Genetic diversity of Bartonella Spp. In small rodents from Lithuania

Abstract

Intracellular bacteria from genus Bartonella is associated with different species of mammals and transmitted by arthropods vectors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in small rodents from Lithuania. A total of 430 small mammals representing nine species captured in Lithuania during 2013-2014 were examined for the presence of Bartonella pathogens. For Bartonella spp. detection and molecular characterization we used PCR amplification and sequence analysis of partial gltA, rpoB, groEL genes and ITS region sequences. Bartonella DNA was detected in 23.7% (430/120) of small rodents: in 33.2% of Apodemus flavicollis, 23.7% of Micromys minutus, 15.5% of Myodes glareolus, 12.5% of Microtus oeconomus, and in one specimen of Mi. arvalis. Sequence analysis of Bartonella isolates demonstrated the presence of Bartonella grahamii, Bartonella taylorii and Bartonella sp. from the Bartonella rochalimae group. Different B. grahamii genotypes were detected in five small rodent species A. flavicollis, M. minutus, My. glareolus, Mi. arvalis, Mi. oeconomus, while B. taylorii genotypes were detected in A. flavicollis and My. glareolus. Bartonella genotype belonging to the B. rochalimae group was detected in My. glareolus