The diverse genetic genotypes of Bartonella species circulating in rodents from Inner Mongolia, Northern China

Abstract

Bartonella are generally recognized as zoonotic pathogens of mammals, including many rodent species. However, data on the genetic diversity of Bartonella in some regions are still absent in China. In this study, we collected rodent samples (Meriones unguiculatus, Spermophilus dauricus, Eolagurus luteus, and Cricetulus barabensis) from Inner Mongolia located in Northern China. The Bartonella were detected and identified by sequencing the gltA, ftsZ, ITS, and groEL genes in them. An overall 47.27% (52/110) positive rate was observed. This may be the first report that M. unguiculatus and E. luteus harbor Bartonella. Phylogenetic and genetic analysis on gltA, ftsZ, ITS, and groEL genes indicated that the strains were divided into seven distinct clades, suggesting the diverse genetic genotypes of Bartonella species in this area. Of those, Clade 5 meets the criteria for identification as a novel species based on gene sequence dissimilarity to known Bartonella species and herein we name it “Candidatus Bartonella mongolica”.

Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Rickettsia infections in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus), Hebei, China

“…Among the rodent-associated Bartonella species, eight detected in Daurian ground squirrels, including B. rochalimae and B. washoensis , are pathogenic to humans ( Jian et al, 2022 ). In addition to B. washoensis , which was identified in Daurian ground squirrels in a previous study ( Inoue et al, 2009 ; Li et al, 2023b ), B. grahamii and B. jaculi were detected in Daurian ground squirrels in the present study. Combining the data from previous and our studies, four Bartonella species have been recovered in Daurian ground squirrels, indicating that this rodent species is an important host of Bartonella .…”

“…In China, a tentative Ehrlichia species was identified from this ground squirrel in Inner Mongolia ( Li et al, 2023a ). In addition, B. rochalimae and B. washoensis were detected in Inner Mongolia ( Li et al, 2023b ). Except for the three above-mentioned bacterial species and Y. pestis , no other vector-borne intracellular bacteria have been found in Daurian ground squirrels.…”