Common shrew (Suncus murinus): A potential reservoir of pathogenic bacteria at poultry farms,Rawalpindi,Pakistan

The prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in fecal matter,urine and blood of common shrew (suncus murinus) inhabiting poultry farms was studied. thirteen shrews were captured and checked for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. prevalence of escherichia coli and proteus spp. was 61.5% and 15.38% in fecal matter,respectively. prevalence of salmonella spp. was 69.2% in fecal matter and urine. it is concluded that common shrews serve as reservoir of pathogenic bacteria that can be prevented by adopting suitable strategies to eliminate the shrew populations from the poultry farms. copyright 2012 zoological society of pakistan.