血液寄生虫和其他VBP。锥虫科，原虫，肝虫属，丝虫蠕虫，无性科和Rickettisa属，从而进行分析用PCR在148只高山土拨鼠（旱獭旱獭）。这些土拨鼠的土拨鼠血样均无阳性，表明在高寒地区丰度低或缺乏有效的载体。高山土拨鼠似乎对于VBP来说是幼稚的（至少在我们的研究区域中）。概述了其他土拨鼠物种中的VBD因子。