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Epidemics Sep 2017Bartonella spp. are erythrocytic bacteria transmitted via arthropod vectors, which infect a broad range of vertebrate hosts, including humans. We investigated...
Bartonella spp. are erythrocytic bacteria transmitted via arthropod vectors, which infect a broad range of vertebrate hosts, including humans. We investigated transmission dynamics and host-parasite-vector relationships for potentially zoonotic Bartonella spp. in invasive Rattus rattus hosts and associated arthropod ectoparasites in Madagascar. We identified five distinct species of Bartonella (B. elizabethae 1, B. elizabethae 2, B. phoceensis 1, B. rattimassiliensis 1, and B. tribocorum 1) infecting R. rattus rodents and their ectoparasites. We fit standard epidemiological models to species-specific age-prevalence data for the four Bartonella spp. with sufficient data, thus quantifying age-structured force of infection. Known zoonotic agents, B. elizabethae 1 and 2, were best described by models exhibiting high forces of infection in early age class individuals and allowing for recovery from infection, while B. phoceensis 1 and B. rattimassiliensis 1 were best fit by models of lifelong infection without recovery and substantially lower forces of infection. Nested sequences of B. elizabethae 1 and 2 were recovered from rodent hosts and their Synopsyllus fonquerniei and Xenopsylla cheopsis fleas, with a particularly high prevalence in the outdoor-dwelling, highland-endemic S. fonquerniei. These findings expand on force of infection analyses to elucidate the ecological niche of the zoonotic Bartonella elizabethae complex in Madagascar, hinting at a potential vector role for S. fonquerniei. Our analyses underscore the uniqueness of such ecologies for Bartonella species, which pose a variable range of potential zoonotic threats.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Vectors; Female; Madagascar; Male; Rats; Rodent Diseases; Rodentia
PubMed: 28351673
DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2017.03.004 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical... Apr 2011To assess the presence and identity of Bartonella species in a pool of human blood samples from DRC Congo.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the presence and identity of Bartonella species in a pool of human blood samples from DRC Congo.
METHODS
Blood (±120μL) was collected anonymously from Congolese patients and placed on calibrated filter papers. Bartonella serology determination was performed using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against six specific Bartonella antigens and Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) antigen. The end cut-off value for Bartonella sp. was a titre greater than 1:200.
RESULTS
None of the patients was positive for Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella vinsonii subsp. vinsonii or Bartonella vinsonii subsp. arupensis nor for C. burnetti, but 4.5% of the 155 samples were positive for either Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana, or Bartonella clarridgeiae.
CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study presents the first report of Bartonella species in the DR Congo and the first report of antibodies to Bartonella clarridgeiae in an African human population. Although few experimental trials have established the link between fleas and Bartonella transmission, the repeated detection of similar Bartonella species in fleas and humans in several countries suggests that Bartonellosis could be another flea-borne disease which specific reservoirs are still unknown.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antigens, Bacterial; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Blood; Coxiella burnetii; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Q Fever; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 21771478
DOI: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60094-1 -
Molecular Detection of Microorganisms Associated with Small Mammals and Their Ectoparasites in Mali.The American Journal of Tropical... Dec 2020Small mammals are the natural reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens. Using molecular tools, we assessed the prevalence of bacteria and protozoans in small mammals and...
Small mammals are the natural reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens. Using molecular tools, we assessed the prevalence of bacteria and protozoans in small mammals and their ectoparasites in Faladjè, Bougouni, and Bamoko, Mali. A total of 130 small mammals belonging to 10 different species were captured, of which 74 (56.9%) were infested by ectoparasites, including , , , sensu lato, and spp. nymphs. DNA of was found in 14/75 (18.7%), 6/48 (12.5%), and 3/7 (42.8%) small mammals from Faladjè, Bougouni, and Bamako, respectively. In Faladjè, DNA was detected in 31/68 (45.6%) of and 14/22 (63.6%) of . In Bougouni, it was found in 2/26 (7.7%) of and 10/42 (23.8%) of . The sequences of obtained from small mammals were close to those of , , and uncultured spp. In Faladjè, DNA was detected in 64.4% (29/45) of spp. ticks, 4.5% (2/44) of , 12.5% (1/8) of , and 1.5% (1/68) of . We found DNA of in from Faladjè and DNA of and in from Bougouni. The results of our study show that several small mammal species harbor and may serve as potential reservoirs of spp., likely to play a major role in the maintenance, circulation, and potential transmission of bacteria in Mali. The pathogenicity of these bacteria for humans or animals remains to be demonstrated.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Disease Reservoirs; Ectoparasitic Infestations; Mali; Mites; Phylogeny; Rodent Diseases; Rodentia; Siphonaptera; Ticks; Zoonoses
PubMed: 33146105
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0727 -
Parasites & Vectors Sep 2017Bartonellosis is an emerging vector-borne disease caused by different intracellular bacteria of the genus Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) that is transmitted...
BACKGROUND
Bartonellosis is an emerging vector-borne disease caused by different intracellular bacteria of the genus Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) that is transmitted primarily by blood-sucking arthropods such as sandflies, ticks and fleas. In Tunisia, there are no data available identifying the vectors of Bartonella spp. In our research, we used molecular methods to detect and characterize Bartonella species circulating in fleas collected from domestic animals in several of the country's bioclimatic areas.
RESULTS
A total of 2178 fleas were collected from 5 cats, 27 dogs, 34 sheep, and 41 goats at 22 sites located in Tunisia's five bioclimatic zones. The fleas were identified as: 1803 Ctenocephalides felis (83%) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), 266 C. canis (12%) and 109 Pulex irritans (5%) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). Using conventional PCR, we screened the fleas for the presence of Bartonella spp., targeting the citrate synthase gene (gltA). Bartonella DNA was detected in 14% (121/866) of the tested flea pools [estimated infection rate (EIR) per 2 specimens: 0.072, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.060-0.086]. The Bartonella infection rate per pool was broken down as follows: 55% (65/118; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.329, 95% CI: 0.262-0.402) in C. canis; 23.5% (8/34; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.125, 95% CI: 0.055-0.233) in P. irritans and 6.7% (48/714; EIR per 2 specimens: 0.032, 95% CI: 0.025-0.045) in C. felis. Infection rates, which varied significantly by bioclimatic zone (P < 0.0001), were highest in the humid areas. By sequencing, targeting the gltA gene and the 16S-23S rRNA Intergenic Spacer Regions (ITS), we identified three Bartonella zoonotic species: B. elizabethae, B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, as well as uncharacterized Bartonella genotypes.
CONCLUSIONS
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that fleas in Tunisia have been shown to carry zoonotic species of Bartonella. The dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis, should be considered the main potential vector of Bartonella. Our study not only provides new information about this vector, but also offers a public health update: medical practitioners and farmers in Tunisia should be apprised of the presence of Bartonella in fleas and implement preventive measures.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Cat Diseases; Cats; Citrate (si)-Synthase; Ctenocephalides; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Flea Infestations; Genotype; Insect Vectors; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sheep; Tunisia
PubMed: 28927427
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2372-5 -
Genome Biology and Evolution Nov 2018Bartonella is a genetically diverse group of vector-borne bacteria. Over 40 species have been characterized to date, mainly from mammalian reservoirs and arthropod...
Bartonella is a genetically diverse group of vector-borne bacteria. Over 40 species have been characterized to date, mainly from mammalian reservoirs and arthropod vectors. Rodent reservoirs harbor one of the largest Bartonella diversity described to date, and novel species and genetic variants are continuously identified from these hosts. Yet, it is still unknown if this significant genetic diversity stems from adaptation to different niches or from intrinsic high mutation rates. Here, we explored the vertical occurrence of spontaneous genomic alterations in 18 lines derived from two rodent-associated Bartonella elizabethae-like strains, evolved in nonselective agar plates under conditions mimicking their vector- and mammalian-associated temperatures, and the transmission cycles between them (i.e., 26 °C, 37 °C, and alterations between the two), using mutation accumulation experiments. After ∼1,000 generations, evolved genomes revealed few point mutations (average of one-point mutation per line), evidencing conserved single-nucleotide mutation rates. Interestingly, three large structural genomic changes (two large deletions and an inversion) were identified over all lines, associated with prophages and surface adhesin genes. Particularly, a prophage, deleted during constant propagation at 37 °C, was associated with an increased autonomous replication at 26 °C (the flea-associated temperature). Complementary molecular analyses of wild strains, isolated from desert rodents and their fleas, further supported the occurrence of structural genomic variations and prophage-associated deletions in nature. Our findings suggest that structural genomic changes represent an effective intrinsic mechanism to generate diversity in slow-growing bacteria and emphasize the role of prophages as promoters of diversity in nature.
Topics: Bartonella; Biological Evolution; Genome, Bacterial; Genomic Structural Variation; Multigene Family; Prophages
PubMed: 30346520
DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy236 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Mar 2014The prevalence and identity of Rickettsia and Bartonella in urban rat and flea populations were evaluated in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by...
The prevalence and identity of Rickettsia and Bartonella in urban rat and flea populations were evaluated in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by molecular tools. An overall prevalence of 17% Bartonella species and 13% Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine typhus, was found in the cosmopolitan rat species, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus that were infested by a majority of Xenopsylla cheopis fleas. Bartonella queenslandensis, Bartonella elizabethae, and three Bartonella genotypes were identified by sequencing in rat specimens, mostly in R. rattus. Rickettsia typhi was detected in 72% of X. cheopis pools, the main vector and reservoir of this zoonotic pathogen. Co-infections were observed in rodents, suggesting a common mammalian host shared by R. typhi and Bartonella spp. Thus, both infections are endemic in DRC and the medical staffs need to be aware knowing the high prevalence of impoverished populations or immunocompromised inhabitants in this area.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; DNA, Bacterial; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Disease Vectors; Flea Infestations; Humans; Insect Vectors; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Rats; Rickettsia Infections; Rickettsia typhi; Siphonaptera; Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne; Urban Population
PubMed: 24445202
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0216 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Dec 2010In order to study which Bartonella genotypes are circulating among small mammals in Spain, we analyzed the spleens of 395 animals from three different areas-247 animals...
In order to study which Bartonella genotypes are circulating among small mammals in Spain, we analyzed the spleens of 395 animals from three different areas-247 animals from the Basque Country (northern Spain), 121 animals from Catalonia (northeastern Spain), and 27 animals from Madrid (central Spain)-by a triplex PCR combined with a reverse line blot previously described by our group. The prevalence of Bartonella was 26.8% (106/395), and in 4.8% (19/395) of the animals more than one Bartonella genotype was detected. The study of gltA and the intergenic transcribed spacer in the positive samples demonstrated a large diversity, allowing the assignation of them into 22 genotypes. The most prevalent genotypes were 2 and 3, which are closely related to Bartonella taylorii. In addition, nine genotypes were associated with specific mammal species. Genotypes close to the zoonotic Bartonella grahamii, Bartonella elizabethae, and Bartonella rochalimae were also detected. Ten genotypes showed a percentage of similarity with known Bartonella species lower than 96%, suggesting the presence of potential new species. Further studies of the impact of these pathogens on human health and especially in cases of febrile illness in Spain are strongly recommended. Furthermore, our method has been updated with 21 new probes in a final panel of 36, which represents a robust molecular tool for clinical and environmental Bartonella studies.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Cluster Analysis; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Glutamate Synthase; Liver; Mammals; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Spain
PubMed: 20935117
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.01963-10 -
Microbiology (Reading, England) Mar 2000Bartonella bacilliformis and Bartonella henselae, the respective agents of Oroya fever and cat-scratch disease in humans, are known to produce bacteriophage-like...
Bartonella bacilliformis and Bartonella henselae, the respective agents of Oroya fever and cat-scratch disease in humans, are known to produce bacteriophage-like particles (BLPs) that package 14 kbp segments of the host chromosome. Data from this study suggest that other Bartonella species including Bartonella quintana, Bartonella doshiae and Bartonella grahamii also contain similar BLPs, as evidenced by the presence of a 14 kbp extrachromosomal DNA element in their genomes, whereas Bartonella elizabethae and Bartonella clarridgeiae do not. A purification scheme utilizing chloroform, DNase I and centrifugation was devised to isolate BLPs from B. bacilliformis. Intact BLPs were observed by transmission electron microscopy and were round to icosahedral in shape and approximately 80 nm in diameter. RFLP and Southern blot analysis of BLP DNA from B. bacilliformis suggest that packaging, while non-selective, is less than the near-random packaging previously reported for the B. henselae phage. Data also suggest that the linear, double-stranded BLP DNA molecules have blunt ends with noncovalently closed termini. Packaging of the BLP DNA molecules into a protein coat appears to be closely related to nucleic acid synthesis, as unpackaged phage DNA is not detectable within the host cell. SDS-PAGE analysis of purified BLPs from B. bacilliformis showed three major proteins with apparent molecular masses of 32, 34 and 36 kDa; values that closely correspond to proteins found in B. henselae BLPs. Western blot analysis performed with patient convalescent serum showed that BLP proteins are slightly immunogenic in humans. To determine if BLPs contribute to horizontal gene transfer, mutants of B. bacilliformis were generated by allelic exchange with an internal fragment of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region and a suicide vector construct, termed pKB1. BLPs from one of the resultant strains were able to package the mutagenized region containing the kanamycin-resistance cassette; however, numerous approaches and attempts at intraspecies transduction using these BLPs were unsuccessful.
Topics: Bacteriophages; Bartonella; Blotting, Southern; Blotting, Western; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Viral; Defective Viruses; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Humans; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Transduction, Genetic; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 10746763
DOI: 10.1099/00221287-146-3-599 -
Veterinary Microbiology Apr 2012Many studies indicated that small mammals are important reservoirs for Bartonella species. Using molecular methods, several studies have documented that bats could...
Many studies indicated that small mammals are important reservoirs for Bartonella species. Using molecular methods, several studies have documented that bats could harbor Bartonella. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship of Bartonella spp. identified in bats and small mammals living in the same ecological environment. During May 2009 and March 2010, a total of 102 blood specimens were collected. By whole blood culture and molecular identification, a total of 6 bats, 1 rodent and 9 shrews were shown to be infected by Bartonella species. After sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the sequences of gltA, ftsZ, rpoB and ribC genes, these specific isolates from bats were not similar to the known Bartonella species (the similarity values were less than 91.2%, 90.5%, 88.8%, and 82.2%, respectively); these isolates formed an independent clade away from other known Bartonella type strains. The Bartonella spp. isolated from small mammals, which were closely related to Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella grahamii, Bartonella rattimassiliensis and Bartonella queenslandensis, were similar to the findings in previous studies worldwide. Therefore, the results implied that the species of Bartonella strains isolated from small mammals were different from those identified in bats. Our results strongly suggested that the bat isolate could be a new Bartonella species. This study is also the first one to isolate Bartonella organisms from Asian gray shrews, Crocidura attenuata tanakae.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Chiroptera; Disease Reservoirs; Phylogeny; Rodentia; Shrews; Taiwan
PubMed: 22005177
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.09.031 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Aug 2012Small mammals from the Democratic Republic (DR) of the Congo and Tanzania were tested to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella species. The...
Small mammals from the Democratic Republic (DR) of the Congo and Tanzania were tested to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella species. The presence of Bartonella DNA was assessed in spleen samples of the animals by rpoB- and gltA-polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). By rpoB-PCR, Bartonella was detected in 8 of 59 animals of DR Congo and in 16 of 39 Tanzanian animals. By gltA-PCR, Bartonella was detected in 5 and 15 animals of DR Congo and Tanzania, respectively. The gene sequences from Arvicanthis neumanni were closely related to Bartonella elizabethae. The genotypes from Lophuromys spp. and from Praomys delectorum were close to Bartonella tribocorum. Five genogroups were not genetically related to any known Bartonella species. These results suggest the need to conduct further studies to establish the zoonotic risks linked with those Bartonella species and, in particular, to verify whether these agents might be responsible for human cases of febrile illness of unknown etiology in Africa.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Base Sequence; Congo; DNA, Bacterial; Genetic Variation; Mammals; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Tanzania; Zoonoses
PubMed: 22855765
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0555