Molecular investigation of zoonotic intracellular bacteria in Chilean bats. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Müller, Ananda; Sepúlveda, Paulina; Di Cataldo, Sophia; Cevidanes, Aitor; Lisón, Fulgencio; Millán, Javier
• Is Part Of: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. Volume 73(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Chiropterans -- One health -- Proteobacteria -- South America -- Vector-borne -- Zoonosis; Communicable diseases in animals -- Periodicals; Veterinary immunology -- Periodicals; Veterinary microbiology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- veterinary -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Maladies infectieuses -- Périodiques; Communicable diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.08969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-9571

Abstract

Highlights: 55 bats of 5 species sampled in 3 regions in Chile. 38 % DNA positive for Bartonella sp. Characterization revealed genotypes related with worldwide bat Bartonella . 9% DNA positive for Coxiella burnetii, being the first detection in any Chilean wild animal. All samples negative for Rickettsia DNA. 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.