Common vole (Microtus arvalis) as a host for pathogens: a review

The common vole (Microtus arvalis) is a broadly distributed rodent species that can be found from central Spain to the western coast of Lake Baikal. It mainly inhabits open grassland habitat and crops, where it can cause damage, especially during outbreaks when population density can reach up to 3,000 individuals per hectare. The common vole is known as a reservoir of several pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. Cowpox virus, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, Lepto-spira kirschneri, Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii are pathogens with zoonotic potential that are transmitted to humans causing potentially severe dis-eases like cowpox, encephalitis, leptospirosis, tularemia and Q-fever. In addition, the common vole harbors Tula hantavirus, a pathogen without or with low zoonotic potential. Furthermore, hepatovirus and Microtus arvalis Cytomegalovirus 1 occur that are most likely non-zoonotic. As several zoonotic pathogens are potentially present in the common vole it seems appropriate to identify and sensitize risk groups, especially when outbreaks are likely to occur. The presence of pathogens should also be considered in population and behavioral studies of common voles where outcomes might be affected by the effects of these infections.