Molecular investigation of zoonotic intracellular bacteria in Chilean bats |
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| Institution: | 1. University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Diseases, Sub-Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland;2. State Veterinary Laboratory, Droga M?czenników Majdanka 50, 20-325 Lublin, Poland;3. University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences, Sub-Department of Pathophysiology, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland;4. University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Physiology, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland |
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| Abstract: | Intracellular pathogens were investigated for the first time in 55 Chilean bats belonging to six species. Using a conventional PCR protocol targeting a fragment of the ITS region, 21 bats (38 %) were positive for DNA of Bartonella sp. Molecular characterization of fragments of the gltA, rpoB and fstZ genes and subsequent phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of diverse genotypes related to Bartonella from bats worldwide. DNA from C. burnetii was investigated using a real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol targeting the IS1111 gene and yielded positive results for 5 individuals (9%), being the first report of C. burnetii in wildlife in Chile. All bats were negative for Rickettsia sp., evaluated by qPCR for the gltA gene, confirming that bats do not act as important reservoirs for Rickettsia. This preliminary survey calls for more comprehensive studies on the epidemiology of these agents, including larger sample sizes, the evaluation of potential transmission routes and spillover potential. |
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| Keywords: | Chiropterans One health Proteobacteria South America Vector-borne Zoonosis |
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