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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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Poon ESK, Chen G, Tsang HY, Shek CT, Tsui WC, Zhao H, Guénard B, Sin SYW. Species richness of bat flies and their associations with host bats in a subtropical East Asian region. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:37. [PMID: 36707856 PMCID: PMC9881358 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05663-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the interactions between bat flies and host bats offer us fundamental insights into the coevolutionary and ecological processes in host-parasite relationships. Here, we investigated the identities, host specificity, and patterns of host association of bat flies in a subtropical region in East Asia, which is an understudied region for bat fly research. METHODS We used both morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding to identify the bat fly species found on 11 cavernicolous bat species from five bat families inhabiting Hong Kong. We first determined the phylogenetic relationships among bat fly species. Then, we elucidated the patterns of bat-bat fly associations and calculated the host specificity of each bat fly species. Furthermore, we assembled the mitogenomes of three bat fly species from two families (Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) to contribute to the limited bat fly genetic resources available. RESULTS We examined 641 individuals of bat flies and found 20 species, of which many appeared to be new to science. Species of Nycteribiidae included five Nycteribia spp., three Penicillidia spp., two Phthiridium spp., one Basilia sp., and one species from a hitherto unknown genus, whereas Streblidae included Brachytarsina amboinensis, three Raymondia spp., and four additional Brachytarsina spp. Our bat-bat fly association network shows that certain closely related bat flies within Nycteribiidae and Streblidae only parasitized host bat species that are phylogenetically more closely related. For example, congenerics of Raymondia only parasitized hosts in Rhinolophus and Hipposideros, which are in two closely related families in Rhinolophoidea, but not other distantly related co-roosting species. A wide spectrum of host specificity of these bat fly species was also revealed, with some bat fly species being strictly monoxenous, e.g. nycteribiid Nycteribia sp. A, Phthiridium sp. A, and streblid Raymondia sp. A, while streblid B. amboinensis is polyxenous. CONCLUSIONS The bat fly diversity and specificity uncovered in this study have shed light on the complex bat-bat fly ecology in the region, but more bat-parasite association studies are still needed in East Asian regions like China as a huge number of unknown species likely exists. We highly recommend the use of DNA barcoding to support morphological identification to reveal accurate host-ectoparasite relationships for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Shui Kei Poon
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guoling Chen
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiu Yu Tsang
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chung Tong Shek
- grid.484292.10000 0004 1774 1243Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), Hong Kong SAR Government, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing Chi Tsui
- grid.484292.10000 0004 1774 1243Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), Hong Kong SAR Government, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huabin Zhao
- grid.49470.3e0000 0001 2331 6153Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 Hubei China
| | - Benoit Guénard
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon Yung Wa Sin
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, China
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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. Microb Ecol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Rosyadi I, Shimoda H, Takano A, Yanagida T, Sato H. Isolation and molecular characterization of Polychromophilus spp. (Haemosporida: Plasmodiidae) from the Asian long-fingered bat (Miniopterus fuliginosus) and Japanese large-footed bat (Myotis macrodactylus) in Japan. Parasitol Res 2022. [PMID: 35819494 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07592-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bats (order, Chiroptera) account for more than one-fifth of all mammalian species in the world and are infected by various intra-erythrocytic parasites of the family Plasmodiidae (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida), including Polychromophilus Dionisi, 1899. Recent advance in the molecular characterization of haemosporidian isolates has enabled their accurate identification, particularly in the last decade. Studies are actively conducted in tropical regions, Europe, and Australia; however, data on haemosporidian infection in bats in Asian temperate areas, including Japan, remain limited. In this study, 75 bats of 4 species (Miniopterus fuliginosus, Myotis macrodactylus, Rhinolophus nippon, and Rhinolophus cornutus) were captured at three sites in western Japan (Yamaguchi Prefecture), and haemosporidian parasites were screened microscopically and molecularly via nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the cytochrome b (cytb), cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox-1), apicoplast caseinolytic protease C (clpc), and nuclear elongation factor 2 (EF2) genes. The survey detected Polychromophilus melanipherus in 15 (40.5%) miniopterid bats (M. fuliginosus) and Polychromophilus murinus in 6 (46.2%) vespertilionid bats (M. macrodactylus), whereas none of the 25 rhinolophid bats (R. nippon and R. cornutus) was infected, indicating the robust host specificity for miniopterid (P. melanipherus) and vespertilionid (P. murinus) bats regardless of orthotopic nesting. The 15 Polychromophilus cytb sequences obtained from 11 miniopterid and 4 vespertilionid bats were classified into six cytb haplotypes (three for each species), showing no region-specific variation in a phylogenetic tree of Polychromophilus isolates in the Old World. Similarly, multiple haplotypes (seven for cox-1 and nine for clpc) and genotypes (three for EF2) were characterized for the Japanese isolates of Polychromophilus, and the results were consistent with those based on a haemosporidian cytb analysis. Bat flies (Nycteribia allotopa and another undetermined Nycteribia sp.) collected from the body surface of bats harbored Polychromophilus oocysts on the external surface of the midgut. This is the first study to report the isolation and molecular characterization of Polychromophilus spp. in miniopterid and vespertilionid bats in the temperate area of Asia (western Japan). Future studies should evaluate the global prevalence of haemosporidian infections in bats.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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