Genetic diversity of Bartonella Taylorii and Bartonella Grahamii strains in reservoir hosts

Abstract

Bacterial strains are characteristic feature of many bacterial pathogens, including species of the genus Bartonella. In Europe, B. taylorii and B. grahamii frequently distribution in reservoir hosts such as mice, voles and rats. However, there is a lack of studies of B. taylorii and B. grahamii strains in reservoir hosts. The objectives of this study were to characterize the genetic diversity of Bartonella strains by sequence analysis of two housekeeping genes (rpoB, groEL) and and the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic species region (ITS). Phylogenetic analysis of rpoB gene reveals the presence of twelve B. taylorii strains in mice and voles. Six B. taylorii strains were unique and detected in M. glareolus voles. The sequences analysis of the ITS region reveals the presence seven B. taylorii strains. Four unique B. taylorii genotypes were detected in A. flavicollis mice. Phylogenetic analysis of rpoB and groEL demonstrated the presence of three B. grahamii strains in mice and voles. The sequences analysis of the ITS region reveals the presence four B. grahamii strains in mice. In the present study B. taylorii strains showed higher diversity compered to B. grahamii. This study represents molecular characterization of Bartonella strains circulating in reservoir hosts.