Potentially zoonotic pathogens and parasites in opportunistically sourced urban brown rats () in and around Helsinki, Finland, 2018 to 2023.

BackgroundBrown rats () are synanthropic rodents with worldwide distribution, which are known to harbour many zoonotic pathogens and parasites. No systematic zoonotic surveys targeting multiple pathogens and parasites have previously been conducted in urban rats in Finland.AimIn Helsinki, Finland, we explored the presence and prevalence in brown rats of certain pathogens and parasites (including helminths, viruses and bacteria) across potentially zoonotic taxa.