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Emerging Infectious Diseases Mar 2006Among the many mammals infected with Bartonella spp., pets represent a large reservoir for human infection because most Bartonella spp. infecting them are zoonotic. Cats... (Review)
Review
Among the many mammals infected with Bartonella spp., pets represent a large reservoir for human infection because most Bartonella spp. infecting them are zoonotic. Cats are the main reservoir for Bartonella henselae, B. clarridgeiae, and B. koehlerae. Dogs can be infected with B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, B. washoensis, B. elizabethae, and B. quintana. The role of dogs as an important reservoir of Bartonella spp. is less clear than for cats because domestic dogs are more likely to be accidental hosts, at least in nontropical regions. Nevertheless, dogs are excellent sentinels for human infections because a similar disease spectrum develops in dogs. Transmission of B. henselae by cat fleas is better understood, although new potential vectors (ticks and biting flies) have been identified. We review current knowledge on the etiologic agents, clinical features, and epidemiologic characteristics of these emerging zoonoses.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Disease Reservoirs; Humans; Insect Vectors; Zoonoses
PubMed: 16704774
DOI: 10.3201/eid1203.050931 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2021Investigation of the prevalence and diversity of Bartonella infections in small mammals in the Qaidam Basin, western China, could provide a scientific basis for the...
Investigation of the prevalence and diversity of Bartonella infections in small mammals in the Qaidam Basin, western China, could provide a scientific basis for the control and prevention of Bartonella infections in humans. Accordingly, in this study, small mammals were captured using snap traps in Wulan County and Ge'ermu City, Qaidam Basin, China. Spleen and brain tissues were collected and cultured to isolate Bartonella strains. The suspected positive colonies were detected with polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of gltA, ftsZ, RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) and ribC genes. Among 101 small mammals, 39 were positive for Bartonella, with the infection rate of 38.61%. The infection rate in different tissues (spleens and brains) (χ = 0.112, P = 0.738) and gender (χ = 1.927, P = 0.165) of small mammals did not have statistical difference, but that in different habitats had statistical difference (χ = 10.361, P = 0.016). Through genetic evolution analysis, 40 Bartonella strains were identified (two different Bartonella species were detected in one small mammal), including B. grahamii (30), B. jaculi (3), B. krasnovii (3) and Candidatus B. gerbillinarum (4), which showed rodent-specific characteristics. B. grahamii was the dominant epidemic strain (accounted for 75.0%). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that B. grahamii in the Qaidam Basin, might be close to the strains isolated from Japan and China. Overall, we observed a high prevalence of Bartonella infection in small mammals in the Qaidam Basin. B. grahamii may cause human disease, and the pathogenicity of the others Bartonella species needs further study, the corresponding prevention and control measures should be taken into consideration.
Topics: Animal Diseases; Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; China; Disease Reservoirs; Genetic Variation; Mammals; Phylogeny; Rodentia
PubMed: 33462399
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81508-w -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Dec 2016Bartonella spp. comprise an ecologically successful group of microorganisms that infect erythrocytes and have adapted to different hosts, which include a wide range of...
UNLABELLED
Bartonella spp. comprise an ecologically successful group of microorganisms that infect erythrocytes and have adapted to different hosts, which include a wide range of mammals, besides humans. Rodents are reservoirs of about two-thirds of Bartonella spp. described to date; and some of them have been implicated as causative agents of human diseases. In our study, we performed molecular and phylogenetic analyses of Bartonella spp. infecting wild rodents from five different Brazilian biomes. In order to characterize the genetic diversity of Bartonella spp., we performed a robust analysis based on three target genes, followed by sequencing, Bayesian inference, and maximum likelihood analysis. Bartonella spp. were detected in 25.6% (117/457) of rodent spleen samples analyzed, and this occurrence varied among different biomes. The diversity analysis of gltA sequences showed the presence of 15 different haplotypes. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationship of gltA sequences performed by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood showed that the Bartonella species detected in rodents from Brazil was closely related to the phylogenetic group A detected in other cricetid rodents from North America, probably constituting only one species. Last, the Bartonella species genogroup identified in the present study formed a monophyletic group that included Bartonella samples from seven different rodent species distributed in three distinct biomes. In conclusion, our study showed that the occurrence of Bartonella bacteria in rodents is much more frequent and widespread than previously recognized.
IMPORTANCE
In the present study, we reported the occurrence of Bartonella spp. in some sites in Brazil. The identification and understanding of the distribution of this important group of bacteria may allow the Brazilian authorities to recognize potential regions with the risk of transmission of these pathogens among wild and domestic animals and humans. In addition, our study accessed important gaps in the biology of this group of bacteria in Brazil, such as its low host specificity, high genetic diversity, and relationship with other Bartonella spp. detected in rodents trapped in America. Considering the diversity of newly discovered Bartonella species and the great ecological plasticity of these bacteria, new studies with the aim of revealing the biological aspects unknown until now are needed and must be performed around the world. In this context, the impact of Bartonella spp. associated with rodents in human health should be assessed in future studies.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Bacterial Proteins; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Brazil; Genetic Variation; Host Specificity; Phylogeny; Rodent Diseases; Rodentia
PubMed: 27736785
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02447-16 -
Molecular Ecology Jul 2022Rodent-associated Bartonella species have shown a remarkable genetic diversity and pathogenic potential. To further explore the extent of the natural intraspecific...
Rodent-associated Bartonella species have shown a remarkable genetic diversity and pathogenic potential. To further explore the extent of the natural intraspecific genomic variation and its potential role as an evolutionary driver, we focused on a single genetically diverse Bartonella species, Bartonella krasnovii, which circulates among gerbils and their associated fleas. Twenty genomes from 16 different B. krasnovii genotypes were fully characterized through a genome sequencing assay (using short and long read sequencing), pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and PCR validation. Genomic analyses were performed in comparison to the B. krasnovii strain OE 1-1. While, single nucleotide polymorphism represented only a 0.3% of the genome variation, structural diversity was identified in these genomes, with an average of 51 ± 24 structural variation (SV) events per genome. Interestingly, a large proportion of the SVs (>40%) was associated with prophages. Further analyses revealed that most of the SVs, and prophage insertions were found at the chromosome replication termination site (ter), suggesting this site as a plastic zone of the B. krasnovii chromosome. Accordingly, six genomes were found to be unbalanced, and essential genes near the ter showed a shift between the leading and lagging strands, revealing the SV effect on these genomes. In summary, our findings demonstrate the extensive genomic diversity harbored by wild B. krasnovii strains and suggests that its diversification is initially promoted by structural changes, probably driven by phages. These events may constantly feed the system with novel genotypes that ultimately lead to inter- and intraspecies competition and adaptation.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Genomics; Gerbillinae; Siphonaptera
PubMed: 35620948
DOI: 10.1111/mec.16547 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology May 2021spp., mostly and , are a common cause of culture-negative endocarditis. Serology using immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR performed on cardiac tissues are the...
spp., mostly and , are a common cause of culture-negative endocarditis. Serology using immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR performed on cardiac tissues are the mainstays of diagnosis. We developed an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a novel multiplex real-time PCR assay, utilizing genus-specific, -specific, and -specific SimpleProbe probes, for diagnosis of endocarditis. We aimed to evaluate the performance of these assays. Thirty-seven patients with definite endocarditis, 18 with , 18 with , and 1 with , were studied. Diagnosis was confirmed by conventional PCR and DNA sequencing of surgical cardiac specimens. Similar to the case with IFA, anti- IgG titers of ≥1:800 were found in 94% of patients by EIA; cross-reactivity between and precluded species-specific serodiagnosis, and frequent (41%) but low-titer cross-reactivity between antibodies and antigen was found in patients with Q fever endocarditis. Low-titer (1:100) cross-reactivity was uncommonly found also in patients with brucellosis and culture-positive endocarditis, particularly endocarditis. Real-time PCR performed on explanted heart valves/vegetations was in complete agreement with results of sequence-based diagnosis with characteristic melting curves. The genus-specific probe identified five additional endocarditis-associated spp. at the genus level. In conclusion, EIA coupled with a novel real-time PCR assay can play an important role in endocarditis diagnosis and expand the diagnostic arsenal at the disposal of the clinical microbiologist. Since serology remains a major diagnostic tool, recognizing its pitfalls is essential to avoid incorrect diagnosis.
Topics: Antibodies, Bacterial; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Bartonella henselae; Bartonella quintana; Endocarditis; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Serologic Tests
PubMed: 33731411
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.02217-20 -
Acta Tropica Jul 2020Worldwide, Bartonella species are known to infect a wide range of mammalian and arthropod hosts, including humans. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence...
Worldwide, Bartonella species are known to infect a wide range of mammalian and arthropod hosts, including humans. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in synanthropic mammals captured in peri-urban areas from Central-Western and Southern Brazil and their ectoparasites. For this aim, 160 mammals belonging to four species, and 218 associated arthropods were sampled. DNA was extracted and subjected to different Bartonella screening assays. Additionally, blood samples from 48 small rodents were submitted to liquid BAPGM culture followed by qPCR assay and solid culture. Two out of 55 Rattus captured in Santa Catarina state were PCR-positive for Bartonella when targeting the nuoG, 16S, and ITS loci. Sequences showed high homology with Bartonella coopersplainsensis. Conversely, all 48 small rodents, 14 capybaras and 43 opossum DNA samples from animals trapped in Mato Grosso do Sul were Bartonella negative in the HRM real time PCR assays targeting the ITS locus and gltA gene. Additionally, all mammal-associated ectoparasites showed negativity results based on HRM real time PCR assays. The present study showed, for the first time, the occurrence of B. coopersplainsensis in Brazil, shedding some light on the distribution of rats-related Bartonella in South America. In addition, the majority of rodents and marsupials were negative for Bartonella spp. Since B. coopersplainsensis reservoirs - Rattus spp. - are widely dispersed around the globe, their zoonotic potential should be further investigated.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; DNA, Bacterial; Humans; Mammals; Marsupialia; Opossums; Phthiraptera; Rats; Rodentia; Ticks
PubMed: 32371220
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105513 -
Parasites & Vectors Sep 2020In a warmer and more globally connected Arctic, vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic importance may be increasing in prevalence in native wildlife. Recently, Bartonella...
BACKGROUND
In a warmer and more globally connected Arctic, vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic importance may be increasing in prevalence in native wildlife. Recently, Bartonella henselae, the causative agent of cat scratch fever, was detected in blood collected from arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) that were captured and released in the large goose colony at Karrak Lake, Nunavut, Canada. This bacterium is generally associated with cats and cat fleas, which are absent from Arctic ecosystems. Arctic foxes in this region feed extensively on migratory geese, their eggs, and their goslings. Thus, we hypothesized that a nest flea, Ceratophyllus vagabundus vagabundus (Boheman, 1865), may serve as a vector for transmission of Bartonella spp.
METHODS
We determined the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in (i) nest fleas collected from 5 arctic fox dens and (ii) 37 surrounding goose nests, (iii) fleas collected from 20 geese harvested during arrival at the nesting grounds and (iv) blood clots from 57 adult live-captured arctic foxes. A subsample of fleas were identified morphologically as C. v. vagabundus. Remaining fleas were pooled for each nest, den, or host. DNA was extracted from flea pools and blood clots and analyzed with conventional and real-time polymerase chain reactions targeting the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer region.
RESULTS
Bartonella henselae was identified in 43% of pooled flea samples from nests and 40% of pooled flea samples from fox dens. Bartonella vinsonii berkhoffii was identified in 30% of pooled flea samples collected from 20 geese. Both B. vinsonii berkhoffii (n = 2) and B. rochalimae (n = 1) were identified in the blood of foxes.
CONCLUSIONS
We confirm that B. henselae, B. vinsonii berkhoffii and B. rochalimae circulate in the Karrak Lake ecosystem and that nest fleas contain B. vinsonii and B. henselae DNA, suggesting that this flea may serve as a potential vector for transmission among Arctic wildlife.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Bird Diseases; Disease Vectors; Ecosystem; Flea Infestations; Foxes; Geese; Host Specificity; Nunavut; Siphonaptera
PubMed: 32928287
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04344-3 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Sep 2018Bartonella spp. are globally distributed bacteria that cause endocarditis in humans and domestic animals. Recent work has suggested bats as zoonotic reservoirs of some...
Bartonella spp. are globally distributed bacteria that cause endocarditis in humans and domestic animals. Recent work has suggested bats as zoonotic reservoirs of some human Bartonella infections; however, the ecological and spatiotemporal patterns of infection in bats remain largely unknown. Here we studied the genetic diversity, prevalence of infection across seasons and years, individual risk factors, and possible transmission routes of Bartonella in populations of common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in Peru and Belize, for which high infection prevalence has previously been reported. Phylogenetic analysis of the gltA gene for a subset of PCR-positive blood samples revealed sequences that were related to Bartonella described from vampire bats from Mexico, other Neotropical bat species, and streblid bat flies. Sequences associated with vampire bats clustered significantly by country but commonly spanned Central and South America, implying limited spatial structure. Stable and nonzero Bartonella prevalence between years supported endemic transmission in all sites. The odds of Bartonella infection for individual bats was unrelated to the intensity of bat flies ectoparasitism, but nearly all infected bats were infested, which precluded conclusive assessment of support for vector-borne transmission. While metagenomic sequencing found no strong evidence of Bartonella DNA in pooled bat saliva and fecal samples, we detected PCR positivity in individual saliva and feces, suggesting the potential for bacterial transmission through both direct contact (i.e., biting) and environmental (i.e., fecal) exposures. Further investigating the relative contributions of direct contact, environmental, and vector-borne transmission for bat Bartonella is an important next step to predict infection dynamics within bats and the risks of human and livestock exposures.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Proteins; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Belize; Blood; Chiroptera; Cluster Analysis; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Feces; Genetic Variation; Glutamate Synthase; Peru; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Saliva; Seasons; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 30260954
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006786 -
Epidemiology and Infection Jan 2013Dogs can be infected by a wide range of Bartonella spp., but limited studies have been conducted in tropical urban and rural dog populations. We aimed to determine...
Dogs can be infected by a wide range of Bartonella spp., but limited studies have been conducted in tropical urban and rural dog populations. We aimed to determine Bartonella antibody prevalence in 455 domestic dogs from four tropical countries and detect Bartonella DNA in a subset of these dogs. Bartonella antibodies were detected in 38 (8·3%) dogs, including 26 (10·1%) from Colombia, nine (7·6%) from Brazil, three (5·1%) from Sri Lanka and none from Vietnam. DNA extraction was performed for 26 (63%) of the 41 seropositive and 10 seronegative dogs. Four seropositive dogs were PCR positive, including two Colombian dogs, infected with B. rochalimae and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, and two Sri Lankan dogs harbouring sequences identical to strain HMD described in dogs from Italy and Greece. This is the first detection of Bartonella infection in dogs from Colombia and Sri Lanka and identification of Bartonella strain HMD from Asia.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Tropical Climate
PubMed: 22459880
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268812000519 -
Journal of Vector Ecology : Journal of... Dec 2014Bartonellosis is an infectious bacterial disease. The prevalence and genetic characteristics of Bartonella spp. in fleas of wild and domestic animals from Palestinian...
Bartonellosis is an infectious bacterial disease. The prevalence and genetic characteristics of Bartonella spp. in fleas of wild and domestic animals from Palestinian territories are described. Flea samples (n=289) were collected from 121 cats, 135 dogs, 26 hyraxes and seven rats from northern (n=165), central (n=113), and southern Palestinian territories (n=11). The prevalent flea species were: Ctenocephalides felis (n=119/289; 41.2%), Ctenocephalides canis (n=159/289; 55%), and Xenopsylla sp. (n=7/289; 2.4%). Targeting the Intergenic Transcribed Spacer (ITS) locus, DNA of Bartonella was detected in 22% (64/289) of all fleas. Fifty percent of the C. felis and 57% of the Xenopsylla sp. contained Bartonella DNA. DNA sequencing showed the presence of Bartonella clarridgeiae (50%), Bartonella henselae (27%), and Bartonella koehlerae (3%) in C. felis. Xenopsylla sp. collected from Rattus rattus rats were infected with Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella elizabethae, and Bartonella rochalimae. Phylogenetic sequence analysis using the 16S ribosomal RNA gene obtained four genetic clusters, B. henselae and B. koehlerae as subcluster 1, B. clarridgeiae as cluster 2, while the rat Bartonella species (B. tribocorum and B. elizabethae) were an outgroup cluster. These findings showed the important role of cat and rat fleas as vectors of zoonotic Bartonella species in Palestinian territories. It is hoped that this publication will raise awareness among physicians, veterinarians, and other health workers of the high prevalence of Bartonella spp. in fleas in Palestinian territories and the potential risk of these pathogens to humans and animals in this region.
Topics: Animals; Bartonella; Cats; Dogs; Genetic Variation; Humans; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Rats; Siphonaptera
PubMed: 25424254
DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12100