Bartonella infection in small mammals and their ectoparasites in Lithuania.
The Bartonella pathogen is an emerging zoonotic agent. Epidemiological studies worldwide have demonstrated that small mammals are reservoir hosts of Bartonella spp. and their ectoparasites are potential vectors. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella infections in small mammals (Rodentia, Insectivora) and their ectoparasites (fleas and ticks) in Lithuania. A total of 430 small mammals representing nine species were captured with live-traps in Lithuania during 2013-2014. A total of 151 fleas representing eight species were collected from 109 (25.8%) small mammals. Five hundred and seventy ticks (Ixodes ricinus) were collected from 68 (16.1%) small mammals. Bartonella DNA was detected in 102 (23.7%) small mammals, 44 (29.1%) fleas and five (3.7%) pooled tick samples. Sequence analysis of 16S-23S rRNA ITS region showed that sequences were identical or similar to Bartonella grahamii, Bartonella taylorii and Bartonella rochalimae. This study is the first investigating the distribution and diversity of Bartonella species in small mammals and their ectoparasites in Lithuania. B. grahamii, B. taylorii, and B. rochalimae were detected in small mammals and their fleas, and B. grahamii in ticks obtained from small mammals.
Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos Str. 8, LT-44404 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Indre
I
Lipatova
Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos Str. 8, LT-44404 Kaunas, Lithuania. Electronic address: a.paulauskas@gmf.vdu.lt.
Algimantas
A
Paulauskas
Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos Str. 8, LT-44404 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Irma
I
Puraite
Department of Biology, Vytautas Magnus University, Vileikos Str. 8, LT-44404 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Jana
J
Radzijevskaja
Nature Research Centre, Akademijos Str. 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Linas
L
Balciauskas
Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum, Laisves Av. 106, LT-44253 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Vaclovas
V
Gedminas
D000818:Animals; D001473:Bartonella / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D021901:DNA, Intergenic / Q000235:genetics; D007312:Eulipotyphla / Q000382:microbiology*; D018884:Ixodes / Q000382:microbiology*; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / Q000235:genetics; D012377:Rodentia / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000382:microbiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D021901:DNA, Intergenic; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S
Bartonella; Fleas; ITS; Lithuania; Ticks