Vector‐borne protozoan and bacterial pathogen occurrence and diversity in ectoparasites of the Egyptian Rousette bat

• Published in: Medical and veterinary entomology Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 189 - 194
• Main Authors: Szentiványi, Tamara, Heintz, Anne‐Caroline, Markotter, Wanda, Wassef, Jérôme, Christe, Philippe, Glaizot, Olivier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2023; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Bartonella; Bartonella Infections - epidemiology; Bartonella Infections - veterinary; Bats; DNA sequencing; ectoparasite; Ectoparasites; Flea Infestations - veterinary; Genotypes; Insects; Ischnopsyllidae; Molecular biology; Nycteribiidae; Parasites - genetics; Pathogens; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; Public health; Siphonaptera; Siphonaptera - genetics; Trypanosoma; vector; Vectors (Biology); ectoparasite; Bartonella; vector; Ischnopsyllidae; Nycteribiidae
• ISSN: 0269-283X; 1365-2915
• DOI: 10.1111/mve.12639

Bats are known reservoir hosts for a wide variety of parasites and pathogens, including bacteria and protozoans. Some of these pathogens are vector‐borne, and although their role is poorly studied, ectoparasites may contribute significantly to their transmission. The aim of this study was to molecularly detect the presence of vector‐borne microorganisms in bat‐associated ectoparasites to explore their diversity and distribution in these insects. We tested the presence of Bartonella spp., Polychromophilus spp., and Trypanosoma spp. in bat flies and bat fleas collected from 56 Egyptian Rousette bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), using conventional PCR. We found a high prevalence of 43.9% (47/107) of Bartonella spp. in bat flies, but a low prevalence of 6.6% (4/61) in bat fleas. Polychromophilus and Trypanosoma DNA were absent in both bat flies and bat fleas. Furthermore, we found novel gltA Bartonella sequences, as well as genotypes that are highly similar to recently described and potentially zoonotic ones. Our results show high diversity of Bartonella in bat flies, however, their role in pathogen transmission is still unknown and should be further explored. High diversity of Bartonella is present in parasitic bat flies. Some Bartonella genotypes are highly similar to potentially zoonotic ones. Presence of Polychromophilus and Trypanosoma was not detected in bat‐associated ectoparasites.