Detection and characterization of zoonotic Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews ectoparasites from Kigoma and Morogoro Regions, Tanzania
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
De Gruyter
Abstract
Bartonellosis is a vector-borne disease which is
increasingly threatening the health of humans and animals
worldwide consequent to the growing wildlife-animals-
human interactions. Little is known about the epidemiology
of this disease in Tanzania. In this study we investigated
and characterized Bartonella species in small mammals’
ectoparasites from potentially high-risk areas in the country.
A total of 141 ectoparasites pools of mites, fleas, ticks, and lice
were analyzed using conventional PCR and sequencing.
Bartonella DNA was detected in 34.8 % of the tested ecto-
parasite pools, with mites at 32.9 %, fleas at 40 %, ticks at
12.5 %, and lice at 50 %. Phylogenetic analysis showed that
the Bartonella spp. genotypes were closely related to those
found in Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. Different geno-
types with independent haplotypes were observed, although
most Bartonella spp. from fleas shared the same haplogroup.
The confirmed presence of Bartonella elizabethae and Bar-
tonella tribocorum in field and house rodents emphasizes
the prevailing transmission risk of zoonotic infections in the
study areas and beyond. Screening of humans, companion
animals, and livestock in potentially high-risk areas in
Tanzania is necessary in order to inform the development of
responsive surveillance and control strategies.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Bartonella, Vector-borne disease, Reservoirs, Rural settings, Habitats
Citation
https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2023-0072