Molecular Detection of Bartonella Species in Rodents Residing in Urban and Suburban Areas of Central Thailand
2021
Phirabhat Saengsawang | Serge Morand | Marc Desquesnes | Sarawut Yangtara | Tawin Inpankaew
Bartonella spp. are Gram-negative zoonotic bacteria transmitted to humans via various blood-sucking arthropods. Rodents have been identified as reservoir hosts of several zoonotic pathogens, including Bartonella spp. In Thailand, studies of Bartonella spp. in rodents from urban areas are limited: thus, a study in this area is necessary. The objectives of this study were to detect Bartonella spp. in rodents in Thailand and to compare the species&rsquo: distribution across different areas. In total, 70 blood samples from rodents in urban and suburban areas were tested for Bartonella spp. using a conventional polymerase chain reaction that targeted the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. All Bartonella-positive sequences were analyzed using polymorphism in order to build a phylogenetic tree. Approximately 38% of the rodents studied contained Bartonella DNA. Both Rattus exulans (Pacific rat) and R. tanezumi (Asian house rat) contained Bartonella spp. Four species of Bartonella were detected in blood samples: B. tribocorum, B. phoceensis, B. grahamii, and B. rattimassiliensis. In addition, eight Pacific rats contained the B. kosoyi&ndash:B. tribocorum complex. Bartonella phoceensis and B. tribocorum&ndash:B. kosoyi complexes were found in a specific habitat (p <: 0.05). Interestingly, only seven haplotypes were identified in the sequences analyzed, and only haplotype A was found in both rodent species. Finally, a monitoring program for zoonotic Bartonella infection, especially the B. kosoyi&ndash:B. tribocorum complex, B. phoceensis, B. grahamii, and B. rattimassiliensis should be established, especially in high-risk areas.
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