Bartonella species detected in rodents and hedgehogs from Algeria

Abstract

Bartonella spp. are fastidious, gram-negative and oxidase-negative bacteria [1]. Since the last decade of the 20 century, more than 22 species of genus Bartonella have been recognised. According to previous studies of Bartonella spp., five species are associated with rodents, including B. tribocorum, B. elizabethae, B. taylorii and B. birtlesii, which were detected in Apodemus mouse, and B. vinsonii subsp. arupensis detected in mice. To date 11 species have been implicated in human diseases. The objective of this study was to detect and to identify Bartonella species in rodents and hedgehogs from Algeria.