Molecular detection of Bartonella species and haemoplasmas in wild African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Mozambique, Africa

Abstract

The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), a mammal species whose population is declining, can play a role as a reservoir or carrier of a wide number of arthropod-borne pathogens. Translocation procedures have been used as an alternative approach for species conservation. However, the veterinary aspects of this sort of procedures are extremely important to minimize the impact on animal health. In order to detectBartonellaand haemoplasmas, two important group of bacterial that have an impact in both human and animal health, EDTA whole-blood samples were screened for the presence of these bacterial pathogens by molecular techniques. As a result, a molecular occurrence of 4.1 and 15.4% forBartonellaspp. and haemoplasmas, respectively, was reported among 97 wild buffaloes sampled during a translocation procedure from Marromeu to Gorongosa Reserve, Mozambique. Additionally, phylogenetic analyses of the obtained sequences were conducted. At least, three bovine-associated pathogens, namelyB. bovis,M. wenyoniiand ‘CandidatusM. haemobos’, as well as a probably newBartonellagenotype/species were detected inS. caffer.Further studies are needed in order to determine whether these bacterial species may cause impact in buffaloes and other sympatric ruminant species living in the release site.

Worldwide occurrence of haemoplasmas in wildlife: Insights into the patterns of infection, transmission, pathology and zoonotic potential

“…The only study in a bovine included 97 wild buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) from Mozambique using species-specific primers, which detected both M. wenyonii and Ca. M. haematobovis, including four cases of coinfection (Gonçalves et al, 2018). Among suids, only wild boars (Sus scrofa) have been investigated.…”

Molecular Evidence of Bartonella melophagi in Ticks in Border Areas of Xinjiang, China

“…At present, there are 5 kinds of Bartonella related to ruminants: B. bovis, B. chomelii, B. schoenbuchensis, B. capreoli, and B. melophagi. An increasing number of Candidatus Bartonella species and different genotypes have been reported in ruminants (4)(5)(6)(7). Previous studies have shown that Bartonella DNA is amplified in ruminant-related blood-eating arthropods, including Hippoboscidae flies from Europe and Algeria (8,9), Stomoxys spp.…”

Molecular detection and genetic diversity of Bartonella species in large ruminants and associated ectoparasites from the Brazilian Cerrado

“…Currently, five Bartonella species named Bartonella bovis , Bartonella chomelii , Bartonella schoenbuchensis , Bartonella capreoli and Bartonella melophagi have been associated with ruminants. In addition, an expanding number of Candidatus to Bartonella species and different genotypes have been globally reported in ruminants (Dahmani et al, 2017; Gonçalves et al, 2018; Raya et al, 2018; Razanske et al, 2018). Interestingly, these species and recently detected genotypes are phylogenetically related and exclusively associated with these animals (Kosoy et al, 2016).…”

“…Although Bartonella infections have been reported in cattle worldwide (Antequera‐Gómez et al, 2015; Bai et al, 2013; Bermond et al, 2002; Gutiérrez et al, 2014; Roilan, Rousset, Scola, Duquesnel, & Raoult, 2003; Tsai et al, 2011), only two studies reported Bartonella in buffaloes so far (Bai et al, 2013; Gonçalves et al, 2018). While the first study isolated B. bovis in Asian buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis ) from Thailand, the second amplified Bartonella DNA in wild African buffaloes ( Syncerus caffer ) from Mozambique.…”