title: Molecular characterization of haemoparasites infecting bats (Microchiroptera) in Cornwall, UK.
abstract: The presence of haemoparasites from the Order Piroplasmida and the genera Bartonella and Trypanosoma was assessed in the blood of 60 bats, belonging to 7 species, inhabiting sites across Cornwall in southwest England. DNA extracted from macerated heart tissue was incorporated into taxon-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and amplification products were sequenced as a means of identifying, or assigning an identity, to detected haemoparasites. A Piroplasmida species was detected in 6 Pipistrellus spp., whereas Bartonella infections were detected in 5 bats belonging to 4 different species. Trypanosoma dionisii was detected in 1 Pipistrellus spp. Phylogenetic inference from alignment of a partial 18S rRNA-encoding gene sequence of the pipistrelle-associated Piroplasmida species with homologous sequences available for other members of the Order indicated that this organism was unique but specifically related to members of the genus Babesia, a phylogeny that would be in keeping with the organism being Babesia vesperuginis. Alignment of partial citrate synthase gene sequences from the bat-associated bartonellae revealed 5 distinct genotypes that were probably derived from 2 distinct Bartonella species. The study demonstrates the utility of molecular methods for detecting haemoparasites in dead bats and provides, for the first time, tangible identities for bat-associated Babesia and Bartonella species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Concannon
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wynn-Owen
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Birtles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D001473:Bartonella / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D004739:England; D005784:Gene Amplification; D010802:Phylogeny; D016792:Piroplasmida / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000032:analysis; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013045:Species Specificity; D016794:Theileria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S