Association of Bartonella Species with Wild and Synanthropic Rodents in Different Brazilian Biomes

Abstract

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. IMPORTANCEIn 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.

Bartonella Bacteria in Urban Rats: A Movement From the Jungles of Southeast Asia to Metropoles Around the Globe

“…Though these rats can disperse over long distances, investigations of marked animals demonstrated that they tend to live within small individual territories, sometimes not extending beyond a single building. Genetic analysis using microsatellite markers showed that rats demonstrate strong site fidelity (Gardner-Santana et al, 2009). However, there was evidence of infrequent, longdistance movements within the city indicated by capturing some rats 2-11.5 km away from the locations assigned based on the genetic analysis (Gardner-Santana et al, 2009).…”

“…Genetic analysis using microsatellite markers showed that rats demonstrate strong site fidelity (Gardner-Santana et al, 2009). However, there was evidence of infrequent, longdistance movements within the city indicated by capturing some rats 2-11.5 km away from the locations assigned based on the genetic analysis (Gardner-Santana et al, 2009). Among factors influencing rat presence and abundance, Himsworth et al (2014b) suggested building condition and specific land use.…”

Evidence and molecular characterization ofBartonellaspp. and hemoplasmas in neotropical bats in Brazil

“…have been detected in a variety of wild animals all over the world. In Brazil, these agents have been reported in several wild mammals, such as wild carnivores [15][16][17], deer [18], peccary [19], non-human primates [20,21], and rodents [22][23][24][25][26].…”

Molecular detection ofBartonellain fleas (Hexapoda, Siphonaptera) collected from wild rodents (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) from Argentina

“…Different species of Bartonella associated with rodents have been implicated as causing human disease, including endocarditis, myocarditis, fever, neurological signs, meningitis, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy (Buffet et al, 2013;Gutiérrez et al, 2015;Gonçalves et al, 2016). Studies from Argentina are rare, with only Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana in humans, B. henselae and Bartonella vinsonii subsp.…”