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Prevalence of zoonotic Bartonella species among rodents and shrews in Thailand
Abstract
We investigated the prevalence of Bartonella species in 10 rodent and one shrew species in Thailand. From February 2008 to May 2010, a total of 375 small animals were captured in 9 provinces in Thailand. Bartonella strains were isolated from 57 rodents (54 from Rattus species and 3 from Bandicota indica) and one shrew (Suncus murinus) in 7 of the 9 provinces, and identified to the species level. Sequence analysis of the citrate synthase and RNA polymerase β subunit genes identified the 58 isolates from each Bartonella-positive animal as B. tribocorum in 27 (46.6%) animals, B. rattimassiliensis in 17 (29.3%) animals, B. elizabethae in 10 (17.2%) animals and B. queenslandensis in 4 (6.9%) animals. R. norvegicus, R. rattus, and Suncus murinus carried B. elizabethae, which causes endocarditis in humans. The prevalence of Bartonella bacteremic animals by province was 42.9% of the animals collected in Phang Nga, 26.8% in Chiang Rai, 20.4% in Sa Kaeo, 16.7% in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 12.0% in Surat Thani, 9.1% in Mae Hong Son and Loei Provinces.
These results indicate that Bartonella organisms are widely distributed in small mammals in Thailand and some animal species may serve as important reservoirs of zoonotic Bartonella species in the country.
... Several Bartonella spp. have been isolated from rodents in several countries, including Thailand [4][5][6][7][8][9]. These pathogens are associated with various human diseases, such as cat scratch disease (B. ...
... In particular, past exposure to rats has been reported in three patients from Thailand with fever, myalgia, and headache [13]. Several reports of these infections in rodents in Thailand have been described [6][7][8][9][12][13][14][15]. However, the risk of rodent-associated Bartonella spp. ...
... We calculated the minimum sample size based on a previous study by Pangjai et al. [6] using the Epitools program (www.epitool.net) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and 2.5% precision. ...
Background and aim:
Bartonella spp. are Gram-negative zoonotic bacteria that are transmitted to humans by several types of animal hosts, including rodents. Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of Bartonella infections in rodents. However, the risk of rodent-associated Bartonella spp. infection in humans remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and genetic heterogeneity of Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand using culture and molecular techniques.
Materials and methods:
A total of 860 blood samples from rodents and shrews across nine provinces of Thailand were collected from January 2013 to June 2016. Bartonella spp. were isolated from all samples using conventional culture techniques and polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic tree analysis was used to align the Bartonella sequences obtained from this study.
Results:
The prevalence of Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews was 11.5% (99/860, 95% confidence interval: 9.38-13.64%). The following nine species of Bartonella were detected: Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella queenslandensis, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella chanthaburi spp. nov., Bartonella satun spp. nov., Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella ranong spp. nov., and Bartonella henselae. The prevalence of Bartonella-positive animals differed significantly among provinces.
Conclusion:
To the best of our knowledge, the three novel Bartonella spp. isolated from rodents and shrews across Thailand were detected for the first time in this study. Further studies on the epidemiology of Bartonella infection in rodents and its interaction with human health should be conducted in accordance with the Thai government's "One Health" approach to humans, animals, and the environment.
... have been detected in rodents in several continents, including Asia [13], Africa [14], Europe [7], Americas [12,15], and Australia [16]. Some rodents have been suspected of being a source of zoonotic pathogens transmitted to humans [17], such as Rickettsia spp., Leptospira spp., Coxiella burnetii, Orientia tsutsugamushi, and Bartonella spp. [18]. ...
... being frequently isolated from R. rattus [20,47,48]. The prevalence of Bartonella spp. in R. tanezumi in the current study was similar to that found in a study in Singapore [49]; however, it contrasts with many other studies [17,50,51]. Bartonella rattimassiliensis and B. phoceensis were positive in R. tanezumi blood samples, which is a result similar to those of studies in Malaysia [46], Indonesia [52], Vietnam [50], and Singapore [49]. ...
... (B. tribocorum and B. grahamii) were detected in R. exulans blood samples, which was similar to other studies in Thailand [17,48,53]. Nevertheless, in the current study, the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in R. exulans differed from other studies [17,[47][48][49][50][53][54][55]. ...
Bartonella spp. are Gram-negative zoonotic bacteria transmitted to humans via various blood-sucking arthropods. Rodents have been identified as reservoir hosts of several zoonotic pathogens, including Bartonella spp. In Thailand, studies of Bartonella spp. in rodents from urban areas are limited; thus, a study in this area is necessary. The objectives of this study were to detect Bartonella spp. in rodents in Thailand and to compare the species’ distribution across different areas. In total, 70 blood samples from rodents in urban and suburban areas were tested for Bartonella spp. using a conventional polymerase chain reaction that targeted the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. All Bartonella-positive sequences were analyzed using polymorphism in order to build a phylogenetic tree. Approximately 38% of the rodents studied contained Bartonella DNA. Both Rattus exulans (Pacific rat) and R. tanezumi (Asian house rat) contained Bartonella spp. Four species of Bartonella were detected in blood samples: B. tribocorum, B. phoceensis, B. grahamii, and B. rattimassiliensis. In addition, eight Pacific rats contained the B. kosoyi–B. tribocorum complex. Bartonella phoceensis and B. tribocorum–B. kosoyi complexes were found in a specific habitat (p < 0.05). Interestingly, only seven haplotypes were identified in the sequences analyzed, and only haplotype A was found in both rodent species. Finally, a monitoring program for zoonotic Bartonella infection, especially the B. kosoyi–B. tribocorum complex, B. phoceensis, B. grahamii, and B. rattimassiliensis should be established, especially in high-risk areas.
... This finding, however, is in contrast to Klangthong et al. (2015) who reported the highest rate of Bartonella-positive infections in B. indica. These differences in pathogen prevalence in rodent species may be caused by differences in trapping locations and/ or infestation status of arthropod vectors on rodent hosts (Pangjai et al. 2014). Moreover, Gundi et al. (2009) (Tsai et al. 2010, Billeter et al. 2011, Bitam et al. 2012. ...
... These data suggest that B. queenslandensis has a wide distribution and range of animal hosts. In Thailand, B. queenslandensis has been detected from R. rattus captured in Chiang Rai Province and R. norvegicus in Sa Kaeo Province (Pangjai et al. 2014). Frank et al. (2018) detected B. queenslandensis in a febrile patient in Thailand and suggested a possible rodent-human transmission route demonstrated that rodents and domestic animals serve as the reservoirs host for most Bartonella genotypes in humans. ...
The objective of this study was to investigate evidence of emerging anaplasmosis and bartonellosis in rodents from endemic areas of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. Rodent trapping was undertaken in 13 sub‐districts of Muang District. The live‐capture traps were set up in three locations of selected scrub typhus patient houses for three consecutive nights. Wild‐caught rodent whole blood samples and associated ticks and fleas were collected and tested for Anaplasma spp. and Bartonella spp. In addition, heat maps using GIS software were used to determine the density of infection of positive wild‐caught rodents. A total of 347 wild‐caught rodents of nine species was captured. Rattus rattus (38.6%) was the dominant species. A total of 1,518 Heamaphysalis bandicota ticks and 57 Xenopsylla cheopis fleas was removed. Twenty‐two of the 347 tested blood samples (6.3%) were Anaplasma bovis‐positive and 121 blood samples and five out of 27 pools of X. cheopis fleas were Bartonella queenslandensis‐positive. Of these infected rodents, dual‐infections between A. bovis and B. queenslandensis were found in three B. indica rodents. Our results offer new information concerning the infections of A. bovis and B. queenslandensis in both rodents and their ectoparasites collected in high‐risk areas of rodent‐borne diseases in Thailand.
... Several studies in Thailand reported Bartonella spp. in humans (Bai et al., 2012;Bhengsri et al., 2010;Kosoy et al., 2010;Noopetch et al., 2018;Pachirat et al., 2011), in various types of animals (Assarasakorn et al., 2012;Jiyipong et al., 2015;Kim et al., 2016;Klangthong et al., 2015;McKee et al., 2017;Pangjai et al., 2018;Pangjai et al., 2014;Saengsawang et al., 2021), and in several hematophagous insects (Assarasakorn et al., 2012;Billeter et al., 2013;Billeter et al., 2012;Kabeya et al., 2010;Klangthong et al., 2015;Promrangsee et al., 2019). A previous survey in Thailand revealed that R. sanguineus and C. felis were the major tick and flea, respectively, found on companion dogs and cats (Changbunjong et al., 2009). ...
Bartonellosis is a vector-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic bacteria known as Bartonella spp. The potential vectors that transmit Bartonella spp. are fleas, ticks, sand flies, and lice. Several Bartonella spp. cause diseases in humans; however, there is few molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in vectors in Thailand. The objectives of this study were to investigate Bartonella spp. and to evaluate the spatial distribution of Bartonella spp. prevalence in the ectoparasites parasitizing free-ranging cats and dogs in temple clusters of Bangkok, Thailand. In total, 343 ectoparasites were studied to extract their genomic DNA. Species of all specimens were identified using an identification key and conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) was applied to confirm flea and tick species. Extracted DNA samples were processed using primers that targeted the gltA, rpoB, ftsZ, and ribC genes of Bartonella spp. Then, PCR-positive amplicons were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Recorded data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and the odds ratio. Area data were analyzed and a prevalence distribution map was plotted. The major parasitizing ticks and fleas in this study were Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in ectoparasites was 7.00%. The gltA amplicons revealed the presence of B. henselae (4.78%) and B. clarridgeiae (4.78%) in C. felis, and B. koehlerae (1.25%) and B. phoceensis (1.25%) in R. sanguineus. Bartonella DNA was encountered in 16/39 (41.03%) districts and 28.57% of the temple clusters. Bang Khun Thian district had the highest positive proportion and Bang Bon district showed co-evidence of different Bartonella species. In addition, the intervening zones were a risk factor of Bartonella (p < 0.05), and the distribution map showed a scattered pattern of Bartonella-positive clusters. Finally, fleas showed to be important vector reservoirs for Bartonella spp., especially zoonotic species, however, experimental studies are needed to prove the Bartonella transmission in ticks.
... The total prevalence of Bartonella spp. was 17% (n = 17/100). Our results are comparable with those of Costa et al. [9] from Brazil, Himsworth et al. [10] from Canada, Rothenburger et al. [15] from Canada, Firth et al. [6] from the USA, Klangthong et al. [16] from Thailand, Tay et al. [17] from Malaysia, Kamani et al. [18] from Nigeria, and Pangjai et al. [19] from Thailand. These studies found that the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in the urban rats was 19%, 25%, 25.7%, 25%, 17%, 13.7%, 26%, and 16.9%, respectively. ...
This is the first study on the prevalence of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens found in R. norvegicus in urban areas of Tehran, Iran. Serological tests were employed to detect IgG antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) and Rickettsia spp. using a commercial qualitative rat ELISA kit. The frequency of Streptobacillus moniliformis (S. moniliformis) and Bartonella spp. was determined using conventional PCR method. Molecular detection and characterization of Leptospira spp. were conducted using TaqMan real-time PCR based on lipL32 gene and SecY typing method. A total of 100 R. norvegicus were collected from five regions in Tehran, Iran and investigated to determine their zoonotic pathogens. S. moniliformis and Bartonella spp. were detected in 23 out of 100 (23%) and 17 out of 100 (17%) R. norvegicus population, respectively. The highest prevalence of S. moniliformis and Bartonella spp. with similar frequency rates (n = 6/20; 30%) was seen among the R. norvegicus captured from the northern and southern parts of Tehran, respectively. Seroreactivity against C. burnetii and Rickettsia spp. was detected in 4% and 1% of the R. norvegicus, respectively. C. burnetii. was identified only in one rat captured from the eastern part of Tehran. Results showed that Leptospira spp. was detected only in two rats, collected from the southern part (n = 2/20; 10%) of Tehran. The secY typing method identified two different Leptospira species including L. interrogans and L. kirschneri. The results showed that urban rats might play an important role in transmission of zoonotic pathogens to humans.
... Although there are fewer species in Eulipotyphla compared to Rodentia (rodents) and Chioptera (bats), various CoVs have been linked to several CoVs clades including some that have public health importance such as SARS-CoV [207][208][209]. Eulipotyphlans are also known reservoirs for a variety of pathogens such as BoDV-1 (Borna virus), Bartonella spp., rotaviruses, and hantavirus [210][211][212][213][214]. It is predicted that CoVs of hedgehogs might recombine with bat CoVs, facilitating the emergence of novel CoVs that could infect new hosts [215]. ...
Emerging infectious diseases present great risks to public health. The novel severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become an urgent public health issue of global concern. It is speculated that the virus first emerged through a zoonotic spillover. Basic research studies have suggested that bats are likely the ancestral reservoir host. Nonetheless, the evolutionary history and host susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear as a multitude of animals has been proposed as potential intermediate or dead-end hosts. SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated from domestic animals, both companion and livestock, as well as in captive wildlife that were in close contact with human COVID-19 cases. Currently, domestic mink is the only known animal that is susceptible to a natural infection, develop severe illness, and can also transmit SARS-CoV-2 to other minks and humans. To improve foundational knowledge of SARS-CoV-2, we are conducting a synthesis review of its host diversity and transmission pathways. To mitigate this COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly advocate for a systems-oriented scientific approach that comprehensively evaluates the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the human and animal interface.
... Rattus rattus (black rat) has been identified as a Bartonella reservoir in different areas of the world (Ellis et al., 1999;Hsieh et al., 2010;Pangjai et al., 2014;Bai et al., 2009;Gonçalves et al., 2016;Peterson et al., 2017). Rattus rattus is widely distributed in most areas of the world due to human movement (Krystufek et al., 2016) and it has been cataloged as the most harmful invasive species in the world, as it has caused the extinction and displacement of several species of birds and mammals; it is also considered one of the main disease vectors for humans and wild animals (Banks & Hughes, 2012;Harris, 2009;Towns, Atkinson & Daugherty, 2006). ...
Background:
Rattus rattus is a widely distributed, invasive species that presents an important role in disease transmission, either directly or through vector arthropods such as fleas. These black rats can transmit a wide variety of pathogens, including bacteria of the genus Bartonella, which can cause diseases in humans and animals. In Chile, no data are available identifying fleas from synanthropic rodents as Bartonella vectors. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in the fleas of R. rattus in areas with different climate conditions and featuring different human population densities.
Methods:
In all, 174 fleas collected from 261 R. rattus captured from 30 localities with different human densities (cities, villages, and wild areas) across five hydrographic zones of Chile (hyper-arid, arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, and hyper-humid) were examined. Bartonella spp. presence was determined through polymerase chain reaction, using gltA and rpoB genes, which were concatenated to perform a similarity analysis with BLAST and phylogenetic analysis.
Results:
Overall, 15 fleas species were identified; Bartonella gltA and rpoB fragments were detected in 21.2% (37/174) and 19.5% (34/174) of fleas, respectively. A total of 10 of the 15 fleas species found were positive for Bartonella DNA. Leptopsylla segnis was the most commonly collected flea species (n = 55), and it also presented a high prevalence of Bartonella DNA (P% = 34.5%). The highest numbers of fleas of this species were collected in villages of the arid zone. There were no seasonal differences in the prevalence of Bartonella DNA. The presence of Bartonella DNA in fleas was recorded in all hydrographic areas, and the arid zone presented the highest prevalence of this species. Regarding areas with different human densities, the highest prevalence was noted in the villages (34.8% gltA and 31.8% rpoB), followed by cities (14.8% gltA and 11.1% rpoB) and wild areas (7.4% gltA and 14.8% rpoB). The BLAST analysis showed a high similitude (>96%) with four uncharacterized Bartonella genotypes and with two species with zoonotic potential: B. mastomydis and B. tribocorum. The phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship with B. elizabethae and B. tribocorum. This is the first study to provide evidence of the presence of Bartonella in fleas of R. rattus in Chile, indicating that the villages and arid zone correspond to areas with higher infection risk.
... Considering the close association of A. agrarius with humans in transmission of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (Fang et al. 2015, Wang et al. 2016, the pathogenicity of B. fuyuanensis to humans needs to be investigated. Bartonella queenslandensis has been isolated/detected worldwide from the United States, Thailand, Australia, and other countries in Southeastern Asia (Saisongkorh et al., 2009, Jiyipong et al. 2012, Pangjai et al. 2014, Peterson et al. 2017), but its pathogenicity to humans has yet been reported. ...
Bartonella are vector borne gram-negative facultative intracellular bacteria. Bartonella species are associated with rodents and their flea parasites worldwide. The genetic variation and distribution of Bartonella species in rodents are not clear in China. We investigated the presence and genetic diversity of Bartonella species in rodents from eastern China. We captured rodents from 2015 to 2016 in Jiaonan County, Shandong Province, and detected Bartonella species in the spleen of rodents by PCR amplification of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene and RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) gene. We found that 8.38% (16/191) of the rodents were Bartonella positive by PCR for both gltA and rpoB genes; that Bartonella sequences from the rodents were phylogenetically divided into five clades, which were closely related to B. tribocorum, B. rattimassiliensis, B. grahamii, B. fuyuanensis, and B. queenslandensis, respectively; and that each Bartonella species is rodent species-specific with B. rattimassiliensis and B. tribocorum for Rattus norvegicus, B. grahamii for Tscherskia triton, B. fuyuanensis for Apodemus agrarius, and B. queenslandensis for Niviventer confucianus. This study indicated that Bartonella organisms have a broad distribution and a variety of genotypes in rodents in eastern China and the threats to public health by these Bartonella species should be monitored in China.
... Suncus murinus had the highest reported prevalence (30%) for this species in Southeast Asia. In previous studies on S. murinus, the prevalence was 5.1% in Cambodia (Jiyipong et al., 2012), 4.8% in Jakarta, Indonesia (Winoto et al., 2005), and 3.8% in Thailand (Pangjai et al., 2014). in Cambodia, Thailand and Lao ranges from 9.6 to 11.9% (Jiyipong et al., 2012). ...
Bartonella species are arthropod-borne bacterial pathogens that infect numerous mammalian species. Small mammals play an important role as natural reservoirs of many Bartonella species, maintaining the greatest diversity of Bartonella described to date. Although Bartonella research has been conducted in Southeast Asia, no studies have been undertaken on small mammals in Singapore. Here, we report the detection and description of Bartonella in small mammals in Singapore during the period of November 2011 to May 2014. BartonellaDNA was detected in 20.8% (22/106) of small mammal spleens with a PCR amplifying the beta subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase (rpoB) gene. Commensal species Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi had the highest prevalence, 75% (3/4) and 34,5% (10/29), followed by Suncus murinus 30% (6/20), Tupaia glis 16,7% (1/6) and Mus castaneus 13.3% (2/15). Phylogenetic analysis of 18 rpoB gene sequences revealed five Bartonella genotypes circulating in the small mammals of Singapore. Bayesian tip-significance testing demonstrated strong structuring in the geographical signal, indicating that distribution of Bartonella species is correlated to the distribution of their hosts. Major deforestation and fragmentation in Singapore favour synanthropic species that traverse habitats and increase the possibility of spillover to incidental hosts.
... The ability of some pathogens, especially viruses, to cross-infect species and rapidly alter their phenotype, thus becoming more adaptable to humans, is an evolutionary jump of concern that should stress the importance of expanding our research goals to include surveys of other species that are not normally considered as zoonotic disease reservoirs (Brooks et al., 2014). For instance, studies document influenza and cowpox outbreaks in anteaters (Nofs et al., 2009;Marennikova et al., 1977) and the high prevalence of Bartonella in shrews (Pangjai et al., 2014). Lagomorphs are well-known hosts for a wide range of zoonoses, which does not explain the scarcity of survey information in species of this order. ...
Mammals provide an important ecological habitat or niche space to microbial diversity, protistans (or protozoans) and metazoan parasites that can have profound effects on both human and animal health. Thus, understanding the status of mammalian species as hosts for pathogens holds relevance, especially during this time of anthropogenic environmental change. Despite the great diversity in the mammal fauna of Colombia, data in the literature on the occurrence of parasites and pathogens in these mammals are scarce and widely scattered. In order to understand the state of the knowledge of pathogens carried by wild mammals in Colombia, a systematic review of the literature was conducted. Information from scientific studies compiled included taxonomic orders, pathogens, natural regions, publication data (format, language, and region), funding sources, and affiliation of principal investigators. A total of 187 research studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review. A total of 69,059 wild mammals belonging to 260 species and 12 taxonomic orders were studied in Colombia between 1876 and 2014. The most commonly researched orders were Rodentia (72 studies, n=11,396 individuals sampled), Chiroptera (67 studies, n=52,166), Didelphimorphia (55 studies, n=2,447), and Primates (44 studies, n=1,831), whereas the least studied included Lagomorpha (9 studies, n=71), Paucituberculata (4 studies, n=32), and Soricomorpha (3 studies, n=3). No studies of pathogens of the Cetacea or Sirenia in the area of Colombia were found. The Andes natural region has been more extensively studied (53.7% of all studies conducted) compared to the rest of the country, and parasites have been the most extensively studied pathogen group, particularly the phyla Arthropoda and Platyhelminthes. Research funding was primarily provided by institutions in the United States. Similar numbers of studies were conducted by both private and public, national and foreign universities. This is the first systematic review of the literature focused on gathering all available data on pathogens in situ in Colombian mammals.
... Some Bartonella species have been found to infect a limited number of rodent species (i.e., B. vinsonii subsp. arupensis and B. washoensis; Kosoy et al. 2003;Inoue et al. 2011, Bai et al. 2011, whereas others such as B. elizabethae or B. queenslandensis have been found to infect many rodent species (Pangjai et al. 2014, Jiyipong et al. 2015. As has been previously observed (Gundi et al. 2010), we found a lack of host specificity for B. elizabethae and B. tribocorum, since similar or identical genotypes associated with these Bartonella organisms were isolated from different small mammal species in our study. ...
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella organisms in small mammals in Cotonou, Benin. We captured 163 rodents and 12 insectivores and successfully detected Bartonella DNA from 13 of the 175 small mammal individuals. Bartonella spp., identical or closely related to Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella tribocorum, and Bartonella rochalimae, was detected. A potential new Bartonella species, proposed as Candidatus Bartonella mastomydis, was found in three Mastomys individuals and genetically characterized by targeting two housekeeping genes (rpoB and gltA) and the intergenic species region. However, 20.8% of gray rats were found to be infected with Bartonella spp., and none of the black rats analyzed was positive. This work may be important from a public health point of view due to the zoonotic nature of the Bartonella species detected and warrants further investigation on the unknown zoonotic potential of this newly proposed Bartonella species.
Phlebotomine sand flies are proven or suspected vectors of several pathogens of importance, including leishmaniasis, bartonellosis and sand fly fevers. Although sand flies have a worldwide distribution, there has been limited research published on sand flies and sand fly-borne pathogens throughout the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to determine the biodiversity and presence of phlebotomine sand flies and their associated pathogens in the GMS, specifically Cambodia, Thailand, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), Malaysia and Vietnam. A total of 1472 records were identified by searching electronic databases, scanning reference lists of articles and consulting experts in the field. After screening of title and abstracts, 178 records remained and were further screened for original data (n = 34), not having regional data (n = 14), duplication of data (n = 4), records not available (n = 4) and no language translation available (n = 2). A total of 120 studies were then included for full review, with 41 studies on sand fly-related disease in humans, 33 studies on sand fly-related disease in animals and 54 entomological studies focused on sand flies (5 papers contained data on > 1 category), with a majority of the overall data from Thailand. There were relatively few studies on each country, with the exception of Thailand, and the studies applied different methods to investigate sand flies and sand fly-borne diseases, impacting the ability to conduct meaningful meta-analysis. The findings suggest that leishmaniasis in humans and the presence of sand fly vectors have been reported across several GMS countries over the past 100 years, with local transmission in humans confirmed in Thailand and Vietnam. Additionally, local Mundinia species are likely transmitted by biting midges. Findings from this study provide a framework for future investigations to determine the geographic distribution and risk profiles of leishmaniasis and other associated sand fly-borne disease throughout the GMS. It is recommended that researchers expand surveillance efforts across the GMS, with an emphasis placed on entomological surveys, syndromic and asymptomatic monitoring in both humans and animals and molecular characterization of sand flies and sand fly-borne pathogens, particularly in the understudied countries of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
Graphical abstract
Background
Species of the genus Bartonella are facultative intracellular alphaproteobacteria with zoonotic potential. Bartonella infections in humans range from mild with unspecific symptoms to life threatening, and can be transmitted via arthropod vectors or through direct contact with infected hosts, although the latter mode of transmission is rare. Among the small mammals that harbour Bartonella spp., rodents are the most speciose group and harbour the highest diversity of these parasites. Human–rodent interactions are not unlikely as many rodent species live in proximity to humans. However, a surprisingly low number of clinical cases of bartonellosis related to rodent-associated Bartonella spp. have thus far been recorded in humans.
Methods
The main purpose of this review is to determine explanatory factors for this unexpected finding, by taking a closer look at published clinical cases of bartonellosis connected with rodent-associated Bartonella species, some of which have been newly described in recent years. Thus, another focus of this review are these recently proposed species.
Conclusions
Worldwide, only 24 cases of bartonellosis caused by rodent-associated bartonellae have been reported in humans. Possible reasons for this low number of cases in comparison to the high prevalences of Bartonella in small mammal species are (i) a lack of awareness amongst physicians of Bartonella infections in humans in general, and especially those caused by rodent-associated bartonellae; and (ii) a frequent lack of the sophisticated equipment required for the confirmation of Bartonella infections in laboratories that undertake routine diagnostic testing. As regards recently described Bartonella spp., there are presently 14 rodent-associated Candidatus taxa. In contrast to species which have been taxonomically classified, there is no official process for the review of proposed Candidatus species and their names before they are published. This had led to the use of malformed names that are not based on the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. Researchers are thus encouraged to propose Candidatus names to the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes for approval before publishing them, and only to propose new species of Bartonella when the relevant datasets allow them to be clearly differentiated from known species and subspecies.
Rodents are the primary hosts of Bartonella species and carry more than 22 Bartonella species. However, the information on epidemiological characteristics and genetic diversity of Bartonella species in rodents in southeastern China is limited. From 2015 to 2020, 1,137 rodents were captured. Bartonella-positive DNA was detected in 14.9% (169/1,137) of rodents by PCR for both the ssrA and gltA genes. A highest Bartonella prevalence was detected in Apodemus agrarius (33.5%) and lowest in B. indica (1.8%). The probability of Bartonella infection in summer (20.1%) was higher than in spring (14.6%; p = .011, OR = 1.756). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that nine known Bartonella species were identified in rodents, including B. tribocorum, B. grahamii, B. rattimassiliensis, B. queenslandensis, B. elizabethae, B. phoceensis, B. coopersplainsensis, B. japonica and B. rochalimae. In our study, Bartonella species exhibited a strong association with their hosts. Zoonotic B. tribocorum, B. grahamii, B. elizabethae and B. rochalimae were found in synanthropic rodent species in southeastern China, which pose a potential threat to the public health. To prevent the spread of zoonotic Bartonella species to humans, preventive and control measures should be implemented, and more research is needed to confirm the pathogen's association with human disease.
Background and aim:
Bartonellosis is an emerging worldwide zoonosis caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Bartonella. Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of Bartonella infections from animals and humans, including reports from wild and domestic ruminants. However, there has been only one report of Bartonella infection in water buffaloes from the northeastern part of Thailand. Moreover, the seroprevalence of Bartonella spp. in water buffaloes still remains unknown. This study was conducted to explore the prevalence of Bartonella spp. among water buffaloes from South Thailand using molecular and serological techniques.
Materials and methods:
A total of 312 samples (156 blood and 156 sera) of 156 water buffaloes from 29 farms in Phatthalung Province, South Thailand, were collected from January to March 2021. All samples were screened for Bartonella spp. using polymerase chain reaction and indirect immunofluorescence assay.
Results:
The seroprevalence of antibodies against three Bartonella spp. was 16.03% (25/156, 95% confidence interval: 10.65-22.74%), and among 25 water buffaloes with seroprevalence, 56%, 20%, and 24% were positive for antibodies against Bartonella henselae, Bartonella vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii, and Bartonella tamiae, respectively. No significant difference was detected among seroprevalence, gender, age, and ectoparasite infestation.
Conclusion:
This is the first report of the seroprevalence of antibodies against B. henselae, B. vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii, and B. tamiae in water buffaloes from South Thailand. Further studies are required on the epidemiology of Bartonella infection among water buffaloes, related personnel, and ectoparasites.
Among 1,341 blood samples from rodents that were trapped in Southeast Asia between 2008 and 2010, we found a prevalence of
Bartonella infection ranging from 9.6 to 11.9%. Bartonella species identified (143 isolates) included B. elizabethae, B. coopersplainsensis, B. phoceensis, B. queenslandensis, B. rattimassiliensis, B. tribocorum, and three new putative Bartonella species.
The aim of this study was to determine Bartonella prevalence and diversity in Namaqua rock mice, Micaelamys namaquensis, a species endemic to South Africa, which can attain pest status. A total of 100 heart samples collected monthly from March to December were screened for Bartonella genome presence using three primer sets targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene, the NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) gene and the RNA polymerase β-subunit-encoding gene (rpoB). An overall prevalence of 44% was obtained, with no statistically significant differences or correlations between infection rates and rodent sex, month of capture or season of capture. Phylogenetic analysis of 34 unambiguous gltA sequences revealed the presence of three discrete Bartonella lineages in M. namaquensis, one of which corresponds to Bartonella elizabethae, a species with known zoonotic potential.
Bartonella spp. prevalence in small mammals and their ectoparasites was investigated in Taiwan. Blood samples were obtained from 66 rats, 20 shrews, 276 mites (Laelaps spp.), 74 fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis), 81 lice (Polyplax spp.), and 47 ticks (41 Dermacentor spp. and 6 Ixodes spp.). Bartonellae were isolated or detected in 27 (31.4%) animals. Bartonella DNA was detected in 48 (64.9%) fleas and 11 (64.7%) pooled lice samples, but not in mite and tick samples. Bartonella phoceensis, B. queenslandensis, B. tribocorum, B. elizabethae, and B. rattimassiliensis were isolated or detected in bacteremic mammals. For the first time in Taiwan, B. tribocorum, B. elizabethae, B. queenslandensis, and a B. rochalimae-like strain were detected in fleas, and B. tribocorum, B. phoceensis, and B. rattimassiliensis were detected in lice obtained from small mammals. A broader range of Bartonella species was identified in the ectoparasites than in the small mammals.
To determine the role of Bartonella species as causes of acute febrile illness in humans from Thailand, we used a novel strategy of co-cultivation of blood with eukaryotic cells and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of Bartonella-specific DNA products. Bartonella species were identified in 14 blood clots from febrile patients. Sequence analysis showed that more than one-half of the genotypes identified in human patients were similar or identical to homologous sequences identified in rodents from Asia and were closely related to B. elizabethae, B. rattimassiliensis, and B. tribocorum. The remaining genotypes belonged to B. henselae, B. vinsonii, and B. tamiae. Among the positive febrile patients, animal exposure was common: 36% reported owning either dogs or cats and 71% reported rat exposure during the 2 weeks before illness onset. The findings suggest that rodents are likely reservoirs for a substantial portion of cases of human Bartonella infections in Thailand.
European Russia is a highly endemic area of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), a rodent-borne zoonotic disease, caused by hantaviruses. In total, 145 small mammals of four species (Myodes glareolus, Apodemus flavicollis, A. agrarius, and A. uralensis) were trapped in the Samara region of European Russia in August 2005 and examined for the presence of hantavirus (HV). Anti-HV antibodies were found in six of 68 (8.8%) M. glareolus and in one of 19 (5.3%) A. flavicollis by indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA). The Puumala virus (PUUV), which is one of the hantavirus species, was detected in the lungs of seven M. glareolus by RT-PCR. The virus S-segment was extremely similar (96.2% to 99.3%) to the sequence found in a fatal case of HFRS in the Samara region. Phylogenetic analyses of S and M segments showed that the Samara PUUVs form a cluster within the Russian Volga lineage and apparently differ from other European PUUVs. Anti-PUUV antibodies were found in blood sera from seven HFRS patients and from one undiagnosed patient from the Samara region, using IFA and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These data suggest that the bank vole M. glareolus is a primary natural reservoir and vector for PUUV, which is the main causative agent of HFRS in humans in the Samara region.
To study the distribution and diversity of Bartonella in rodents from Thailand, 330 rodents belonging to 13 species were tested. The majority (80.6%) of rodents examined belonged to the genus Rattus. Bartonellae were cultured from 41.5% of the rodents with a wide range of prevalence by host species and regions. Sequencing of gltA revealed diverse Bartonella strains. Bartonellae from Rattus spp. belonged to 23 variants and clustered with Bartonella coopersplainensis, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella phoceensis, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella tribocorum, and an unknown geno-group. Bartonellae from Bandicota spp. belonged to six variants and clustered with B. coopersplainensis, B. rattimassilliensis, and B. tribocorum. Three variants from Mus spp. clustered with B. coopersplainensis or B. rattimassilliensis. The only isolate from a Berylmys berdmorei fell into the B. tribocorum group. The observations highlight the need to study these agents for their role in human febrile illnesses of unknown etiology in Thailand and elsewhere in Asia.
Two bacterial strains, Fuji 18-1(T) and Fuji 23-1(T), were isolated from the blood of the small Japanese field mouse (Apodemus argenteus) and the large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus), respectively, specimens of which were captured in the forest of Mount Fuji, Japan. Phenotypic characterization (growth conditions, incubation periods, biochemical properties and cell morphologies), DNA G+C contents (40.1 mol% for strain Fuji 18-1(T) and 40.4 mol% for strain Fuji 23-1(T)) and sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA genes indicated that both strains were members of the genus Bartonella. Using rpoB and gltA sequencing analysis, the highest sequence similarities between strains Fuji 18-1(T), Fuji 23-1(T) and other recognized species of the genus Bartonella showed values considerably lower than 91.4 % and 89.9 % in the rpoB gene and 89.1 % and 90.4 % in the gltA gene, respectively. It is known that similarities of 95.4 % for the rpoB gene and 96.0 % for the gltA gene can be applied as cut-off values for the designation of novel species of the genus Bartonella. In a phylogenetic tree based on the merged set of concatenated sequences of seven loci [16S rRNA, ftsZ, gltA, groEL, ribC and rpoB genes and the intergenic spacer region (ITS)], strains Fuji 18-1(T) and Fuji 23-1(T) formed a distinct clade from other recognized species of the genus Bartonella. These data support the classification of strains Fuji 18-1(T) and Fuji 23-1(T) as novel species of the genus Bartonella. The names Bartonella japonica sp. nov. and Bartonella silvatica sp. nov. are proposed for these novel species. The type strains of Bartonella japonica sp. nov. and Bartonella silvatica sp. nov. are Fuji 18-1(T) (=JCM 15567(T)=CIP 109861(T)) and Fuji 23-1(T) (=JCM 15566(T)=CIP 109862(T)), respectively.
A total of 11 Bartonella isolates were recovered from the blood of Melomys, Uromys and Rattus species in Australia and were characterized using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene, ftsZ, gltA and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region sequences from the isolates indicated that they formed three sequence similarity groups that were distinct from one another and from the currently recognized Bartonella species. Phylogenetic analysis based on alignment of concatenated sequences inferred distinct evolutionary lineages for each of the three groups within the genus Bartonella. On the basis of these data, we propose the isolates be accommodated in three novel Bartonella species, namely Bartonella rattaustraliani sp. nov. (type strain AUST/NH4(T) =CIP 109051(T) =CCUG 52161(T) =CSUR B609(T)), Bartonella queenslandensis sp. nov. (type strain AUST/NH12(T) =CIP 109057(T) =CCUG 52167(T) =CSUR B617(T)) and Bartonella coopersplainsensis sp. nov. (type strain AUST/NH20(T) =CIP 109064(T) =CCUG 52174(T) =CSUR B619(T)).
An increasing number of Bartonella species originally isolated from small mammals have been identified as emerging human pathogens. During an investigation of Bartonella infection in rodent populations carried out in Taiwan in 2006, a total of 58 rodents were tested. It was determined that 10.3 % (6/58) of the animals were Bartonella bacteraemic. After PCR/RFLP analysis, four isolates were identified as Bartonella elizabethae and one isolate as Bartonella tribocorum. However, there was one specific isolate with an unrecognized PCR/RFLP pattern. After further sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the gltA, ftsZ and rpoB genes, and the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region, the results indicated that this specific isolate from Rattus norvegicus was closely related to human pathogenic 'Bartonella rochalimae'. Further studies need to be conducted to evaluate whether this rodent species could be a reservoir for 'B. rochalimae'.
Two Bartonella strains from blood of two wild rats (Rattus norvegicus) living in a rural environment were isolated. These strains were distinct from all previously known Bartonella species based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. This new species is distinguished by its trypsin-like activity, the absence of the ability to hydrolyse proline and tributyrin, its 16S rRNA and citrate synthase gene sequences and by whole-DNA hybridization data. This new species, for which the name Bartonella tribocorum sp. nov. is proposed, seems to be genetically related to Bartonella elizabethae, an agent isolated in a case of human endocarditis. The type strain of Bartonella tribocorum sp. nov. is IBS 506T (CIP 105476T).
We describe the clinical and laboratory features of a 55-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-negative female patient who presented with bilateral intraocular inflammatory disease (neuroretinitis type) and behavioral changes caused by a Bartonella grahamii infection. Diagnosis was based on the PCR analysis of DNA extracted from the intraocular fluids. DNA analysis of the PCR product revealed a 100% identity with the 16S rRNA gene sequence of B. grahamii. The patient was successfully treated with doxycycline (200 mg/day) and rifampin (600 mg/day) for 4 weeks. This is the first report that demonstrates the presence of a Bartonella species in the intraocular fluids of a nonimmunocompromised patient and that indicates that B. grahamii is pathogenic for humans.
Identification of Bartonella species is of increasing importance as the number of infections in which these bacteria are involved increases. To date,
these gram-negative bacilli have been identified by various serological, biochemical, and genotypic methods. However, the
development of alternative tools is required, principally to circumvent a major risk of contamination during sample manipulation.
The aim of our study was to investigate the possible identification of various Bartonella species by comparison of RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB) sequences. This approach has previously been shown to be useful for the identification of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (C. M. Mollet, M. Drancourt, and D. Raoult, Mol. Microbiol. 26:1005–1011, 1997). Following PCR amplification with specific
oligonucleotides, a 825-bp region of the rpoB gene was sequenced from 13 distinct Bartonella strains. Analysis of these sequences allowed selection of three restriction enzymes (ApoI,AluI, and AflIII) useful for discerning the different strains by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. To confirm
the potential value of such an approach for identification of Bartonella, the rpoB PCR was then applied to 94 clinical samples, and the results obtained were identical to those obtained by our reference PCR
method. Twenty-four isolates were also adequately identified by PCR-RFLP analysis. In all cases, our results were in accordance
with those of the reference method. Moreover, conserved regions of DNA were chosen as suitable primer targets for PCR amplification
of a 439-bp fragment which can be easily sequenced.
The definition of new species is currently based on polyphasic classification that includes both determination of phenotypic characteristics and DNA-DNA homology. However, none of these techniques is convenient for the rapid characterization of fastidious or non-culturable bacteria. Using sequences available in the GenBank database, we compared the similarities of gene fragments among the currently recognized Bartonella species. This comparison led to both the definition of similarity values that discriminated Bartonella at the species level and assessment of the relative discriminatory power of each gene examined. In this perspective, rpoB and gltA were found to be the most potent.
We report results of the first study to investigate the distribution and diversity of Bartonella in rodents from Thailand. Whole blood from 195 rodents, representing six species, was tested for the presence of Bartonella species using standard culture techniques. Isolates were obtained from 17 (8.7%) of the samples, and 14 of those isolates represented distinct strains, based upon partial sequencing of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates and other Bartonella species indicated that five unique isolates from Bandicota indica form a cluster that may represent a new Bartonella species. Two additional isolates from B. indica clustered together, and were nearly identical to an isolate from Apodemus draco collected in southern China. Importantly, a number of the isolates from Thailand rodents are closely related to B. grahamii and B. elizabethae, species which have been associated with human illness.
Thirty-three isolates of Bartonella spp., including 11 isolates not belonging to previously known species, were isolated from 66 Rattus norvegicus subjects trapped in the city of Marseille, France. Based on seven different gene sequences, the 11 isolates were assigned
to Bartonella rattimassiliensis sp. nov. and Bartonella phoceensis sp. nov.
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was isolated from the intestinal contents of Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus house rats captured at two buildings, designated buildings J and YS, in Yokohama City, Japan. From October 1997 to September
1998, 52 of 339 (15.3%) house rats were found to carry Salmonella serovar Typhimurium definitive phage type 104 (DT104). In building J, 26 of 161 (16.1%) house rats carried DT104 over the
1-year study period, compared to 26 of 178 (14.6%) rats in building YS. The isolation rates of DT104 from R. rattus and R. norvegicus were similar in the two buildings. Most DT104 strains from building J (24 of 26) showed resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol,
streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline and contained both the 1.0- and 1.2-kbp integrons, carrying genes pse1, pasppflo-like, aadA2, sulI, and tet(G). All DT104 strains from building YS were resistant to ampicillin and sulfisoxazole, and had the 1.2-kbp integron carrying
pse1 and sulI. Cluster analysis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of BlnI-digested DT104 DNAs showed that 22 of 26 DT104 strains
from building J and 24 of 26 strains from building YS could be grouped into separate clusters each specific for the building
origin. These results indicated that DT104 strains were prevalent in house rat colonies in each building and suggest that
house rats may play an important role in the epidemiology of DT104.
Bartonella species cause serious human infections globally, including bacillary angiomatosis, Oroya fever, trench fever, and endocarditis. We describe a patient who had fever and splenomegaly after traveling to Peru and also had bacteremia from an organism that resembled Bartonella bacilliformis, the causative agent of Oroya fever, which is endemic to Peru. However, genetic analyses revealed that this fastidious bacterium represented a previously uncultured and unnamed bartonella species, closely related to B. clarridgeiae and more distantly related to B. bacilliformis. We characterized this isolate, including its ability to cause fever and sustained bacteremia in a rhesus macaque. The route of infection and burden of human disease associated with this newly described pathogen are currently unknown.
Three strains of a novel Bartonella species (Bartonella tamiae) were isolated from human patients from Thailand. Sequence analysis of six chromosomal regions (16S rRNA, gltA, groEL, ftsZ, rpoB, and the intergenic spacer region) and phenotypical analysis supported the similarity of the three strains and placed them
within the genus Bartonella separately from previously described species.
Here, we describe for the first time the prevalence and genetic properties of Bartonella organisms in wild rodents in Japan. We captured 685 wild rodents throughout Japan (in 12 prefectures) and successfully isolated
Bartonella organisms from 176 of the 685 rodents (isolation rate, 25.7%). Those Bartonella isolates were all obtained from the rodents captured in suburban areas (rate, 51.8%), but no organism was isolated from the
animals captured in city areas. Sequence analysis of rpoB and gltA revealed that the Bartonella isolates obtained were classified into eight genetic groups, comprising isolates closely related to B. grahamii (A-I group), B. tribocorum and B. elizabethae (B-J group), B. tribocorum and B. rattimassiliensis (C-K group), B. rattimassiliensis (D-L group), B. phoceensis (F-N group), B. taylorii (G-O group), and probably two additional novel Bartonella species groups (E-M and H-P). B. grahamii, which is one of the potential causative agents of human neuroretinitis, was found to be predominant in Japanese rodents.
In terms of the relationships between these Bartonella genetic groups and their rodent species, (i) the A-I, E-M, and H-P groups appear to be associated with Apodemus speciosus and Apodemus argenteus; (ii) the C-K, D-L, and F-N groups are likely implicated in Rattus rattus; (iii) the B-J group seems to be involved in Apodemus mice and R. rattus; and (iv) the G-O group is probably associated with A. speciosus and Clethrionomys voles. Furthermore, dual infections with two different genetic groups of bartonellae were found in A. speciosus and R. rattus. These findings suggest that the rodent in Japan might serve as a reservoir of zoonotic Bartonella infection.
Four novel Bartonella strains, OY2-1T, BR11-1T, FN15-2T, and KS2-1T, were isolated from the blood of wild-captive greater Egyptian jerboa (Jaculus orientalis), plantain squirrel (Callosciurus notaus), fat-tailed gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi), and golden spiny mouse (Acomys russatus). All the animals were imported to Japan as pets from Egypt, Thailand, and the Netherlands. The phenotypic characterization (growth conditions, incubation periods, biochemical properties and cell morphologies), DNA G + C contents (37.4 mol% for strain OY2-1T, 35.5 mol% for strain BR11-1T, 35.7 mol% for strain FN15-2T, and 37.2 mol% for strain KS2-1T), and sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA genes indicated that those strains belong to the genus Bartonella. Sequence comparisons of gltA and rpoB genes suggested that all of the strains should be classified as novel Bartonella species. In phylogenetic trees based on the concatenated sequences of 5 loci including the 16S rRNA, ftsZ, gltA, rpoB genes, and the ITS region and on the concatenated deduced amino acid sequences of 3 housekeeping genes (ftsZ, gltA, and rpoB), all strains formed distinct clades and showed unique mammalian hosts that could be discriminated from other known species of the genus Bartonella. These data strongly support that strains OY2-1T, BR11-1T, FN15-2T, and KS2-1T should be classified as novel species of the genus Bartonella. The names Bartonella jaculi sp. nov., Bartonella callosciuri sp. nov., Bartonella pachyuromydis sp. nov., and Bartonella acomydis sp. nov. are proposed for these novel species. Type strains of Bartonella jaculi sp. nov., Bartonella callosciuri sp. nov., Bartonella pachyuromydis sp. nov., and Bartonella acomydis sp. nov. are OY2-1T (=JCM 17712=KCTC 23655), BR11-1T (=JCM 17709=KCTC 23909), FN15-2T (=JCM 17714=KCTC 23657), and KS2-1T(= JCM17706=KCTC 23907), respectively.
Bartonella species, intracellular parasite of erythrocytes and endothelial cells, are zoonotic pathogens of wild and domestic animals including rodents. Many species of rodents are commensally infected with a few Bartonella species in Asia. However, there are only few reports on detection of Bartonella in Thailand. Our objective was to detect the presence of Bartonella species in rodents from Thailand. Among 247 rodents captured in five provinces from Thailand we identified Bartonella species using molecular methods targeting three genes i.e. citrate synthase (gltA), beta-subunit of the RNA polymerase (rpoB) and cell division protein gene (ftsZ) and the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer (ITS). Overall, we found 21 rodents being infected with a Bartonella species including seven B. coopersplainsensis, four B. phoceensis, six B. queenslandensis, one B. rochalimae, one Bartonella sp. RN24BJ and two genotypes of a new Bartonella that we propose to give the provisional status "Candidatus Bartonella thailandensis". To the best of our knowledge, these Bartonella species have been detected for the first time in Thailand.
During the period of August 2002 and November 2004, an epidemiological investigation for Bartonella infection was conducted in small mammals in Taiwan. Using whole blood culture on chocolate agar plates, Bartonella species were successfully isolated from 41.3% of the 310 animals tested. The isolation rate of Bartonella species varied among different animal species, including 52.7% of the 169 Rattus norvegicus, 28.6% of the 126 Sucus murinus, 10% of the 10 Rattus rattus and 66.7% of the three Rattus losea. Bacteremia prevalence also varied with the origin of the animals, as 56.2% of the animals captured on farms, 38.6% of the ones captured at harbour sites and 11.8% of the animals captured from urban areas were bacteremic. Through molecular analysis of the gltA gene and 16S/23S intergenic spacer region, genetic diversity of Bartonella organisms was identified, including strains closely related to Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella grahamii, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella phoceensis and Bartonella rattimassiliensis. Moreover, this is the first report of zoonotic B. elizabethae and B. grahamii identified in R. losea, the lesser rice-field rat. Various Bartonella species were identified in R. norvegicus, compared to 97.2% of Suncus murinus with unique Bartonella species. By indirect immunofluorescence antibody test, using various rodent Bartonella species as antigens, consistently low percentage of seropositivity implied that small mammals may play a role as competent reservoirs of Bartonella species in Taiwan. Future studies need to be conducted to determine whether these Bartonella species would be responsible for human cases of unknown fever or febrile illness in Taiwan, especially zoonotic B. elizabethae and B. grahamii.
The citrate synthase gene (gltA) of Bartonella henselae was cloned and sequenced to compare genetic divergence among alpha and gamma branches of the class Proteobacteria and to develop enhanced genotypic reagents for B. henselae identification. B. henselae gltA is 1,293 nucleotides in length and 63 to 66% homologous with corresponding gene sequences of Rickettsia prowazekii, Escherichia coli, and Coxiella burnetii. The observed genetic variability suggests that gltA sequences can provide a useful means for studying moderate divergence among related bacteria. Oligonucleotides specific for B. henselae gltA were evaluated for the ability to prime PCR amplification within the alpha and gamma branches of the proteobacteria. Under the conditions used, only B. henselae, Bartonella quintana, and R. prowazekii template DNAs yielded amplification products (approximately 380 bp). DNAs from 28 Bartonella-like isolates of feline origin were amplified by B. henselae primers and analyzed for restriction fragment length polymorphism. The resulting patterns for all 28 isolates were similar or identical to that of the recognized B. henselae strain. Current studies are aimed at optimization of PCR conditions for specificity and sensitivity of amplification of Bartonella sequences from clinical isolates.
In November 1992 and June and August 1993 rectal contents from 204 small mammals living in the wild were collected and examined for the presence of Yersinia enterocolitica serovar O:8 to clarify the source of human infections caused by this microbe in the Tsugaru Region of Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Serovar O:8 was isolated from 10 (5.2%) of 193 wild rodents trapped in June 1993 (9 of 107) and August 1993 (1 of 23) but not from animals trapped in November 1992 (0 of 63). This serovar was not isolated from 11 moles. From May to September 1993, 12 human patients were found to have become ill and to be infected with Y. enterocolitica O:8. The patients lived in the same districts where the wild rodents harboring serovar O:8 were trapped. Two different patterns by restriction enzyme analysis of the virulence plasmid were observed. One pattern obtained by restriction enzyme analysis of the virulence plasmid was observed in 20 isolates from 11 human patients and 9 wild rodents, and the other was observed in 2 isolates from 1 human patient and 1 wild rodent. These findings indicate that wild rodents seem to play an important role as a source of human Y. enterocolitica O:8 infection.
A Rochalimaea-like organism (strain F9251) was isolated from a patient with endocarditis after blood drawn for culture before antimicrobial therapy was subcultured onto blood and chocolate agars and incubated for 2 weeks in 5% CO2. The strain was phenotypically similar to known Rochalimaea species. The cellular fatty acid composition of strain F9251 was close to but distinct from those of the three known Rochalimaea species and was most similar to that of R. vinsonii. Labeled DNA from strain F9251 was 59 to 67% related to DNAs from type strains of the three described Rochalimaea species, and its 16S rRNA gene sequence was 98.9% or more homologous to their 16S rRNA gene sequences. These findings support classification of F9251 as a new Rochalimaea species, for which the name Rochalimaea elizabethae sp. nov. is proposed. The patient infected with the organism had large bacterial vegetations on his aortic valve and was cured with antibiotics and valve-replacement surgery. Recognition of the procedures required to identify this and other Rochalimaea species suggests that clinical laboratories should prolong the incubation times of cultures of blood and tissue from patients with suspected endocarditis, patients with fever of unknown origin, and immunocompromised patients with fever so that the full spectrum of disease caused by these organisms can be recognized.
Rodents, collected in three zoogeographical regions across Slovenia, were tested for the presence of bartonellae using direct PCR-based amplification of 16S/23S rRNA gene intergenic spacer region (ITS) fragments from splenic DNA extracts. Bartonella DNA was detected in four species of rodents, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus agrarius and Clethrionomys glareolus, in all three zoogeographic regions at an overall prevalence of 40.4%. The prevalence of infection varied significantly between rodent species and zoogeographical regions. Comparison of ITS sequences obtained from bartonellae revealed six sequence variants. Four of these matched the ITS sequences of the previously recognized species, Bartonella taylorii, Bartonella grahamii, Bartonella doshiae and Bartonella birtlesii, but one was new. The identity of the bartonellae from which the novel ITS sequences was obtained were further assessed by sequence analysis of cell division protein-encoding gene (ftsZ) fragments. This analysis demonstrated that the strain is most likely a representative of possible new species within the genus.
Isolation of Bar-tonella species from rodents in Taiwan including a strain closely Please cite this article in press as: Pangjai D, et al. Prevalence of zoonotic Bartonella species among rodents and shrews in ThailandBartonella rochalimae' from Rattus norvegicus
- Chen Wc Bb
- Chang Cc
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Lin JW, Chen CY, Chen WC, Chomel BB, Chang CC. Isolation of Bar-tonella species from rodents in Taiwan including a strain closely Please cite this article in press as: Pangjai D, et al. Prevalence of zoonotic Bartonella species among rodents and shrews in Thailand. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2013.12.001 ARTICLE IN PRESS G Model CIMID-952; No. of Pages 6 6 D. Pangjai et al. / Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases xxx (2014) xxx– xxx related to 'Bartonella rochalimae' from Rattus norvegicus. J Med Micro-biol 2008;57(Pt 12):1496–501.
Isolation of Bar-tonella species from rodents in Taiwan including a strain closely
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Lin JW, Chen CY, Chen WC, Chomel BB, Chang CC. Isolation of Bar-tonella species from rodents in Taiwan including a strain closely