Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella spp. in Streblidae flies and Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites parasites of bats

Abstract

Bacteria belonging to Bartonella genus, fastidious gram-negative microorganisms highly specialized parasites of mammals, are the etiologic agents of bartonellosis, a disease whose clinical signs vary according to the different species of hosts and pathogens involved. Currently, over 30 species within this genus are described throughout the world. The transmission of these organisms occurs through hematophagous arthropod vectors (fleas, ticks, lice and mosquitoes), which is facilitated by the maintainance of a prolonged parasitemia in their vertebrate hosts. The search for domestic and wild vertebrates hosts and vectors for Bartonella species is much needed, based on the zoonotic importance of this group of organisms. Thus, this study aims to investigate, using molecular techniques, the occurrence of Bartonella in Streblidae diptera and Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae mites collected from bats captured in the Biological Reserve Tinguá, located in the northeast of the municipality of Nova Iguaçu, state of Rio de Janeiro. For this purpose, 400 individuals of Strelidae diptera and 100 Macronyssidae e Spinturnicidae mites will be submitted to DNA extraction and subsequent PCR quantitative real time (qPCR) for Bartonella spp. based on nuoG gene. Positive samples will be submitted to conventional PCR assays based on the intergenic region of the 16S-23S ribosomal RNA gene (ITS) and gltA, rpoB, ribC, pap-31, Fstz, groEL and nuoG genes of Bartonella spp., in order to perform molecular characterization by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. This work will contribute to the understanding of the genetic diversity of circulating Bartonella genus organisms in wildlife and ectoparasites in our country. (AU)