Scientists from the Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animal SB RAS, together with Armenian colleagues, studied how toxoplasmosis spreads among rodents and outskirts. This parasite – toxoplasma gondii – can infect people and animals, most often through food or water polluted by cat feces.
Cats are infected, hunting for small mammals, so it is especially important to understand which animals can be carriers. In Armenia, the blood was investigated 137 animals of 14 species.
It turned out that about 10% of rodents were infected with toxoplasma. Forest Sonya had the most positive results, and only males. Perhaps this is due to their lifestyle or nutrition.
But at the shocks of the parasite, they did not find in any case. Scientists believe that this may be associated with the characteristics of their body – they have a very quick metabolism and a simplified digestive system.
Researchers plan to continue work in order to more accurately find out the reasons for such stability.
