Russia has a number of historical foci of zoonotic anthropogenic diseases. In Central Russia, the Republic of Mordovia is one of such areas, a region being known to have foci of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and tularemia. It therefore requires continuous monitoring. The role of small terrestrial mammals as reservoirs of zoonoses has been previously proven for the region. The aim of this work is to take an integrated approach to assess the role of terrestrial and subterranean small mammals. Subterranean mammals are often not considered important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens that cause human morbidity. Among small mammals in the wild environment, the bank vole, the yellow-necked mouse and the house mouse play important roles as vectors of zoonoses. Among wild subterranean mammals, the greater mole rat is important as a vector of tularemia and HFRS.We analyzed homogenized internal organs of these animals (lungs, spleen, kidneys). Of all samples from the greater mole rat, 83% were positive for tularemia antigens and 17% were positive for HFRS. None of the analyzed European moles had antigens of tularemia and HFRS. No double infection with both tularemia and hantavirus was detected in the subterranean mammals. Double infection was found among terrestrial mammals in the bank vole and the forest dormouse.
Andreychev A., Boyarova E., Brandler O., Tukhbatullin A., Kapustina S. Terrestrial and subterranean mammals as reservoirs of zoonotic diseases in the central part of European Russia // Diversity. 2023. V. 15. № 1. P. 39

Republic of Mordovia in Russia is a historical focus for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and tularemia. This study aimed at assessing the current status of these foci by studying their rodent reservoirs. Among the small rodents in Mordovia, the red bank vole, the common vole and the house mouse play an important role as carriers of zoonotic diseases. However, it is necessary to take into account the role of such а small species as forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula), which has a high percentage of infection. Of all examined dormice, 66.7 % were found to have antigens of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome viral pathogen, and 33.3 % - to have antigens of tularemia pathogen. Only one specimen (16.7 %) was found to have no antigens of zoonotic diseases. Our study concluded that the forest dormouse in the Republic of Mordovia was incriminated as a pathogen reservoir causing infectious diseases in human
Andreychev A., Boyarova E. Forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula, Rodentia, Gliridae) - a highly contagious rodent in relation to zoonotic diseases // Forestry Ideas. 2020. V. 26. № 1. P. 262–269.

The results of identifying tularemia foci using the predatory bird pellets in the central part ot Russia using the example of the Republic of Mordovia are presented. The efficacy of tularemia detection in pellets compared with other biomaterials has been shown. The average content of the tularemia microbe antigen from the predatory bird pellets was 9.4%. The greatest number of registrations of the causative agent of tularemia in the pellets was observed in Eagle Owl (29,2%). To a lesser extent, the pathogen was detected in the Ural Owl (14 7%). The tularemia pathogen was detected more often in the bird predator pellets than in the bioma’erial from rodents. The largest share of positive samples was recorded in the riverine districts. The dynamics of identifying the causative agent of tularemia should be noted in 2015, 2017 and 2018. which are characterized by high values of the indicator.
Andreychev A., Boyarova E., Lapshin A., Kuznetsov V. Detection of foci of tularemia using enzyme immunoassay for the predatory bird pellets // Periodico Tche Quimica. 2019. V. 16. № 31. P. 632–641.