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Peng TL, Kamar AH, Mohamed M, Gilbert B, Mohd Sani NI, C.W. Zalati CS, Hamdan RH, Samoh A, Loong SK. Molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in bat flies in east coast Malaysia. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29785. [PMID: 38699006 PMCID: PMC11064076 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bats are a significant reservoir for numerous pathogens, including Bartonella spp. It is one of the emerging zoonotic bacterial diseases that can be transmitted to humans and may cause various unspecific clinical manifestations. Thus, bartonellosis is rarely diagnosed and is regarded as a neglected vector-borne disease (VBD). Bat flies have been hypothesised to be a vector in the transmission of pathogens among bats. They are host-specific, which reduces the likelihood of pathogen transmission across bat species; however, they are likely to maintain high pathogen loads within their host species. To explore the presence of Bartonella spp. in bat flies from Peninsular Malaysia; bat fly samples collected from various sites at the east coast states were subjected to molecular detection for Bartonella spp. It was discovered that 38.7 % of bats from Terengganu and Kelantan were infested with bat flies; however, no bat fly was found in bats collected from Pahang. The collected bat flies belonged to the families Nycteribiidae (79.6 %) and Streblidae (20.4 %). The collected bat flies were pooled according to the locations and species into 39 pools. Out of these 39 pools, 66.7 % (n = 26) were positive for Bartonella spp. by PCR. Sequence analyses of five randomly selected PCR-positive pools revealed that pools from Kelantan (n = 3) have the closest sequence identities (99 %) to Bartonella spp. strain Lisso-Nig-922 from Nigeria. However, the other pools from Terengganu (n = 2) were closely related to Bartonella spp. strain KP277 from Thailand and Bartonella spp. strain Rhin-3 from the Republic of Georgia with 99 % and 100 % sequence identity, respectively. This suggests that the Bartonella spp. found in Malaysian bat flies are genetically diverse and can potentially serve as reservoirs for pathogenic Bartonella spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Li Peng
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jalan Padang Tembak, City Campus, Pengkalan Chepa, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Azra Hafizah Kamar
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jalan Padang Tembak, City Campus, Pengkalan Chepa, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Maizan Mohamed
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jalan Padang Tembak, City Campus, Pengkalan Chepa, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Brenda Gilbert
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jalan Padang Tembak, City Campus, Pengkalan Chepa, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Nani Izreen Mohd Sani
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jalan Padang Tembak, City Campus, Pengkalan Chepa, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - C.W. Salma C.W. Zalati
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jalan Padang Tembak, City Campus, Pengkalan Chepa, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Ruhil Hayati Hamdan
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jalan Padang Tembak, City Campus, Pengkalan Chepa, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Abdulloh Samoh
- Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Prince of Songkhla University, Hat Yai Campus, Kho Hong, 90112, Hat Yai, Thailand
| | - Shih Keng Loong
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), Higher Institution Centre of Excellence, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Špitalská E, Ševčík M, Peresh YY, Benda P. Bartonella in bat flies from the Egyptian fruit bat in the Middle East. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:144. [PMID: 38411931 PMCID: PMC10899309 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08165-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
In the family of fruit bats, Pteropodidae Gray, 1821, as in the third most diverse group of bats (Chiroptera), the bacterium of the genus Bartonella was detected in several species as well as in a few species of their insect ectoparasites in some tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Old World. The Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy, 1810), is one of the most widespread fruit bats, occurring between South Africa, Senegal, and Pakistan. In this bat species, Candidatus Bartonella rousetti has been detected in three African populations in Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia. This fruit bat, however, also occurs in the Palaearctic, an area isolating the species geographically and phylogenetically from the Afrotropical part of its distribution range. We screened the blood-sucking bat flies (family Nycteribiidae) from R. aegyptiacus for the presence of the Bartonella bacteria. A rich material of bat fly Eucampsipoda aegyptia (Macquart, 1850), a monoxenous ectoparasite of the Egyptian fruit bats, was collected at 26 localities in seven countries (Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) of the Middle East in 2007-2013. The DNA isolates from the bat flies were subjected to a three-marker (gltA, ssrA, and intergenic spacer region, ITS) multilocus sequence analysis. Based on the amplification of the fragment of ssrA gene by a real-time PCR, 65 E. aegyptia samples from 19 localities in all seven countries were positive for the bacteria. One to five Bartonella-positive individuals of E. aegyptia were collected per one individual of R. aegyptiacus. An analysis of the ITS and gltA genes indicated the presence of an uncultured Bartonella sp., belonging to the Cand. B. rousetti genogroup, identified from populations of the Egyptian fruit bat in Africa. These results support the hypothesis that Bartonella's diversity corresponds to its host's diversity (and phylogenetic structure). Specific lineages of pathogens are present in specific phylogenetic groups of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Špitalská
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Martin Ševčík
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Yevheniy-Yuliy Peresh
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petr Benda
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 43, Praha 2, Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, National Museum (Natural History), Václavské nám. 68, 115 79, Praha 1, Czech Republic
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Becker DJ, Dyer KE, Lock LR, Pladas SA, Sukhadia AA, Demory B, Batista JMN, Pineda M, Simmons NB, Adams AM, Frick WF, O’Mara MT, Volokhov DV. Geographically widespread and novel hemotropic mycoplasmas and bartonellae in Mexican free-tailed bats and sympatric North American bat species. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.08.577874. [PMID: 38370734 PMCID: PMC10871349 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.08.577874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens remain poorly characterized in bats, especially in North America. We describe novel (and in some cases panmictic) hemoplasmas (12.9% positivity) and bartonellae (16.7% positivity) across three colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), a partially migratory species that can seasonally travel hundreds of kilometers. Molecular analyses identified three novel Candidatus hemoplasma species most similar to another novel Candidatus species in Neotropical molossid bats. We also detected novel hemoplasmas in sympatric cave myotis (Myotis velifer) and pallid bats (Antrozous pallidus), with sequences in the latter 96.5% related to C. Mycoplasma haemohominis. We identified eight Bartonella genotypes, including those in cave myotis, with 96.7% similarity to C. Bartonella mayotimonensis. We also detected Bartonella rochalimae in migratory Tadarida brasiliensis, representing the first report of this human pathogen in bats. The seasonality and diversity of these bacteria observed here suggest that additional longitudinal, genomic, and immunological studies in bats are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Becker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Kristin E. Dyer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Lauren R. Lock
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Shawn A. Pladas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA, USA
| | | | - Bret Demory
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Juliana Maria Nunes Batista
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Micaela Pineda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA, USA
| | - Nancy B. Simmons
- Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Winifred F. Frick
- Bat Conservation International, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - M. Teague O’Mara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA, USA
- Bat Conservation International, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
| | - Dmitriy V. Volokhov
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Laine VN, Pulliainen AT, Lilley TM. Reference genome for the Northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii), a most northern bat species. J Hered 2024; 115:149-154. [PMID: 37791665 PMCID: PMC10838120 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esad056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii) is the most northern bat species in the world. Its distribution covers whole Eurasia, and the species is thus well adapted to different habitat types. However, recent population declines have been reported and rapid conservation efforts are needed. Here we present a high-quality de novo genome assembly of a female northern bat from Finland (BLF_Eptnil_asm_v1.0). The assembly was generated using a combination of Pacbio and Omni-C technologies. The primary assembly comprises 726 scaffolds spanning 2.0 Gb, represented by a scaffold N50 of 102 Mb, a contig N50 of 66.2 Mb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 93.73%. Annotation of the assembly identified 20,250 genes. This genome will be an important resource for the conservation and evolutionary genomic studies especially in understanding how rapid environmental changes affect northern species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika N Laine
- BatLab Finland, Zoology unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Thomas M Lilley
- BatLab Finland, Zoology unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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5
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Yang J, Wang Y, Yang H, Zhang X, Zheng X, Huang X. Infection status and molecular detection of pathogens carried by ectoparasites of Miniopterus fuliginosus bats in Yunnan, China. Parasitol Int 2024; 98:102823. [PMID: 37967717 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Bats serve as natural hosts for various infectious agents that can affect both humans and animals, and they are geographically widespread. In recent years, the prevalence of bat-associated pathogens has surged on a global scale, consequently generating significant interest in bats and their ectoparasites. In this study, we specifically selected the Miniopterus fuliginosus as the host and conducted bat captures in Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and the other in Mouding Township, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, located in Yunnan Province, China. Ectoparasites were meticulously collected from the bat body surface, alongside blood samples for subsequent analyses. Following collection, the ectoparasites were methodically identified and subjected to comprehensive ecological analysis. Additionally, DNA was extracted from both the bat blood and bat flies, with conventional PCR techniques utilized for molecular screening of four pathogens: Anaplasma sp., Babesia sp., Hepatozoon sp., and Bartonella sp. The capture efforts yielded a total of 37 M. fuliginosus, from which 388 ectoparasites were recovered, including 197 gamasid mites (Cr = 50.77%, PM = 94.59%, MA = 5.32, MI = 5.63) and 191 bat flies (Cr = 49.23%, PM = 75.68%, MA = 5.16, MI = 6.82). Notably, Steatonyssus nyctali (Y = 0.28, m*/m = 2.44) and Nycteribia allotopa (Y = 0.23,m*/m = 1.54) predominated among different individuals of M. fuliginosus, exhibiting an aggregated distribution pattern. The infection rates of Bartonella sp. were identified to be 18.92% (7/37) among bats and 37.17% (71/191) among bat flies, based on the testing of 37 bats and 191 bat flies. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the Bartonella sequences exhibited similarity to those found in bats and bat flies within China and South Korea. This study not only contributes to our comprehension of ectoparasite infection in M. fuliginosus but also establishes a foundation for potential exploration of their role as vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinting Yang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, 22 Wanhua St, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yujian Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin St, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Huijuan Yang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Shatai South Road, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Xianzheng Zhang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, 22 Wanhua St, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, 22 Wanhua St, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xiaobin Huang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, 22 Wanhua St, Dali 671000, China.
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Sakalauskas P, Kaminskienė E, Bukauskaitė D, Eigirdas V, Snegiriovaitė J, Mardosaitė-Busaitienė D, Paulauskas A. Molecular detection of Babesia vesperuginis in bats from Lithuania. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102283. [PMID: 38029454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Babesia vesperuginis is an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite that circulates among bats and ticks in many countries worldwide. However, the distribution of B. vesperuginis in the Baltic region has not been studied. A total of 86 dead bats from eight different species were collected and screened for Babesia spp. using real-time PCR. Overall, 52.3% (45/86) of the bats were found positive for Babesia spp. The prevalence of Babesia spp. in different organs varied, with the highest prevalence observed in heart tissues (37.0%) and the lowest in liver tissues (22.2%). However, the observed differences in prevalence among organs were not statistically significant. Blood samples from 125 bats of nine different species were also analyzed for Babesia spp. prevalence using real-time PCR and nested PCR. The results showed a prevalence of 35.2% and 22.4%, respectively. Moreover, 28.3% (17/60) of the examined blood samples were confirmed positive for Babesia spp. through blood smear analysis. The total of 32 partial sequences of the 18S rRNA gene derived in this study were 100% identical to B. vesperuginis sequences from GenBank. In eight species of bats, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Vespertilio murinus, Eptesicus nilssonii, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis daubentonii and Nyctalus noctula, Babesia parasites were identified. In E. nilssonii, Babesia spp. was identified for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Povilas Sakalauskas
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Evelina Kaminskienė
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | - Vytautas Eigirdas
- Ventės Ragas Ornithological station, Marių 24, 99361 Ventė, Lithuania
| | - Justina Snegiriovaitė
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | - Algimantas Paulauskas
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, Lithuania.
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Vicente-Santos A, Lock LR, Allira M, Dyer KE, Dunsmore A, Tu W, Volokhov DV, Herrera C, Lei GS, Relich RF, Janech MG, Bland AM, Simmons NB, Becker DJ. Serum proteomics reveals a tolerant immune phenotype across multiple pathogen taxa in wild vampire bats. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1281732. [PMID: 38193073 PMCID: PMC10773587 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1281732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Bats carry many zoonotic pathogens without showing pronounced pathology, with a few exceptions. The underlying immune tolerance mechanisms in bats remain poorly understood, although information-rich omics tools hold promise for identifying a wide range of immune markers and their relationship with infection. To evaluate the generality of immune responses to infection, we assessed the differences and similarities in serum proteomes of wild vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) across infection status with five taxonomically distinct pathogens: bacteria (Bartonella spp., hemoplasmas), protozoa (Trypanosoma cruzi), and DNA (herpesviruses) and RNA (alphacoronaviruses) viruses. From 19 bats sampled in 2019 in Belize, we evaluated the up- and downregulated immune responses of infected versus uninfected individuals for each pathogen. Using a high-quality genome annotation for vampire bats, we identified 586 serum proteins but found no evidence for differential abundance nor differences in composition between infected and uninfected bats. However, using receiver operating characteristic curves, we identified four to 48 candidate biomarkers of infection depending on the pathogen, including seven overlapping biomarkers (DSG2, PCBP1, MGAM, APOA4, DPEP1, GOT1, and IGFALS). Enrichment analysis of these proteins revealed that our viral pathogens, but not the bacteria or protozoa studied, were associated with upregulation of extracellular and cytoplasmatic secretory vesicles (indicative of viral replication) and downregulation of complement activation and coagulation cascades. Additionally, herpesvirus infection elicited a downregulation of leukocyte-mediated immunity and defense response but an upregulation of an inflammatory and humoral immune response. In contrast to our two viral infections, we found downregulation of lipid and cholesterol homeostasis and metabolism with Bartonella spp. infection, of platelet-dense and secretory granules with hemoplasma infection, and of blood coagulation pathways with T. cruzi infection. Despite the small sample size, our results suggest that vampire bats have a similar suite of immune mechanisms for viruses distinct from responses to the other pathogen taxa, and we identify potential biomarkers that can expand our understanding of pathogenesis of these infections in bats. By applying a proteomic approach to a multi-pathogen system in wild animals, our study provides a distinct framework that could be expanded across bat species to increase our understanding of how bats tolerate pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren R. Lock
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Meagan Allira
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Kristin E. Dyer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Annalise Dunsmore
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Weihong Tu
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Dmitriy V. Volokhov
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Claudia Herrera
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Guang-Sheng Lei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Ryan F. Relich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Michael G. Janech
- Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Alison M. Bland
- Hollings Marine Laboratory, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Nancy B. Simmons
- Department of Mammalogy, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, United States
| | - Daniel J. Becker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
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Dhivahar J, Parthasarathy A, Krishnan K, Kovi BS, Pandian GN. Bat-associated microbes: Opportunities and perils, an overview. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22351. [PMID: 38125540 PMCID: PMC10730444 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential biotechnological uses of bat-associated bacteria are discussed briefly, indicating avenues for biotechnological applications of bat-associated microbes. The uniqueness of bats in terms of their lifestyle, genomes and molecular immunology may predispose bats to act as disease reservoirs. Molecular phylogenetic analysis has shown several instances of bats harbouring the ancestral lineages of bacterial (Bartonella), protozoal (Plasmodium, Trypanosoma cruzi) and viral (SARS-CoV2) pathogens infecting humans. Along with the transmission of viruses from bats, we also discuss the potential roles of bat-associated bacteria, fungi, and protozoan parasites in emerging diseases. Current evidence suggests that environmental changes and interactions between wildlife, livestock, and humans contribute to the spill-over of infectious agents from bats to other hosts. Domestic animals including livestock may act as intermediate amplifying hosts for bat-origin pathogens to transmit to humans. An increasing number of studies investigating bat pathogen diversity and infection dynamics have been published. However, whether or how these infectious agents are transmitted both within bat populations and to other hosts, including humans, often remains unknown. Metagenomic approaches are uncovering the dynamics and distribution of potential pathogens in bat microbiomes, which might improve the understanding of disease emergence and transmission. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on bat zoonoses of public health concern and flag the gaps in the knowledge to enable further research and allocation of resources for tackling future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Dhivahar
- Research Department of Zoology, St. Johns College, Palayamkottai, 627002, India
- Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Loyola College, Chennai, 600034, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Anutthaman Parthasarathy
- Department of Chemistry and Biosciences, Richmond Building, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
| | - Kathiravan Krishnan
- Department of Biotechnology, Laboratory of Virology, University of Madras, Chennai, 600025, India
| | - Basavaraj S. Kovi
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, 69, Sakyo Ward, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ganesh N. Pandian
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Yoshida Ushinomiyacho, 69, Sakyo Ward, 606-8501, Kyoto, Japan
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9
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Fagre AC, Islam A, Reeves WK, Kading RC, Plowright RK, Gurley ES, McKee CD. Bartonella Infection in Fruit Bats and Bat Flies, Bangladesh. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2910-2922. [PMID: 37656196 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02293-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Bats harbor diverse intracellular Bartonella bacteria, but there is limited understanding of the factors that influence transmission over time. Investigation of Bartonella dynamics in bats could reveal general factors that control transmission of multiple bat-borne pathogens, including viruses. We used molecular methods to detect Bartonella DNA in paired bat (Pteropus medius) blood and bat flies in the family Nycteribiidae collected from a roost in Faridpur, Bangladesh between September 2020 and January 2021. We detected high prevalence of Bartonella DNA in bat blood (35/55, 64%) and bat flies (59/60, 98%), with sequences grouping into three phylogenetic clades. Prevalence in bat blood increased over the study period (33% to 90%), reflecting an influx of juvenile bats in the population and an increase in the prevalence of bat flies. Discordance between infection status and the clade/genotype of detected Bartonella was also observed in pairs of bats and their flies, providing evidence that bat flies take blood meals from multiple bat hosts. This evidence of bat fly transfer between hosts and the changes in Bartonella prevalence during a period of increasing nycteribiid density support the role of bat flies as vectors of bartonellae. The study provides novel information on comparative prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella in pteropodid bats and their ectoparasites, as well as demographic factors that affect Bartonella transmission and potentially other bat-borne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Fagre
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Will K Reeves
- C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Rebekah C Kading
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Raina K Plowright
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Emily S Gurley
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Clifton D McKee
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Corduneanu A, Zając Z, Kulisz J, Wozniak A, Foucault-Simonin A, Moutailler S, Wu-Chuang A, Peter Á, Sándor AD, Cabezas-Cruz A. Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0153123. [PMID: 37606379 PMCID: PMC10581248 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01531-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the most studied mammals in terms of their role in the spread of various pathogens with possible zoonotic effects are bats. These are animals with a very complex lifestyle, diet, and behavior. They are able to fly long distances, thus maintaining and spreading the pathogens they may be carrying. These pathogens also include vector-borne parasites and bacteria that can be spread by ectoparasites such as ticks and bat flies. In the present study, high-throughput screening was performed and we detected three bacterial pathogens: Bartonella spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Mycoplasma spp., and a protozoan parasite: Theileria spp. in paired samples from bats (blood and ectoparasites). In the samples from the bat-arthropod pairs, we were able to detect Bartonella spp. and Mycoplasma spp. which also showed a high phylogenetic diversity, demonstrating the importance of these mammals and the arthropods associated with them in maintaining the spread of pathogens. Previous studies have also reported the presence of these pathogens, with one exception, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, for which phylogenetic analysis revealed less genetic divergence. High-throughput screening can detect more bacteria and parasites at once, reduce screening costs, and improve knowledge of bats as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens. IMPORTANCE The increasing number of zoonotic pathogens is evident through extensive studies and expanded animal research. Bats, known for their role as reservoirs for various viruses, continue to be significant. However, new findings highlight the emergence of Bartonella spp., such as the human-infecting B. mayotimonensis from bats. Other pathogens like N. mikurensis, Mycoplasma spp., and Theileria spp. found in bat blood and ectoparasites raise concerns, as their impact remains uncertain. These discoveries underscore the urgency for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to understand and monitor zoonotic pathogens. By deepening our knowledge and collaboration, we can mitigate these risks, safeguarding human and animal well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Corduneanu
- Department of Animal Breeding and Animal Production, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Kulisz
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aneta Wozniak
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Angélique Foucault-Simonin
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Alejandra Wu-Chuang
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Áron Peter
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila D. Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- ELKH-ÁTE Climate Change: New Blood-sucking Parasites and Vector-borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
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11
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Szentiványi T, Heintz AC, Markotter W, Wassef J, Christe P, Glaizot O. Vector-borne protozoan and bacterial pathogen occurrence and diversity in ectoparasites of the Egyptian Rousette bat. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:189-194. [PMID: 36625469 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Bats are known reservoir hosts for a wide variety of parasites and pathogens, including bacteria and protozoans. Some of these pathogens are vector-borne, and although their role is poorly studied, ectoparasites may contribute significantly to their transmission. The aim of this study was to molecularly detect the presence of vector-borne microorganisms in bat-associated ectoparasites to explore their diversity and distribution in these insects. We tested the presence of Bartonella spp., Polychromophilus spp., and Trypanosoma spp. in bat flies and bat fleas collected from 56 Egyptian Rousette bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), using conventional PCR. We found a high prevalence of 43.9% (47/107) of Bartonella spp. in bat flies, but a low prevalence of 6.6% (4/61) in bat fleas. Polychromophilus and Trypanosoma DNA were absent in both bat flies and bat fleas. Furthermore, we found novel gltA Bartonella sequences, as well as genotypes that are highly similar to recently described and potentially zoonotic ones. Our results show high diversity of Bartonella in bat flies, however, their role in pathogen transmission is still unknown and should be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Szentiványi
- Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Vácrátót, Hungary
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Caroline Heintz
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Department of Medical Virology, Centre for Viral Zoonoses, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jérôme Wassef
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Philippe Christe
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Glaizot
- Museum of Zoology, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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12
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Eriksson A, Filion A, Labruna MB, Muñoz-Leal S, Poulin R, Fischer E, Graciolli G. Effects of forest loss and fragmentation on bat-ectoparasite interactions. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1391-1402. [PMID: 37039866 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07839-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Human land use causes habitat loss and fragmentation, influencing host-parasite associations through changes in infestation rates, host mortality and possibly local extinction. Bat-ectoparasite interactions are an important host-parasite model possibly affected by such changes, as this system acts as both reservoirs and vectors of several pathogens that can infect different wild and domestic species. This study aimed to assess how the prevalence and abundance of bat ectoparasites respond to forest loss, fragmentation, and edge length. Bats and ectoparasites were sampled at twenty sites, forming a gradient of forest cover, in southwestern Brazil during two wet (2015 and 2016) and two dry (2016 and 2017) seasons. Effects of landscape metrics on host abundance as well as parasite prevalence and abundance were assessed through structural equation models. Nine host-parasite associations provided sufficient data for analyses, including one tick and eight flies on four bat species. Forest cover positively influenced the prevalence or abundance of three fly species, but negatively influenced one fly and the tick species. Prevalence or abundance responded positively to edge length for three fly species, and negatively for the tick. In turn, number of fragments influenced the prevalence or abundance of four fly species, two positively and two negatively. Our results support species-specific responses of ectoparasites to landscape features, and a tendency of host-generalist ticks to benefit from deforestation while most host-specialist flies are disadvantaged. Differences in host traits and abundance, along with parasite life cycles and environmental conditions, are possible explanations to our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Eriksson
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Avenida Costa E Silva S/N, CEP 79070-900, Campo Grande, Brasil.
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa, nº 2367, CEP 78060-900, Cuiabá, Brasil.
| | - Antoine Filion
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sebástian Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, Casilla 537, 3780000, Chillán, Chile
| | - Robert Poulin
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Erich Fischer
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Avenida Costa E Silva S/N, CEP 79070-900, Campo Grande, Brasil
| | - Gustavo Graciolli
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Avenida Costa E Silva S/N, CEP 79070-900, Campo Grande, Brasil
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13
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Szentivanyi T, McKee C, Jones G, Foster JT. Trends in Bacterial Pathogens of Bats: Global Distribution and Knowledge Gaps. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/9285855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Bats have received considerable recent attention for infectious disease research because of their potential to host and transmit viruses, including Ebola, Hendra, Nipah, and multiple coronaviruses. These pathogens are occasionally transmitted from bats to wildlife, livestock, and to humans, directly or through other bridging (intermediate) hosts. Due to their public health relevance, zoonotic viruses are a primary focus of research attention. In contrast, other emerging pathogens of bats, such as bacteria, are vastly understudied despite their ubiquity and diversity. Here, we describe the currently known host ranges and geographic distributional patterns of potentially zoonotic bacterial genera in bats, using published presence-absence data of pathogen occurrence. We identify apparent gaps in our understanding of the distribution of these pathogens on a global scale. The most frequently detected bacterial genera in bats are Bartonella, Leptospira, and Mycoplasma. However, a wide variety of other potentially zoonotic bacterial genera are also occasionally found in bats, such as Anaplasma, Brucella, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Francisella, Neorickettsia, and Rickettsia. The bat families Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Pteropodidae are most frequently reported as hosts of bacterial pathogens; however, the presence of at least one bacterial genus was confirmed in all 15 bat families tested. On a spatial scale, molecular diagnostics of samples from 58 countries and four overseas departments and island states (French Guiana, Mayotte, New Caledonia, and Réunion Island) reported testing for at least one bacterial pathogen in bats. We also identified geographical areas that have been mostly neglected during bacterial pathogen research in bats, such as the Afrotropical region and Southern Asia. Current knowledge on the distribution of potentially zoonotic bacterial genera in bats is strongly biased by research effort towards certain taxonomic groups and geographic regions. Identifying these biases can guide future surveillance efforts, contributing to a better understanding of the ecoepidemiology of zoonotic pathogens in bats.
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14
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Antimicrobial Resistance in Physiological and Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated in Southern Italian Bats. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13060966. [PMID: 36978508 PMCID: PMC10044454 DOI: 10.3390/ani13060966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of antimicrobial resistance is one of the major health emergencies of recent decades. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria threaten not only humans but also populations of domestic and wild animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of antibiotic resistance (AMR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacterial strains isolated from six Southern-Italian bat populations. Using the disk diffusion method, we evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility of 413 strains of Gram-negative bacteria and 183 strains of Gram-positive bacteria isolated from rectal (R), oral (O) and conjunctival (C) swabs of 189 bats belonging to 4 insectivorous species (Myotis capaccinii, Myotis myotis, Miniopterus schreibersii and Rhinolophus hipposideros). In all bat species and locations, numerous bacterial strains showed high AMR levels for some of the molecules tested. In both Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, the resistance patterns ranged from one to thirteen. MDR patterns varied significantly across sites, with Grotta dei Pipistrelli in Pantalica displaying the highest levels of MDR (77.2% of isolates). No significant differences were found across different bat species. Monitoring antibiotic resistance in wildlife is a useful method of evaluating the impact of anthropic pressure and environmental pollution. Our analysis reveals that anthropic contamination may have contributed to the spread of the antibiotic resistance phenomenon among the subjects we examined.
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15
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Hoarau AOG, Köster M, Dietrich M, Le Minter G, Joffrin L, Ramanantsalama RV, Mavingui P, Lebarbenchon C. Synchronicity of viral shedding in molossid bat maternity colonies. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e47. [PMID: 36750225 PMCID: PMC10052574 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823000171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection dynamics in vertebrates are driven by biological and ecological processes. For bats, population structure and reproductive cycles have major effects on RNA virus transmission. On Reunion Island, previous studies have shown that parturition of pregnant females and aggregation of juvenile Reunion free-tailed bats (Mormopterus francoismoutoui) are associated with major increase in the prevalence of bats shedding RNA viruses. The synchronicity of such shedding pulses, however, is yet to be assessed between viruses but also maternity colonies. Based on 3422 fresh faeces collected every 2-5 weeks during four consecutive birthing seasons, we report the prevalence of bats shedding astroviruses (AstVs), coronaviruses (CoVs) and paramyxoviruses (PMVs) in two maternity colonies on Reunion Island. We found that the proportion of bats shedding viruses is highly influenced by sampling collection periods, and therefore by the evolution of the population age structure. We highlight that virus shedding patterns are consistent among years and colonies for CoVs and to a lesser extent for PMVs, but not for AstVs. We also report that 1% of bats harbour co-infections, with two but not three of the viruses, and most co-infections were due to CoVs and PMVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel O G Hoarau
- Université de La Réunion, Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Inserm 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Marie Köster
- Université de La Réunion, Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Inserm 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Muriel Dietrich
- Université de La Réunion, Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Inserm 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Gildas Le Minter
- Université de La Réunion, Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Inserm 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Léa Joffrin
- Université de La Réunion, Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Inserm 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Riana V Ramanantsalama
- Université de La Réunion, Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Inserm 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Patrick Mavingui
- Université de La Réunion, Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Inserm 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
| | - Camille Lebarbenchon
- Université de La Réunion, Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, Inserm 1187, CNRS 9192, IRD 249, Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France
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16
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Bats Are Carriers of Antimicrobial-Resistant Staphylococcaceae in Their Skin. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020331. [PMID: 36830242 PMCID: PMC9952117 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bats have emerged as potential carriers of zoonotic viruses and bacteria, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Staphylococcaceae has been isolated from their gut and nasopharynx, but there is little information about Staphylococcaceae on bat skin. Therefore, this study aimed to decipher the Staphylococci species in bat skin and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile. One hundred and forty-seven skin swabs were collected from bats during the spring and summer of 2021 and 2022. Bats were captured in different areas of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil, according to the degree of anthropization: Area 1 (Forested), Area 2 (Rural), Area 3 (Residential-A), Area 4 (Slum-- up to two floors), Area 5 (Residential-B-condo buildings), and Area 6 (Industrial). Swabs were kept in peptone water broth at 37 °C for 12 h when bacterial growth was streaked in Mannitol salt agar and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The disc-diffusion test evaluated antimicrobial susceptibility. Staphylococcaceae were isolated from 42.8% of bats, mostly from young, from the rural area, and during summer. M. sciuri was the most frequent species; S. aureus was also isolated. About 95% of isolates were resistant to at least one drug, and most strains were penicillin resistant. Eight isolates were methicillin resistant, and the mecA gene was detected in one isolate (S. haemolyticus). Antimicrobial resistance is a One Health issue that is not evaluated enough in bats. The results indicate that bats are carriers of clinically meaningful S. aureus and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Finally, the results suggest that we should intensify action plans to control the spread of resistant bacteria.
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Nabeshima K, Sato S, Brinkerhoff RJ, Amano M, Kabeya H, Itou T, Maruyama S. Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Bartonella Spp. in Northern Bats (Eptesicus nilssonii) and Their Blood-Sucking Ectoparasites in Hokkaido, Japan. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:298-306. [PMID: 34981145 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01935-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the prevalence of Bartonella in 123 northern bats (Eptesicus nilssonii) and their ectoparasites from Hokkaido, Japan. A total of 174 bat fleas (Ischnopsyllus needhami) and two bat bugs (Cimex japonicus) were collected from the bats. Bartonella bacteria were isolated from 32 (26.0%) of 123 bats. Though Bartonella DNA was detected in 79 (45.4%) of the bat fleas, the bacterium was isolated from only one bat flea (0.6%). The gltA sequences of the isolates were categorized into genotypes I, II, and III, which were found in both bats and their fleas. The gltA sequences of genotypes I and II showed 97.6% similarity with Bartonella strains from a Finnish E. nilssonii and a bat flea from a E. serotinus in the Netherlands. The rpoB sequences of the genotypes showed 98.9% similarity with Bartonella strain 44722 from E. serotinus in Republic of Georgia. The gltA and rpoB sequences of genotype III showed 95.9% and 96.7% similarity with Bartonella strains detected in shrews in Kenya and France, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Bartonella isolates of genotypes I and II clustered with Bartonella strains from Eptesicus bats in Republic of Georgia and Finland, Myotis bats in Romania and the UK, and a bat flea from an Eptesicus bat in Finland. In contrast, genotype III formed a clade with B. florencae, B. acomydis, and B. birtlesii. These data suggest that northern bats in Japan harbor two Bartonella species and the bat flea serves as a potential vector of Bartonella transmission among the bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Nabeshima
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866, Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
- Ecological Risk Assessment and Control Section Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Shingo Sato
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866, Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - R Jory Brinkerhoff
- Department of Biology, University of Richmond, 28 Westhampton Way, Richmond, VA, 23173, USA
| | - Murasaki Amano
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866, Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Hidenori Kabeya
- Laboratory of Veterinary Food Hygiene, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866, Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Takuya Itou
- Veterinary Research Center, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Soichi Maruyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866, Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan.
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Vlaschenko A, Răileanu C, Tauchmann O, Muzyka D, Bohodist V, Filatov S, Rodenko O, Tovstukha I, Silaghi C. First data on bacteria associated with bat ectoparasites collected in Kharkiv oblast, Northeastern Ukraine. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:443. [PMID: 36434644 PMCID: PMC9700949 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05582-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) serve as natural reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens worldwide, including vector-borne pathogens. However, bat-associated parasitic arthropods and their microbiota are thus far not thoroughly described in many regions across the globe, nor is their role in the spillover of pathogens to other vertebrate species well understood. Basic epidemiological research is needed to disentangle the complex ecological interactions among bats, their specific ectoparasites and microorganisms they harbor. Some countries, such as Ukraine, are particularly data-deficient in this respect as the ectoparasitic fauna is poorly documented there and has never been screened for the presence of medically important microorganisms. Therefore, the aims of this study were to provide first data on this topic. METHODS A total of 239 arthropod specimens were collected from bats. They belonged to several major groups of external parasites, including soft ticks, fleas, and nycteribiid flies from six chiropteran species in Northeastern Ukraine. The ectoparasites were individually screened for the presence of DNA of Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., and Babesia spp. with conventional PCRs. Positive samples were amplified at several loci, sequenced for species identification, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Rickettsia DNA was detected exclusively in specimens of the soft tick, Carios vespertilionis (7 out of 43 or 16.3%). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed high similarity to sequences from Rickettsia parkeri and several other Rickettsia species. Bacteria from the family Anaplasmataceae were detected in all groups of the ectoparasites (51%, 122/239 samples), belonging to the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Wolbachia. The detection of Bartonella spp. was successful only in fleas (Nycteridopsylla eusarca) and bat flies (Nycteribia koleantii, N. pedicularia), representing 12.1% (29/239) of the collected ectoparasites. No DNA of Babesia or Borrelia species was identified in the samples. CONCLUSIONS We report for the first time in Ukraine the molecular detection of several bacterial agents in bat ectoparasites collected from six species of bats. The data presented extend the knowledge on the distribution of ectoparasite species in bats and their involvement in potentially circulating agents pathogenic for humans and vertebrate animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Vlaschenko
- LLC “ASTRAVIR TECHNOLOGY”, Poltavskyi Shliakh, 6, 25, Kharkiv, 61001 Ukraine ,Bat Rehabilitation Center of Feldman Ecopark, Lesnoye, Kharkiv Region, 62340 Ukraine ,grid.445512.30000 0004 6091 1068Institute of Natural Sciences, Department of Zoology, H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Valentynivska St., 2, Kharkiv, 61168 Ukraine ,NGO “Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute”, Plekhanov St., 40, Kharkiv, 61001 Ukraine
| | - Cristian Răileanu
- grid.417834.dInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Oliver Tauchmann
- grid.417834.dInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Isle of Riems, Germany
| | - Denys Muzyka
- grid.445512.30000 0004 6091 1068Institute of Natural Sciences, Department of Zoology, H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Valentynivska St., 2, Kharkiv, 61168 Ukraine ,grid.483569.50000 0004 6086 6965National Scientific Center “Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine”, Pushkinska St., 83, Kharkiv, 61023 Ukraine
| | - Valeria Bohodist
- Bat Rehabilitation Center of Feldman Ecopark, Lesnoye, Kharkiv Region, 62340 Ukraine ,grid.445333.6Veterinary Medicine Department, Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Stavishchanskaya St., 126, Bila Tserkva, 09111 Ukraine
| | - Serhii Filatov
- grid.483569.50000 0004 6086 6965National Scientific Center “Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine”, Pushkinska St., 83, Kharkiv, 61023 Ukraine ,grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XDepartment of Pediatrics and the National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Olena Rodenko
- LLC “ASTRAVIR TECHNOLOGY”, Poltavskyi Shliakh, 6, 25, Kharkiv, 61001 Ukraine ,NGO “Ukrainian Independent Ecology Institute”, Plekhanov St., 40, Kharkiv, 61001 Ukraine
| | - Ihor Tovstukha
- LLC “ASTRAVIR TECHNOLOGY”, Poltavskyi Shliakh, 6, 25, Kharkiv, 61001 Ukraine ,Kharkiv International Medical University, Molochna St., 38, Kharkiv, 61001 Ukraine
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- grid.417834.dInstitute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Isle of Riems, Germany ,grid.5603.0Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Domstraße 11, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
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Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analyses of Diverse Bartonella Species in Bat Ectoparasites Collected from Yunnan Province, China. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11111283. [PMID: 36365035 PMCID: PMC9699461 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonella species has been validated as blood-borne bacteria in mammals and has a substantial opportunity to be harbored by a variety of hematophagous arthropod vectors. Bats, along with their ectoparasites, are recognized worldwide as one of the natural reservoir hosts for these bacteria. However, there have been few investigations of Bartonella bacteria toward a broad range of obligated bat ectoparasites in China. Here, molecular detection of Bartonella species was performed to survey the infection among bat ectoparasites and follow-up phylogenetic analyses to further characterize the evolutionary relationships of the genus. A total of 434 bat ectoparasites involving four types of arthropods, namely, bat mites, bat tick, bat fleas, and bat flies (further divided into traditionally fly-like bat flies and wingless bat flies) were collected in 10 trapping sites in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Bartonella was detected by PCR amplification and sequencing through four gene target fragments (gltA, ftsZ, rpoB, and ITS). Accordingly, diverse Bartonella species were discovered, including both the validated species and the novel genotypes, which were characterized into several geographical regions with high prevalence. Phylogenetic analyses based on gltA and multi-locus concatenated sequences both demonstrated strong phylogeny-trait associations of Bartonella species from bats and their parasitic arthropods, suggesting the occurrence of host switches and emphasizing the potential connecting vector role of these ectoparasites. Nevertheless, the maintenance and transmission of Bartonella in both bat and hemoparasite populations have not been fully understood, as well as the risk of spillage to humans, which warrants in-depth experimental studies focusing on these mammals and their ectoparasites.
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Cultivable Bacteria Associated with the Microbiota of Troglophile Bats. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192684. [PMID: 36230424 PMCID: PMC9559301 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Troglophile bats live in colonies, often in sites exploited for agro-pastoral purposes. Determining the composition of the microbiome of bats is an important step in understanding their ecology and biology and can also provide information on the spread of pathogenic bacteria in their populations. This study aimed to determine how epidemiological factors shape the microbiome of troglophile bats and evaluate the occurrence of potentially pathogenic bacterial species. A total of 413 Gram-negative and 183 Gram-positive strains were isolated from 189 individuals of four species of troglophile bats living in Sicilian and Calabrian territory (Italy). Besides few potentially pathogenic bacteria, several strains with a hypothesized symbiotic role were found. Abstract Background: The study of bats is of significant interest from a systematic, zoogeographic, ecological, and physiological point of view. The aim of this study is to investigate the culturable aerobic enteric, conjunctival, and oral bacterial flora of bats to determine their physiological microbiome and to investigate the possible occurrence of pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Five hundred and sixty-seven samples were collected from 189 individuals of four species of troglophile bats (Myotis myotis, Myotis capaccinii, Miniopterus schreibersii, and Rhinolophus hipposideros) living in Sicilian and Calabrian territory (Italy). All samples were tested for Gram-negative bacteria; conjunctival and oral swabs were also submitted to bacteriological examination for Gram-positive bacteria. Results: Four hundred thirteen Gram-negative strains were isolated. Of these, 377 belonged to 17 different genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae and 30 to five other families. One hundred eighty-three Gram-positive strains were isolated. Of these, 73 belonged to the Staphylococcaceae family, 72 to the Bacillaceae family and 36 to four other families. Besides some potentially pathogenic strains, several bacterial species have been found that are common to all the bat species studied. These could perhaps play a physiological or nutritional role. Conclusion: A great variety of bacterial species were identified in the cultivable microbiota of southern-Italian troglophile bats, including several potentially pathogenic strains and numerous putatively symbiotic species.
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Alcantara DMC, Ikeda P, Souza CS, de Mello VVC, Torres JM, Lourenço EC, Bassini-Silva R, Herrera HM, Machado RZ, Barros-Battesti DM, Graciolli G, André MR. Multilayer Networks Assisting to Untangle Direct and Indirect Pathogen Transmission in Bats. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022:10.1007/s00248-022-02108-3. [PMID: 36166070 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02108-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The importance of species that connect the different types of interactions is becoming increasingly recognized, and this role may be related to specific attributes of these species. Multilayer networks have two or more layers, which represent different types of interactions, for example, between different parasites and hosts that are nonetheless connected. The understanding of the ecological relationship between bats, ectoparasites, and vector-borne bacteria could shed some light on the complex transmission cycles of these pathogens. In this study, we investigated a multilayer network in Brazil formed by interactions between bat-bacteria, bat-ectoparasite, and ectoparasite-bacteria, and asked how these interactions overlap considering different groups and transmission modes. The multilayer network was composed of 31 nodes (12 bat species, 14 ectoparasite species, and five bacteria genera) and 334 links, distributed over three layers. The multilayer network has low modularity and shows a core-periphery organization, that is, composed of a few generalist species with many interactions and many specialist species participating in few interactions in the multilayer network. The three layers were needed to accurately describe the multilayer structure, while aggregation leads to loss of information. Our findings also demonstrated that the multilayer network is influenced by a specific set of species that can easily be connected to the behavior, life cycle, and type of existing interactions of these species. Four bat species (Artibeus lituratus, A. planirostris, Phyllostomus discolor, and Platyrrhinus lineatus), one ectoparasite species (Steatonyssus) and three bacteria genera (Ehrlichia, hemotropic Mycoplasma and Neorickettsia) are the most important species for the multilayer network structure. Finally, our study brings an ecological perspective under a multilayer network approach on the interactions between bats, ectoparasites, and pathogens. By using a multilayer approach (different types of interactions), it was possible to better understand these different ecological interactions and how they affect each other, advancing our knowledge on the role of bats and ectoparasites as potential pathogen vectors and reservoirs, as well as the modes of transmission of these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Priscila Ikeda
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Silveira Souza
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica Aplicada, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil
| | - Victória Valente Califre de Mello
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Jaire Marinho Torres
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Elizabete Captivo Lourenço
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Heitor Miraglia Herrera
- Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Graciolli
- Setor de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Campus de Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, CEP: 14884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
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Kejíková R, McKee C, Straková P, Šikutová S, Mendel J, Rudolf I. First detection of Bartonella spp. in bat bugs Cimex pipistrelli (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), Central Europe. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3341-3345. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07668-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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23
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Haidău C, Năstase-Bucur R, Bulzu P, Levei E, Cadar O, Mirea IC, Faur L, Fruth V, Atkinson I, Constantin S, Moldovan OT. A 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding of Phosphate-Rich Deposits in Muierilor Cave, South-Western Carpathians. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:877481. [PMID: 35663904 PMCID: PMC9161362 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.877481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Muierilor Cave is one of Romania's most important show caves, with paleontological and archeological deposits. Recently, a new chamber was discovered in the cave, with unique yellow calcite crystals, fine-grained crusts, and black sediments. The deposits in this chamber were related to a leaking process from the upper level that contains fossil bones and a large pile of guano. Samples were taken from the new chamber and another passage to investigate the relationship between the substrate and microbial community. Chemical, mineralogical, and whole community 16S rRNA gene-based metabarcoding analyses were undertaken, and the base of the guano deposit was radiocarbon dated. Our study indicated bacteria linked to the presence of high phosphate concentration, most likely due to the nature of the substrate (hydroxyapatite). Bacteria involved in Fe, Mn, or N cycles were also found, as these elements are commonly identified in high concentrations in guano. Since no bat colonies or fossil bones were present in the new chamber, a high concentration of these elements could be sourced by organic deposits inside the cave (guano and fossil bones) even after hundreds of years of their deposition and in areas far from both deposits. Metabarcoding of the analyzed samples found that ∼0.7% of the identified bacteria are unknown to science, and ∼47% were not previously reported in caves or guano. Moreover, most of the identified human-related bacteria were not reported in caves or guano before, and some are known for their pathogenic potential. Therefore, continuous monitoring of air and floor microbiology should be considered in show caves with organic deposits containing bacteria that can threaten human health. The high number of unidentified taxa in a small sector of Muierilor Cave indicates the limited knowledge of the bacterial diversity in caves that can have potential applications in human health and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Haidău
- Department of Biospeleology and Karst Edaphobiology, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Bucureşti, Romania
| | - Ruxandra Năstase-Bucur
- Department of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Romanian Institute of Science and Technology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Paul Bulzu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Erika Levei
- Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Oana Cadar
- Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Subsidiary, National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics INOE 2000, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ionuţ Cornel Mirea
- Romanian Institute of Science and Technology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Geospeleology and Paleontology, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Bucureşti, Romania
| | - Luchiana Faur
- Romanian Institute of Science and Technology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Geospeleology and Paleontology, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Bucureşti, Romania
- Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Bucureşti, Romania
| | - Victor Fruth
- Institute of Physical Chemistry “Ilie Murgulescu” of the Romanian Academy, Bucuresti, Romania
| | - Irina Atkinson
- Institute of Physical Chemistry “Ilie Murgulescu” of the Romanian Academy, Bucuresti, Romania
| | - Silviu Constantin
- Romanian Institute of Science and Technology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Geospeleology and Paleontology, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Bucureşti, Romania
- Centro Nacional Sobre la Evolucion Humana, Burgos, Spain
| | - Oana Teodora Moldovan
- Department of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Romanian Institute of Science and Technology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centro Nacional Sobre la Evolucion Humana, Burgos, Spain
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Krügel M, Król N, Kempf VAJ, Pfeffer M, Obiegala A. Emerging rodent-associated Bartonella: a threat for human health? Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:113. [PMID: 35361285 PMCID: PMC8969336 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05162-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05162-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Krügel
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nina Król
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Volkhard A J Kempf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,National Consiliary Laboratory for Bartonella, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anna Obiegala
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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25
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Low VL, Tan TK, Tohiran KA, Lim YAL, AbuBakar S, Nasir DM. A novel clade of bat-associated Bartonella detected in the bat fly Leptocyclopodia ferrari (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) parasitizing Cynopterus brachyotis (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae). Vet Microbiol 2021; 264:109284. [PMID: 34826649 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bartonelloses are emerging infectious diseases that are common in humans and animals worldwide. Several Bartonella species associated with companion animals such as Bartonella henselae and Bartonella rochalimae are species with zoonotic implications and have become a global concern. Other Bartonella species associated with wild animals, however, remain underappreciated particularly in the developing regions of the world. To explore further on this neglected bacterial agent, Leptocyclopodia ferrari (Nycteribiidae) bat flies collected from Cynopterus brachyotis (Pteropodidae), an endemic fruit bat species in Southeast Asia, were molecularly examined for the presence of Bartonella. Both 16 S-23 S ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer region and citrate synthase gene sequences exhibited less than 95 % similarity to all previously reported Bartonella spp. Further phylogenetic analysis revealed a novel clade of this Bartonella sp. with high bootstrap support. The vectorial capacity of bat flies in transmitting this novel pathogen merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Lun Low
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Tiong Kai Tan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Kamil Azmi Tohiran
- Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), 6 Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Dzulhelmi Muhammad Nasir
- Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), 6 Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
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Poofery J, Narapakdeesakul D, Riana E, Arnuphapprasert A, Nugraheni YR, Ngamprasertwong T, Wangthongchaicharoen M, Soisook P, Bhodhibundit P, Kaewthamasorn M. Molecular identification and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in 24 bat species from Thailand. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e717-e733. [PMID: 34755483 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The study of bacterial zoonoses has been under-pursued despite the fact that bacteria cause the majority of zoonotic diseases, of which 70% have a wildlife origin. More Bartonella species are being identified as the cause of human diseases, and several of them have been linked to domestic and wild animals. Bats are outstanding reservoirs for Bartonella species because of their wide distribution, mobility, roosting behaviour, and long life span. Here, we carried out a PCR-based survey on bats that were collected from 19 sampling sites in eight provinces of Thailand from February 2018 to April 2021. Bartonella infection was investigated in a total of 459 bats that belong to 24 different bat species (21 species of which had never been previously studied in Thailand). PCR diagnostics revealed that 115 out of 459 (25.5%) blood samples tested positive for Bartonella. The nucleotide identities of the Bartonella 16S rRNA sequences in this study were between 95.78-99.66% identical to those of known zoonotic species (Bartonella ancashensis, Bartonella henselae, Bartonella bacilliformis and Bartonella australis) as well as to an unidentified Bartonella spp. In addition, the citrate synthase (gltA) and RNA polymerase-beta subunit (rpoB) genes of Bartonella were sequenced and analyzed in positive samples. The gltA and rpoB gene sequences from Hipposideros gentilis and Rhinolophus coelophyllus bat samples showed low nucleotide identity (<95%) compared to those of the currently deposited sequences in the GenBank database, indicating the possibility of new Bartonella species. The phylogenetic inference and genetic diversity were generated and indicated a close relationship with other Bartonella species previously discovered in Asian bats. Overall, the current study demonstrates the primary evidence pointing to a potential novel Bartonella species in bats. This discovery also contributes to our current understanding of the geographical distribution, genetic diversity, and host ranges of bat-related Bartonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juthathip Poofery
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Duriyang Narapakdeesakul
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Veterinary Pathobiology Graduate Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Elizabeth Riana
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,The International Graduate Program of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Apinya Arnuphapprasert
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Veterinary Pathobiology Graduate Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yudhi Ratna Nugraheni
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,The International Graduate Program of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Pipat Soisook
- Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Phanaschakorn Bhodhibundit
- Sai Yok National Park, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
| | - Morakot Kaewthamasorn
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Pavlik I, Ulmann V, Modra H, Gersl M, Rantova B, Zukal J, Zukalova K, Konecny O, Kana V, Kubalek P, Babak V, Weston RT. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevalence in Bats' Guano from Caves and Attics of Buildings Studied by Culture and qPCR Examinations. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112236. [PMID: 34835362 PMCID: PMC8620717 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 281 guano samples were collected from caves (N = 181) in eight European countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and attics in the Czech R. (N = 100). The correlation of detection of mycobacteria between Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) microscopy and culture examination and qPCR was strong. ZN microscopy was positive in guano from caves (58.6%) more than double than positivity in guano from attics (21.0%; p < 0.01). From 89 mycobacterial isolates (73 isolates from cave guano and 16 isolates from attics’ guano), 68 (76.4%) isolates of 19 sp., ssp. and complex were identified as members of three Groups (M. fortuitum, M.chelonae, and M. mucogenicum) and four complexes (M. avium, M. terrae, M.vaccae, and M.smegmatis). A total of 20 isolates (22.5%) belonged to risk group 1 (environmental saprophytes), 48 isolates (53.9%) belonged to risk group 2 (potential pathogens), and none of the isolates belonged to risk group 3 (obligatory pathogens). When comparing bat guano collected from caves and attics, differences (p < 0.01; Mann–Whitney test) were observed for the electrical conductivity, total carbon, total organic, and total inorganic carbon. No difference (p > 0.05; Mann–Whitney test) was found for pH and oxidation-reduction potential parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Pavlik
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.M.); (O.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-773-491-836
| | - Vit Ulmann
- Public Health Institute Ostrava, Partyzanske Nam. 7, 702 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic;
| | - Helena Modra
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.M.); (O.K.)
| | - Milan Gersl
- Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1/1665, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.G.); (B.R.)
| | - Barbora Rantova
- Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1/1665, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.G.); (B.R.)
| | - Jan Zukal
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Kvetna 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Katerina Zukalova
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackeho Tr. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Ondrej Konecny
- Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Tr. Generala Piky 7, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (H.M.); (O.K.)
| | - Vlastislav Kana
- Museum Blanenska, Zamek 1/1, 678 01 Blansko, Czech Republic;
| | - Pavel Kubalek
- Central Bohemian Archaeological Heritage Institute, Nad Olsinami 448/3, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Vladimir Babak
- Veterinary Research Institute, v.v.i., Hudcova 70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Ross Tim Weston
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
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Han HJ, Li ZM, Li X, Liu JX, Peng QM, Wang R, Gu XL, Jiang Y, Zhou CM, Li D, Xiao X, Yu XJ. Bats and their ectoparasites (Nycteribiidae and Spinturnicidae) carry diverse novel Bartonella genotypes, China. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e845-e858. [PMID: 34695291 PMCID: PMC9543326 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bartonella species are facultative intracellular bacteria and recognized worldwide as emerging zoonotic pathogens. Bartonella were isolated or identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in bats and their ectoparasites worldwide, whereas the association between them was scarce, especially in Asia. In this study, a retrospective analysis with frozen samples was carried out to identify the genetic diversity of Bartonella in bats and their ectoparasites and to investigate the relationships of Bartonella carried by bats and their ectoparasites. Bats and their ectoparasites (bat flies and bat mites) were collected from caves in Hubei Province, Central China, from May 2018 to July 2020. Bartonella were screened by PCR amplification and sequencing of three genes (gltA, rpoB, and ftsZ). Bats, bat flies, and bat mites carried diverse novel Bartonella genotypes with a high prevalence. The sharing of some Bartonella genotypes between bats and bat flies or bat mites indicated a potential role of bat flies and bat mites as vectors of bartonellae, while the higher genetic diversity of Bartonella in bat flies than that in bats might be due to the vertical transmission of this bacterium in bat flies. Therefore, bat flies might also act as reservoirs of Bartonella. In addition, human‐pathogenic B. mayotimonesis was identified in both bats and their ectoparasites, which expanded our knowledge on the geographic distribution of this bacterium and suggested a potential bat origin with bat flies and bat mites playing important roles in the maintenance and transmission of Bartonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ju Han
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ze-Min Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Li
- Microbiological Laboratory, Yantai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yantai, China
| | - Jian-Xiao Liu
- Clinical Laboratory, Xingtai Third Hospital, Xingtai, China
| | - Qiu-Ming Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuan-Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Institute of Epidemiology Research, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xue-Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Lee H, Seo MG, Lee SH, Oem JK, Kim SH, Jeong H, Kim Y, Jheong WH, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Relationship among bats, parasitic bat flies, and associated pathogens in Korea. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:503. [PMID: 34579766 PMCID: PMC8477550 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05016-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bats are hosts for many ectoparasites and act as reservoirs for several infectious agents, some of which exhibit zoonotic potential. Here, species of bats and bat flies were identified and screened for microorganisms that could be mediated by bat flies. Methods Bat species were identified on the basis of their morphological characteristics. Bat flies associated with bat species were initially morphologically identified and further identified at the genus level by analyzing the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Different vector-borne pathogens and endosymbionts were screened using PCR to assess all possible relationships among bats, parasitic bat flies, and their associated organisms. Results Seventy-four bat flies were collected from 198 bats; 66 of these belonged to Nycteribiidae and eight to Streblidae families. All Streblidae bat flies were hosted by Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, known as the most common Korean bat. Among the 74 tested bat flies, PCR and nucleotide sequencing data showed that 35 (47.3%) and 20 (27.0%) carried Wolbachia and Bartonella bacteria, respectively, whereas tests for Anaplasma, Borrelia, Hepatozoon, Babesia, Theileria, and Coxiella were negative. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Wolbachia endosymbionts belonged to two different supergroups, A and F. One sequence of Bartonella was identical to that of Bartonella isolated from Taiwanese bats. Conclusions The vectorial role of bat flies should be checked by testing the same pathogen and bacterial organisms by collecting blood from host bats. This study is of great interest in the fields of disease ecology and public health owing to the bats’ potential to transmit pathogens to humans and/or livestock. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05016-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haeseung Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Min-Goo Seo
- Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 177 Hyeoksin 8-ro, Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, 39660, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hun Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, South Korea
| | - Jae-Ku Oem
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, 79 Gobong-ro, Iksan, Jeonbuk, 54596, South Korea
| | - Seon-Hee Kim
- National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Songam-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, 62407, South Korea
| | - Hyesung Jeong
- National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Songam-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, 62407, South Korea
| | - Yongkwan Kim
- National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Songam-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, 62407, South Korea
| | - Weon-Hwa Jheong
- National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Songam-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, 62407, South Korea
| | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
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Presley SJ, Graf J, Hassan AF, Sjodin AR, Willig MR. Effects of Host Species Identity and Diet on the Biodiversity of the Microbiota in Puerto Rican Bats. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:3526-3540. [PMID: 34318342 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02607-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Microbiota perform vital functions for their mammalian hosts, making them potential drivers of host evolution. Understanding effects of environmental factors and host characteristics on the composition and biodiversity of the microbiota may provide novel insights into the origin and maintenance of these symbiotic relationships. Our goals were to (1) characterize biodiversity of oral and rectal microbiota in bats from Puerto Rico; and (2) determine the effects of geographic location and host characteristics on that biodiversity. We collected bats and their microbiota from three sites, and used four metrics (species richness, Shannon diversity, Camargo evenness, Berger-Parker dominance) to characterize biodiversity. We quantified the relative importance of site, host sex, host species-identity, and host foraging-guild on biodiversity of the microbiota. Microbe biodiversity was highly variable among conspecifics. Geographical location exhibited consistent effects, whereas host sex did not. Within each host guild, host species exhibited consistent differences in biodiversity of oral microbiota and of rectal microbiota. Oral microbe biodiversity was indistinguishable between guilds, whereas rectal microbe biodiversity was significantly greater in carnivores than in herbivores. The high intraspecific and spatial variation in microbe biodiversity necessitate a relatively large number of samples to statistically isolate the effects of environmental or host characteristics on the microbiota. Species-specific biodiversity of oral microbiota suggests these communities are structured by direct interactions with the host immune system via epithelial receptors. In contrast, the number of microbial taxa that a host gut supports may be driven by host diet-diversity or composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Presley
- Institute of the Environment, Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 3107 Horsebarn Hill Road, Storrs, CT, 06269-4210, USA.
| | - Joerg Graf
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, USA
| | - Ahmad F Hassan
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, USA
| | - Anna R Sjodin
- Institute of the Environment, Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 3107 Horsebarn Hill Road, Storrs, CT, 06269-4210, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83844, USA
| | - Michael R Willig
- Institute of the Environment, Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 3107 Horsebarn Hill Road, Storrs, CT, 06269-4210, USA
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Lundberg P, Ojala A, Suominen KM, Lilley T, Vainio A. Disease Avoidance Model Explains the Acceptance of Cohabitation With Bats During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychol 2021; 12:635874. [PMID: 34335357 PMCID: PMC8322757 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats and humans have a close relationship based on cohabitation, with bats taking roost in buildings. It has been suggested that bats function as a reservoir of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease in humans. A misconception that bats can spread SARS-CoV-2 to humans may have increased negative emotions toward bats and reduced individuals' acceptance of cohabitation with bats during the COVID-19 pandemic. By applying the disease avoidance model, we tested whether knowledge about bats would be associated with reduced negative emotions toward bats, which in turn would be associated with increased acceptance of cohabitation with bats. Moreover, we tested whether previous experiences of bats, perceived COVID-19 risk, age, gender and level of education would be associated with negative emotions and acceptance of bats. A quantitative survey (N = 577) collected during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland was analyzed with multiple linear regression. The results supported the disease avoidance model. Negative emotions toward bats reduced the acceptance of cohabitation with bats. However, knowledge about bats was associated with increased acceptance of bats both directly, as well as indirectly, via reduced negative emotions. Moreover, perceived COVID-19 risk was associated with increased negative emotions toward bats, and reduced acceptance of bats. Females were more likely than other respondents to report negative emotions, and reduced acceptance of cohabitation with bats. Prior experience of bats was associated with increased acceptance of bats as neighbors. These findings suggest that COVID-19 pandemic may threaten the existence of bats if no action is taken. The findings highlight the importance of correcting misunderstandings about non-human species as transmitters of diseases to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piia Lundberg
- BatLab Finland, Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ann Ojala
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kati M Suominen
- BatLab Finland, Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Thomas Lilley
- BatLab Finland, Zoology Unit, Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annukka Vainio
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Chaber AL, Amstrong KN, Wiantoro S, Xerri V, Caraguel C, Boardman WSJ, Nielsen TD. Bat E-Commerce: Insights Into the Extent and Potential Implications of This Dark Trade. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:651304. [PMID: 34179158 PMCID: PMC8224922 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.651304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about the global bat souvenir trade despite previous research efforts into bat harvest for bushmeat. We screened eBay listings of bats in Australia, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom and USA to assess the nature and extent of the online offers. A total of 237 listings were retrieved in between the 11th and 25th of May 2020 with a median price per item of US$38.50 (range: US$8.50–2,500.00). Items on offer were mostly taxidermy (61.2%) or skull (21.1%) specimens. Overall, 32 different species of bat were advertised, most of which (n = 28) are listed as “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. One species (Nycteris javanica) is classified as “Vulnerable” and one (Eidolon helvum) as “Near Threatened.” Pteropus spp. specimens were the most expensive specimens on offer and the conservations status of these species may range from “Critically Endangered” to “Data Deficient” by IUCN and the entire genus is listed in the Appendix II by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). However, the exact species concerned, and their respective conservation status, could not be confirmed based on the listings' photos. The sourcing of bat was restricted to mostly South-East Asian countries (a third of items sourced from Indonesia) and to two African countries. Our survey revealed that the online offer of bat products is diverse, abundant, and facilitated by worldwide sellers although most offered bats species are from South-East Asia. With a few exceptions, the species on offer were of little present conservation concern, however, many unknowns remain on the potential animal welfare, biosecurity, legal implications, and most importantly public health risks associated with this dark trade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Lise Chaber
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Kyle N Amstrong
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sigit Wiantoro
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Cibinong, Indonesia
| | - Vanessa Xerri
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Charles Caraguel
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Wayne S J Boardman
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Torben D Nielsen
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
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High-Throughput Microfluidic Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Multiple Microorganisms in Ixodid Cattle Ticks in Northeast Algeria. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030362. [PMID: 33803682 PMCID: PMC8002991 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ixodid ticks are hematophagous arthropods considered to be prominent ectoparasite vectors that have a negative impact on cattle, either through direct injury or via the transmission of several pathogens. In this study, we investigated the molecular infection rates of numerous tick-borne pathogens in ticks sampled on cattle from the Kabylia region, northeastern Algeria, using a high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR system. A total of 235 ticks belonging to seven species of the genera Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Ixodes were sampled on cattle and then screened for the presence of 36 different species of bacteria and protozoans. The most prevalent tick-borne microorganisms were Rickettsia spp. at 79.1%, followed by Francisella-like endosymbionts (62.9%), Theileria spp. (17.8%), Anaplasma spp. (14.4%), Bartonella spp. (6.8%), Borrelia spp. (6.8%), and Babesia spp. (2.5%). Among the 80.4% of ticks bearing microorganisms, 20%, 36.6%, 21.7%, and 2.1% were positive for one, two, three, and four different microorganisms, respectively. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma detritum, and Rhipicephalus bursa ticks. Rickettsia massiliae was found in Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Rickettsiamonacensis and Rickettsia helvetica were detected in Ixodesricinus. Anaplasma marginale was found in all identified tick genera, but Anaplasma centrale was detected exclusively in Rhipicephalus spp. ticks. The DNA of Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. was identified in several tick species. Theileria orientalis was found in R. bursa, R. sanguineus, H. detritum, H. marginatum, and I. ricinus and Babesia bigemina was found in Rhipicephalus annulatus and R. sanguineus. Our study highlights the importance of tick-borne pathogens in cattle in Algeria.
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Matei IA, Corduneanu A, Sándor AD, Ionică AM, Panait L, Kalmár Z, Ivan T, Papuc I, Bouari C, Fit N, Mihalca AD. Rickettsia spp. in bats of Romania: high prevalence of Rickettsia monacensis in two insectivorous bat species. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:107. [PMID: 33568213 PMCID: PMC7873661 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04592-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spotted fever group rickettsiae represent one of the most diverse groups of vector-borne bacteria, with several human pathogenic species showing an emerging trend worldwide. Most species are vectored by ticks (Ixodidae), with many zoonotic reservoir species among most terrestrial vertebrate groups. While the reservoir competence of many different vertebrate species is well known (e.g. birds, rodents and dogs), studies on insectivorous bats have been rarely performed despite their high species diversity, ubiquitous urban presence and importance in harboring zoonotic disease agents. Romania has a high diversity and ubiquity of bats. Moreover, seven out of eight SFG rickettsiae species with zoonotic potential were previously reported in Romania. Based on this, the aim of this study was to detect Rickettsia species in tissue samples in bats. Methods Here we report a large-scale study (322 bats belonging to 20 species) on the presence of Rickettsia spp. in Romanian bat species. Tissue samples from insectivorous bats were tested for the presence of Rickettsia DNA using PCR detection amplifying a 381 bp fragment of the gltA gene. Positive results were sequenced to confirm the results. The obtained results were statistically analyzed by chi-squared independence test. Results Positive results were obtained in 14.6% of bat samples. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of R. monacensis in two bat species (Nyctalus noctula and Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in two locations. Conclusion This study provides the first evidence of a possible involvement of these bat species in the epidemiology of Rickettsia spp., highlighting the importance of bats in natural cycles of these vector-borne pathogens.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana A Matei
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Alexandra Corduneanu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Regele Mihai I al României" Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Luciana Panait
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zsuzsa Kalmár
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Talida Ivan
- Department of Semiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ionel Papuc
- Department of Semiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cosmina Bouari
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Nicodim Fit
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Dimkić I, Fira D, Janakiev T, Kabić J, Stupar M, Nenadić M, Unković N, Grbić ML. The microbiome of bat guano: for what is this knowledge important? Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:1407-1419. [PMID: 33512572 PMCID: PMC7845282 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11143-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bats as flying mammals are potent vectors and natural reservoir hosts for many infectious viruses, bacteria, and fungi, also detected in their excreta such as guano. Accelerated deforestation, urbanization, and anthropization hastily lead to overpopulation of the bats in urban areas allowing easy interaction with other animals, expansion, and emergence of new zoonotic disease outbreaks potentially harmful to humans. Therefore, getting new insights in the microbiome of bat guano from different places represents an imperative for the future. Furthermore, the use of novel high-throughput sequencing technologies allows better insight in guano microbiome and potentially indicated that some species could be typical guano-dwelling members. Bats are well known as a natural reservoir of many zoonotic viruses such as Ebola, Nipah, Marburg, lyssaviruses, rabies, henipaviruses, and many coronaviruses which caused a high number of outbreaks including ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, many bacterial and fungal pathogens were identified as common guano residents. Thus, the presence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria as environmental reservoirs of extended spectrum β-lactamases and carbapenemase-producing strains has been confirmed. Bat guano is the most suitable substrate for fungal reproduction and dissemination, including pathogenic yeasts and keratinophilic and dimorphic human pathogenic fungi known as notorious causative agents of severe endemic mycoses like histoplasmosis and fatal cryptococcosis, especially deadly in immunocompromised individuals. This review provides an overview of bat guano microbiota diversity and the significance of autochthonous and pathogenic taxa for humans and the environment, highlighting better understanding in preventing emerging diseases. KEY POINTS: Bat guano as reservoir and source for spreading of autochthonous and pathogenic microbiota Bat guano vs. novel zoonotic disease outbreaks Destruction of bat natural habitats urgently demands increased human awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivica Dimkić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.
| | - Djordje Fira
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Tamara Janakiev
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Jovana Kabić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, dr Subotića starijeg 1, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Miloš Stupar
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Marija Nenadić
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", Bulevar despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, 11060, Serbia
| | - Nikola Unković
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
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Corduneanu A, Mihalca AD, Sándor AD, Hornok S, Malmberg M, Viso NP, Bongcam-Rudloff E. The heart microbiome of insectivorous bats from Central and South Eastern Europe. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 75:101605. [PMID: 33421678 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Host associated microbiome not only may affect the individual health-status or provide insights into the species- or group specific bacterial communities but may act as early warning signs in the assessment of zoonotic reservoirs, offering clues to predict, prevent and control possible episodes of emerging zoonoses. Bats may be carriers and reservoirs of multiple pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, showing in the same time robust immunity against many of them. The microbiota plays a fundamental role on the induction, training and function of the host immune system and the immune system has largely evolved in order to maintain the symbiotic relationship of the host with these diverse microbes. Thus, expanding our knowledge on bat-associated microbiome it can be usefully in understanding bats' outstanding immune capacities. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of different bacterial communities in heart tissue of insectivorous bats, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Rhinoplophus hipposideros, from Central and Eastern Europe using high-throughput sequencing of variable regions of the 16S rRNA. In addition, species-specific PCRs were used to validate the presence of the vector-borne pathogens Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. In this study we identified a wide variety of bacterial groups, with the most abundant phyla being Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. The results showed that at individual level, the year or location had no effect on the diversity and composition of the microbiome, however host species determined both structure and abundance of the bacterial community. We report the presence of vector-borne bacteria Bartonella spp. in samples of N. noctula and indications of Rickettsia spp. in R. hipposideros. Our results provide a first insight into the bacterial community found in heart tissue of bats from Central and South Eastern Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Corduneanu
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Attila D Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Maja Malmberg
- Section of Virology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; SLU Global Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Natalia Pin Viso
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Godoy Cruz 2290, 1425, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular, IABiMo, INTA-CONICET, Calle Las Cabañas y Los Reseros s/n, Casilla de Correo 25, Castelar, 1712, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Erik Bongcam-Rudloff
- SLU Global Bioinformatics Centre, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
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Rajeev R, Prathiviraj R, Kiran GS, Selvin J. Zoonotic evolution and implications of microbiome in viral transmission and infection. Virus Res 2020; 290:198175. [PMID: 33007342 PMCID: PMC7524452 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak and spread of new strains of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) remain a global threat with increasing cases in affected countries. The evolutionary tree of SARS-CoV-2 revealed that Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus 2, which belongs to the Beta arterivirus genus from the Arteriviridae family is possibly the most ancient ancestral origin of SARS-CoV-2 and other Coronaviridae. This review focuses on phylogenomic distribution and evolutionary lineage of zoonotic viral cross-species transmission of the Coronaviridae family and the implications of bat microbiome in zoonotic viral transmission and infection. The review also casts light on the role of the human microbiome in predicting and controlling viral infections. The significance of microbiome-mediated interventions in the treatment of viral infections is also discussed. Finally, the importance of synthetic viruses in the study of viral evolution and transmission is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riya Rajeev
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India.
| | - R Prathiviraj
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India.
| | - George Seghal Kiran
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India.
| | - Joseph Selvin
- Department of Microbiology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014, India.
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Thiévent K, Szentiványi T, Aeby S, Glaizot O, Christe P, Greub G. Presence and diversity of Chlamydiae bacteria in Spinturnix myoti, an ectoparasite of bats. Parasite 2020; 27:54. [PMID: 33135998 PMCID: PMC7605392 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia spp. and Chlamydia-like organisms are able to infect vertebrates such as mammals, reptiles and birds, but also arthropods and protozoans. Since they have been detected in bats and bat feces, we expected Chlamydiae bacteria to also be present in the mite Spinturnix myoti, an ectoparasite of mouse-eared bats (Myotis spp.). The prevalence of Chlamydiales in 88 S. myoti was 57.95% and significantly depended on bat host species. In addition, the prevalence was significantly different between bat species living in sympatry or in allopatry. While there was uninterpretable sequencing for 16 samples, eight showed best BLAST hit identities lower than 92.5% and thus corresponded to new family-level lineages according to the established taxonomy cut-off. The four remaining sequences exhibited best BLAST hit identities ranging from 94.2 to 97.4% and were taxonomically assigned to three different family-level lineages, with two of them belonging to the Parachlamydiaceae, one to the Simkaniaceae, and one to the Chlamydiaceae. These results highlighted for the first time the presence of Chlamydia-like organisms and the possible zoonotic origin of Chlamydia sp. in S. myoti ectoparasites of bats, and therefore suggest that these ectoparasites may play a role in maintaining and/or transmitting members of the Chlamydiae phylum within Myotis spp. bat populations. Our results further highlight that the wide diversity of bacteria belonging to the Chlamydiae phylum is largely underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Thiévent
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne 1011 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Tamara Szentiványi
- Museum of Zoology 1005 Lausanne Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Aeby
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne 1011 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Olivier Glaizot
- Museum of Zoology 1005 Lausanne Switzerland
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Philippe Christe
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne 1011 Lausanne Switzerland
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Nabeshima K, Sato S, Kabeya H, Komine N, Nanashima R, Takano A, Shimoda H, Maeda K, Suzuki K, Maruyama S. Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Bartonella species from bat flies on eastern bent-wing bats (Miniopterus fuliginosus) in Japan. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101570. [PMID: 33129175 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We examined Bartonella prevalence in 281 bat flies collected from 114 eastern bent-wing bats (Miniopterus fuliginosus) in Japan and phylogenetically analyzed with other bat fly and bat strains. The bat flies were identified as Penicilidia jenynsii (PJ; n = 45), Nycteribia allotopa (NA; n = 157), and novel Nycteribia species (NS; n = 79). Bartonella DNAs were detected in 31.7 % (89/281) of bat flies by PCR targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. The prevalence of Bartonella DNA among the bat flies was 47.1 % (74/157) in NA, 15.2 % (12/79) in NS, and 6.7 % (3/45) in PJ. Bartonella bacteria were also isolated from two NA and one NS. A phylogenetic analysis of the gltA sequences revealed that bat fly-associated strains were classified into three lineages and the same lineages of Bartonella were commonly detected from both Nycteribia bat flies and Miniopterus bats. These results suggest that Nycteribia bat flies are potential vectors for transmitting Bartonella among Miniopterus bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Nabeshima
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Shingo Sato
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Hidenori Kabeya
- Laboratory of Veterinary Food Hygiene, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Nazuki Komine
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Rin Nanashima
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan
| | - Ai Takano
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shimoda
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan
| | - Ken Maeda
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kazuo Suzuki
- Hikiiwa Park Center, 1629 Inari-cho, Tanabe 646-0051, Japan
| | - Soichi Maruyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan.
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Braga MDSCO, Gonçalves LR, Silva TMVD, Costa FB, Pereira JG, Santos LSD, Carvalho Neta AVD, Arruda RCND, Mesquita ETKDC, Chaves DP, Melo FA, Lopes JL, Martins RTB, Lima MS, Amaral RBD, Machado RZ, André MR. Occurrence of Bartonella genotypes in bats and associated Streblidae flies from Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e014420. [PMID: 33084785 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bartonella is a genus of emerging zoonotic bacteria that are mainly associated with mammalian erythrocytes and endothelial cells. Bats are natural reservoirs for a variety of important pathogens that impact human and animal health. Recent reports have highlighted the role of bats and bat flies in the maintenance of Bartonella. Here, we showed that none of the 29 bat DNA blood samples obtained from five bat species in São Luís Island, state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, were positive for Bartonella in qPCR assays targeting nuoG. On the other hand, three out of 15 DNA samples (20%) from flies in the family Streblidae were positive for Bartonella. The BLASTn results showed that the gltA and rpoB sequences shared identities ranging from 97.2% to 100%, with Bartonella sequences amplified from bats or bat flies from Costa Rica and Brazil. These findings were supported by phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian inferences. The present study showed that Bartonella genotypes are present in bat flies, thus shedding some light on the distribution of bat fly-related Bartonella genotypes in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Thiago Merighi Vieira da Silva
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jady Lima Lopes
- Universidade Estadual do Maranhão - UEMA, São Luís, MA, Brasil
| | | | | | - Renan Bressianini do Amaral
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
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Gerbáčová K, Maliničová L, Kisková J, Maslišová V, Uhrin M, Pristaš P. The Faecal Microbiome of Building-Dwelling Insectivorous Bats (Myotis myotis and Rhinolophus hipposideros) also Contains Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Representatives. Curr Microbiol 2020; 77:2333-2344. [PMID: 32607823 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-020-02095-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The bacteriome of bat faeces and bat guano is still not well known, despite the increasing knowledge of it as a potential source of pathogenic and/or antibiotic-resistant species. In this study, the faecal microbiome composition of two building-dwelling insectivorous bat species (Myotis myotis and Rhinolophus hipposideros) was analysed using cultivation-based and non-cultivation-based approaches. The cultivation analyses indicate the dominance of Gram-positive bacteria, represented by the genera Enterococcus, Lactococcus and Lactobacillus. Non-cultivation analysis based on 16S rRNA DGGE assays provided a different pattern, with the genus Rahnella found to predominate in the faecal microbiome. The analyses showed bat species to be the most important factor influencing the structure of the guano-associated microbial population. The presence of several possible human pathogens (Hafnia alvei, Serratia fonticola, S. liquefaciens) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (e.g. vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus nepalensis) was detected in faeces samples, indicating possible human health risks associated with bat guano. Although the bat-human transmission of infection caused by pathogenic bacteria has not been reliably confirmed to date, this possibility should not be underestimated. Given the very important ecosystem services of bats, particular those studied herein, it is time to think about appropriate management of bat populations inhabiting man-made buildings and potential conflicts with humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarína Gerbáčová
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Maliničová
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Jana Kisková
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Maslišová
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Marcel Uhrin
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia.
| | - Peter Pristaš
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04154, Košice, Slovakia
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Šoltésovej 4-6, 04001, Košice, Slovakia
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Qiu Y, Kajihara M, Nakao R, Mulenga E, Harima H, Hang’ombe BM, Eto Y, Changula K, Mwizabi D, Sawa H, Higashi H, Mweene A, Takada A, Simuunza M, Sugimoto C. Isolation of Candidatus Bartonella rousetti and Other Bat-associated Bartonellae from Bats and Their Flies in Zambia. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060469. [PMID: 32545824 PMCID: PMC7350321 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bat-associated bartonellae, including Bartonella mayotimonensis and Candidatus Bartonella rousetti, were recently identified as emerging and potential zoonotic agents, respectively. However, there is no report of bat-associated bartonellae in Zambia. Thus, we aimed to isolate and characterize Bartonella spp. from bats and bat flies captured in Zambia by culturing and PCR. Overall, Bartonella spp. were isolated from six out of 36 bats (16.7%), while Bartonella DNA was detected in nine out of 19 bat flies (47.3%). Subsequent characterization using a sequence of five different genes revealed that three isolates obtained from Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) were Ca. B. rousetti. The isolates obtained from insectivorous bats (Macronycteris vittatus) were divided into two previously unclassified bat-associated bartonellae. A phylogenetic analysis of the six genotypes of Bartonella gltA sequences from nine pathogen-positive bat flies revealed that three genotypes belonged to the same clades as bat-associated bartonellae, including Ca. B. rousetti. The other three genotypes represented arthropod-associated bartonellae, which have previously been isolated only from ectoparasites. We demonstrated that Ca. B. rousetti is maintained between bats (R. aegyptiacus) and bat flies in Zambia. Continuous surveillance of Bartonella spp. in bats and serological surveys in humans in Africa are warranted to evaluate the public health importance of bat-associated bartonellae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjin Qiu
- Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.Q.); (M.K.); (H.H.); (H.H.)
| | - Masahiro Kajihara
- Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.Q.); (M.K.); (H.H.); (H.H.)
- Division of Global Epidemiology, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.E.); (A.T.)
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan;
| | - Evans Mulenga
- Department of Para-Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (E.M.); (B.M.H.); (K.C.)
| | - Hayato Harima
- Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.Q.); (M.K.); (H.H.); (H.H.)
| | - Bernard Mudenda Hang’ombe
- Department of Para-Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (E.M.); (B.M.H.); (K.C.)
- Global Virus Network Affiliate Center of Excellence, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- African Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Yoshiki Eto
- Division of Global Epidemiology, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.E.); (A.T.)
| | - Katendi Changula
- Department of Para-Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; (E.M.); (B.M.H.); (K.C.)
| | - Daniel Mwizabi
- Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Ministry of Tourism and Arts of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
| | - Hirofumi Sawa
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan;
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Hideaki Higashi
- Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.Q.); (M.K.); (H.H.); (H.H.)
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Aaron Mweene
- Global Virus Network Affiliate Center of Excellence, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- African Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
| | - Ayato Takada
- Division of Global Epidemiology, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan; (Y.E.); (A.T.)
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Martin Simuunza
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
| | - Chihiro Sugimoto
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia;
- Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Division of Collaboration and Education, Hokkaido University Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-11-706-5297
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Sun DL, Gao YZ, Ge XY, Shi ZL, Zhou NY. Special Features of Bat Microbiota Differ From Those of Terrestrial Mammals. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1040. [PMID: 32582057 PMCID: PMC7284282 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bats (order Chiroptera) are one of the most diverse and widely distributed group of mammals with a close relationship to humans. Over the past few decades, a number of studies have been performed on bat viruses; in contrast, bacterial pathogens carried by bats were largely neglected. As more bacterial pathogens are being identified from bats, the need to study their natural microbiota is becoming urgent. In the current study, fecal samples of four bat species from different locations of China were analyzed for their microbiota composition. Together with the results of others, we concluded that bat microbiota is most commonly dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria; the strict anaerobic phylum Bacteroidetes, which is dominant in other terrestrial mammals, especially humans and mice, is relatively rare in bats. This phenomenon was interpreted as a result of a highly specified gastrointestinal tract in adaptation to the flying lifestyle of bats. Further comparative study implied that bat microbiota resemble those of the order Carnivora. To discover potential bacterial pathogens, a database was generated containing the 16S rRNA gene sequences of known bacterial pathogens. Potential bacterial pathogens belonging to 12 genera were detected such as Salmonella, Shigella, and Yersinia, among which some have been previously reported in bats. This study demonstrated high resolution and repeatability in detecting organisms of rare existence, and the results could be used as guidance for future bacterial pathogen isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Lei Sun
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Gao
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing-Yi Ge
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Zheng-Li Shi
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning-Yi Zhou
- Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Nabeshima K, Sato S, Kabeya H, Kato C, Suzuki K, Maruyama S. Isolation and genetic properties of Bartonella in eastern bent-wing bats (Miniopterus fuliginosus) in Japan. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 83:104354. [PMID: 32380314 PMCID: PMC7198413 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence and genetic characteristics of Bartonella species in eastern bent-wing bats (Miniopterus fuliginosus) from Japan were investigated. Bartonella bacteria were isolated from 12/50 (24%) of bats examined. Analyses of sequence similarities of the citrate synthase gene (gltA) and RNA polymerase beta-subunit-encoding (rpoB) gene indicated that the isolates from M. fuliginosus were distinct from those present in known Bartonella species as the levels of similarity for both of the genes were lower than the cut-off values for species identification in Bartonella. A phylogenetic analysis of the gltA sequences revealed that the Miniopterus bat-associated strains fell into five genotypes (I to V). Though genotypes I to IV formed a clade with Bartonella from Miniopterus bats from Taiwan, genotype V made a monophyletic clade separate from other bat isolates. In a phylogenetic analysis with the concatenated sequences of the 16S rRNA, gltA, rpoB, cell division protein (ftsZ) gene, and riboflavin synthase gene (ribC), isolates belonging to genotypes I to IV clustered with Bartonella strains from Taiwanese Miniopterus bats, similar to the outcome of the phylogenetic analysis with gltA, whereas genotype V also made a monophyletic clade separate from other bat-associated Bartonella strains. The present study showed that M. fuliginosus in Japan harbor both genus Miniopterus-specific Bartonella suggesting to be specific to the bats in Japan. The prevalence of Bartonella in Miniopterus fuliginosus was 24%(12/50). M. fuliginosus in Japan harbored two novel Bartonella species in their blood. One Bartonella species was the genus Miniopterus-specific Bartonella. The other was distinct from other known bat-associated Bartonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Nabeshima
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Shingo Sato
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Hidenori Kabeya
- Laboratory of Veterinary Food Hygiene, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Chihiro Kato
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Kazuo Suzuki
- Hikiiwa Park Center, 1629 Inari-cho, Tanabe 646-0051, Japan
| | - Soichi Maruyama
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan.
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45
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Bartonella bovis and Bartonella chomelii infection in dairy cattle and their ectoparasites in Algeria. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 70:101450. [PMID: 32126432 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bartonella are blood-borne and vector-transmitted bacteria, some of which are zoonotic. B. bovis and B. chomelii have been reported in cattle. However, no information has yet been provided on Bartonella infection in cattle in Algeria. Therefore, 313 cattle from 45 dairy farms were surveyed in Kabylia, Algeria, in order to identify Bartonella species infecting cattle using serological and molecular tests. In addition, 277 ticks and 33 Hippoboscidae flies were collected. Bartonella bovis and B. chomelii were identified as the two species infecting cattle. Bartonella DNA was also amplified from 6.8 % (n = 19) of ticks and 78.8 % (n = 26) of flies. Prevalence of B. bovis DNA in dairy cattle was associated both with age and altitude. This study is the first one to report of bovine bartonellosis in Algeria, both in dairy cattle and in potential Bartonella vectors, with the detection of B. bovis DNA in tick samples and B. chomelii in fly samples.
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Zhao S, Yang M, Liu G, Hornok S, Zhao S, Sang C, Tan W, Wang Y. Rickettsiae in the common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and the bat soft tick Argas vespertilionis (Ixodida: Argasidae). Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:10. [PMID: 31918751 PMCID: PMC6953312 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3885-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Increasing molecular evidence supports that bats and/or their ectoparasites may harbor vector-borne bacteria, such as bartonellae and borreliae. However, the simultaneous occurrence of rickettsiae in bats and bat ticks has been poorly studied. Methods In this study, 54 bat carcasses and their infesting soft ticks (n = 67) were collected in Shihezi City, northwestern China. The heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, small intestine and large intestine of bats were dissected, followed by DNA extraction. Soft ticks were identified both morphologically and molecularly. All samples were examined for the presence of rickettsiae by amplifying four genetic markers (17-kDa, gltA, ompA and ompB). Results All bats were identified as Pipistrellus pipistrellus, and their ticks as Argas vespertilionis. Molecular analyses showed that DNA of Rickettsia parkeri, R. lusitaniae, R. slovaca and R. raoultii was present in bat organs/tissues. In addition, nine of the 67 bat soft ticks (13.43%) were positive for R. raoultii (n = 5) and R. rickettsii (n = 4). In the phylogenetic analysis, these bat-associated rickettsiae clustered together with conspecific sequences reported from other host and tick species, confirming the above results. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, DNA of R. parkeri, R. slovaca and R. raoultii was detected for the first time in bat organs/tissues. This is also the first molecular evidence for the presence of R. raoultii and R. rickettsii in bat ticks. To our knowledge, R. parkeri was not known to occur in Asia. Our results highlight the need to assess rickettsial agents in a broader range of bat species and associated tick species.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhao
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Meihua Yang
- School of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Liu
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunli Sang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo Tan
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanzhi Wang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
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Weinborn-Astudillo RM, Pau N, Tobar BZ, Jaffe DA, Boulouis HJ, Sepúlveda P, Müller A, Chomel BB. Bartonella Infection in Stray Dogs from Central and Southern Chile (Linares and Puerto Montt). Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 20:187-192. [PMID: 31660786 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonellae are emerging zoonotic vector-borne pathogens causing a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms in humans and animals, including life-threatening endocarditis. Dogs are infected with a wide range of Bartonella species and infection has been reported in free-roaming dogs from various South American countries. We report a high Bartonella seroprevalence in 82 Chilean stray dogs. More than half of the dogs from Linares (72.7%, n = 66) and Puerto Montt (56.2%, n = 16) were seropositive for Bartonella henselae, Bartonella vinsonii ssp. berkhoffii, or Bartonella clarridgeiae with antibody titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:512. Three dogs (3.6%) were PCR positive for Bartonella sp. Partial sequencing of the gltA gene indicated that two dogs were infected with B. henselae, and one with a strain close to Bartonella vinsonii ssp. vinsonii. Exposure to Bartonella species was common in stray Chilean dogs, as for other South American countries, likely associated with heavy ectoparasite infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy M Weinborn-Astudillo
- Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca, Chile.,Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.,Escuela de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Viña del Mar, Viña del Mar, Chile
| | - Natalia Pau
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Bret Z Tobar
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
| | - David A Jaffe
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Henri-Jean Boulouis
- UMR BIPAR, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Anses, INRA, Université Paris-Est, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Paulina Sepúlveda
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Ananda Müller
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.,One Health Center for Zoonosis and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre, West Indies
| | - Bruno B Chomel
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
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André MR, Gutiérrez R, Ikeda P, do Amaral RB, de Sousa KCM, Nachum-Biala Y, Lima L, Teixeira MMG, Machado RZ, Harrus S. Genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in vampire bats from Brazil. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 66:2329-2341. [PMID: 31287942 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, an increasing number of Bartonella species have been emerged to cause human diseases. Among animal reservoirs for Bartonella spp., bats stand out due to their high mobility, wide distribution, social behaviour and long-life span. Although studies on the role of vampire bats in the epidemiology of rabies have been extensively investigated in Latin America, information on the circulation and genetic diversity of Bartonella species in these bat species is scarce. In the present work, 208 vampire bats, namely Desmodus rotundus (the common vampire bat; n = 167), Diphylla ecaudata (the hairy-legged vampire bat; n = 32) and Diaemus youngii (the white-winged vampire bat; n = 9) from 15 different states in Brazil were sampled. DNA was extracted from liver tissue samples and submitted to real-time PCR (qPCR) and conventional PCR (cPCR) assays for Bartonella spp. targeting five genetic loci, followed by phylogenetic and genotype network analyses. Fifty-one out of 208 liver samples (24.51%) were positive for Bartonella DNA in the ITS real-time PCR assay [40 (78.43%) of them were from D. rotundus from 11 states, and 11 (21.57%) samples from D. ecaudata from three states. Eleven genotypes were found for each gltA and rpoB genes. Several ITS sequences detected in the present study clustered within the lineage that includes B. bacilliformis and B. ancachensis. The Bayesian phylogenetic inference based on the gltA gene positioned the obtained sequences in six different clades, closely related to Bartonella genotypes previously detected in D. rotundus and associated ectoparasites sampled in Latin America. On the other hand, the Bartonella rpoB genotypes clustered together with the ruminant species, B. schoenbuchensis and B. chomelii. The present study describes for the first time the molecular detection of Bartonella spp. in D. ecaudata bats. It also indicates that Bartonella spp. of vampire bats are genetically diverse and geographically widespread in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos R André
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Gutiérrez
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Priscila Ikeda
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renan Bressianini do Amaral
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Luciana Lima
- Departmento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marta M G Teixeira
- Departmento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Z Machado
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Patologia Veterinária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Bai Y, Osinubi MOV, Osikowicz L, McKee C, Vora NM, Rizzo MR, Recuenco S, Davis L, Niezgoda M, Ehimiyein AM, Kia GSN, Oyemakinde A, Adeniyi OS, Gbadegesin YH, Saliman OA, Ogunniyi A, Ogunkoya AB, Kosoy MY. Human Exposure to Novel Bartonella Species from Contact with Fruit Bats. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:2317-2323. [PMID: 30457529 PMCID: PMC6256376 DOI: 10.3201/eid2412.181204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Twice a year in southwestern Nigeria, during a traditional bat festival, community participants enter designated caves to capture bats, which are then consumed for food or traded. We investigated the presence of Bartonella species in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and bat flies (Eucampsipoda africana) from these caves and assessed whether Bartonella infections had occurred in persons from the surrounding communities. Our results indicate that these bats and flies harbor Bartonella strains, which multilocus sequence typing indicated probably represent a novel Bartonella species, proposed as Bartonella rousetti. In serum from 8 of 204 persons, we detected antibodies to B. rousetti without cross-reactivity to other Bartonella species. This work suggests that bat-associated Bartonella strains might be capable of infecting humans.
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50
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Ingala MR, Becker DJ, Bak Holm J, Kristiansen K, Simmons NB. Habitat fragmentation is associated with dietary shifts and microbiota variability in common vampire bats. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:6508-6523. [PMID: 31236240 PMCID: PMC6580296 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Host ecological factors and external environmental factors are known to influence the structure of gut microbial communities, but few studies have examined the impacts of environmental changes on microbiotas in free-ranging animals. Rapid land-use change has the potential to shift gut microbial communities in wildlife through exposure to novel bacteria and/or by changing the availability or quality of local food resources. The consequences of such changes to host health and fitness remain unknown and may have important implications for pathogen spillover between humans and wildlife. To better understand the consequences of land-use change on wildlife microbiotas, we analyzed long-term dietary trends, gut microbiota composition, and innate immune function in common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in two nearby sites in Belize that vary in landscape structure. We found that vampire bats living in a small forest fragment had more homogenous diets indicative of feeding on livestock and shifts in microbiota heterogeneity, but not overall composition, compared to those living in an intact forest reserve. We also found that irrespective of sampling site, vampire bats which consumed relatively more livestock showed shifts in some core bacteria compared with vampire bats which consumed relatively less livestock. The relative abundance of some core microbiota members was associated with innate immune function, suggesting that future research should consider the role of the host microbiota in immune defense and its relationship to zoonotic infection dynamics. We suggest that subsequent homogenization of diet and habitat loss through livestock rearing in the Neotropics may lead to disruption to the microbiota that could have downstream impacts on host immunity and cross-species pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R. Ingala
- Richard Gilder Graduate SchoolAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryNew YorkNew York
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Department of MammalogyAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryNew YorkNew York
| | - Daniel J. Becker
- Odum School of EcologyUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgia
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious DiseaseUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgia
- Department of BiologyIndiana UniversityBloomingtonIndiana
| | - Jacob Bak Holm
- Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Clinical‐MicrobiomicsCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Karsten Kristiansen
- Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- BGIShenzhenChina
| | - Nancy B. Simmons
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Department of MammalogyAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryNew YorkNew York
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