First report of three novel Bartonella species isolated in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand

Research (Published online: 08-07-2022)

4. First report of three novel Bartonella species isolated in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand

Decha Pangjai, Burin Nimsuphan, Wimol Petkanchanapong, Wattanapong Wootta, Maskiet Boonyareth, Wuttikon Rodkvamtook and Sumalee Boonmar

Veterinary World, 15(7): 1624-1631

Decha Pangjai: Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.

Burin Nimsuphan: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

Wimol Petkanchanapong: Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.

Wattanapong Wootta: Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.

Maskiet Boonyareth: Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.

Wuttikon Rodkvamtook: Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Royal Thai Army, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

Sumalee Boonmar: Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.1624-1631

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Article history: Received: 23-02-2022, Accepted: 24-05-2022, Published online: 08-07-2022

Corresponding author: Sumalee Boonmar

E-mail: sumalee.bo@wu.ac.th

Citation: Pangjai D, Nimsuphan B, Petkanchanapong W, Wootta W, Boonyareth M, Rodkvamtook W, Boonmar S (2022) First report of three novel Bartonella species isolated in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand, Veterinary World, 15(7): 1624-1631.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Bartonella spp. are Gram-negative zoonotic bacteria that are transmitted to humans by several types of animal hosts, including rodents. Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of Bartonella infections in rodents. However, the risk of rodent-associated Bartonella spp. infection in humans remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and genetic heterogeneity of Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand using culture and molecular techniques.

Materials and Methods: A total of 860 blood samples from rodents and shrews across nine provinces of Thailand were collected from January 2013 to June 2016. Bartonella spp. were isolated from all samples using conventional culture techniques and polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic tree analysis was used to align the Bartonella sequences obtained from this study.

Results: The prevalence of Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews was 11.5% (99/860, 95% confidence interval: 9.38–13.64%). The following nine species of Bartonella were detected: Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella queenslandensis, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella chanthaburi spp. nov., Bartonella satun spp. nov., Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella ranong spp. nov., and Bartonella henselae. The prevalence of Bartonella-positive animals differed significantly among provinces.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, the three novel Bartonella spp. isolated from rodents and shrews across Thailand were detected for the first time in this study. Further studies on the epidemiology of Bartonella infection in rodents and its interaction with human health should be conducted in accordance with the Thai government's "One Health" approach to humans, animals, and the environment.

Keywords: Bartonella spp., phylogenetic analysis, polymerase chain reaction, rodents.