Abstract
In addition to several emerging viruses, bats have been reported to host multiple bacteria but their zoonotic threats remain poorly understood, especially in Africa where the diversity of bats is important. Here, we investigated the presence and diversity of Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. in bats and their ectoparasites (Diptera and Siphonaptera) collected across South Africa and Swaziland. We collected 384 blood samples and 14 ectoparasites across 29 different bat species and found positive samples in four insectivorous and two frugivorous bat species, as well as their Nycteribiidae flies. Phylogenetic analyses revealed diverse Bartonella genotypes and one main group of Rickettsia, distinct from those previously reported in bats and their ectoparasites, and for some closely related to human pathogens. Our results suggest a differential pattern of host specificity depending on bat species. Bartonella spp. identified in bat flies and blood were identical supporting that bat flies may serve as vectors. Our results represent the first report of bat-borne Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. in these countries and highlight the potential role of bats as reservoirs of human bacterial pathogens.
Highlights
In recent years, the emergence of bat-borne pathogens has focused interest and stimulated further research
13 blood samples were positive for Bartonella spp. and six for Rickettsia spp. (Fig 1)
Four bat species were positive for Bartonella spp.: Miniopterus natalensis, Nycteris thebaica, Epomophorus wahlbergi and Rousettus aegyptiacus, and five for Rickettsia spp.: M. natalensis, N. thebaica, E. wahlbergi, Scotophilus dinganii and Glauconycteris variegata
Summary
The emergence of bat-borne pathogens has focused interest and stimulated further research. Several studies have shown pathogen spillover from bats to humans, leading in some instances to significant morbidity and mortality, as demonstrated for example with Marburg, Nipah and Hendra viruses [1]. Bats have been reported to carry vector-borne bacteria, such as Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. [2], as well as ectoparasites capable of feeding on humans, their zoonotic threats remain poorly understood. Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. are intracellular bacteria that are associated with a growing spectrum of emerging diseases in humans, such as life-threatening endocarditis and spotted and typhus fevers [3,4]. Bartonella species are mainly transmitted to humans through faeces of PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0152077. Bartonella species are mainly transmitted to humans through faeces of PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0152077 March 21, 2016
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