Genetic diversity of Bartonella rpoB haplotypes in domestic cats from Chile

• Published in: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases Vol. 107; p. 102150
• Main Authors: Sepúlveda-García, Paulina, Jara, Ronald, Mella, Armin, Monti, Gustavo, Canales, Nivia, Furquim, Maria Eduarda Chiaradia, André, Marcos Rogério, Müller, Ananda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Bartonella - genetics; Bartonella henselae - genetics; Bartonella Infections - epidemiology; Bartonella Infections - veterinary; Bartonella spp; Cat Diseases - epidemiology; Cats; Chile - epidemiology; Cloning; Coinfection; Genetic diversity; Genetic Variation; Haplotypes; Phylogeny; Chile; Genetic diversity; Coinfection; Bartonella spp; Cloning
• ISSN: 0147-9571; 1878-1667
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102150

The study aimed to determine the inter and intra-host Bartonella spp. genetic diversity in cats from Chile. ‘Seventy-nine cats’ blood DNA samples qPCR Bartonella spp. positive were subjected to T-A cloning of Bartonella spp. rpoB partial gene (825 bp), and sequencing by Sanger method. The sequences were submitted to phylogenetic and polymorphism analysis. Thirty-six (45.6%) samples were successfully cloned, generating 118 clones of which 109 showed 99.6%–100% identity with Bartonella henselae whereas 9 showed 99.8–100% identity with Bartonella koehlerae. Haplotype analysis yielded 29 different rpoB-B. henselae haplotypes, one (hap#2) overrepresented in 31 out of 33 cats, and 4 rpoB-B. koehlerae haplotypes, with hap#2 represented in all 3 B. koehlerae infected cats. More than one rpoB -B. henselae and B. koehlerae haplotypes were identified in individual cats, reporting by first time coinfection by different B. henselae/B. koehlerae rpoB variants in cats from Chile. •Twenty-nine Bartonella henselae rpoB haplotypes identified in Chilean cats.•Four Bartonella koehlerae rpoB haplotypes identified in Chilean cats.•Considerable genetic variability of B. henselae and B. koehlerae rpoB in cats.•Intra-host diversity with more than one B. henselae and B. koehlerae rpoB haplotype per animal.