Abstract
To evaluate the risk for emerging human infections caused by zoonotic Bartonella spp. from exotic small mammals, we investigated the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in 546 small mammals (28 species) that had been imported into Japan as pets from Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle and Near East. We obtained 407 Bartonella isolates and characterized them by molecular phylogenetic analysis of the citrate synthase gene, gltA. The animals examined carried 4 zoonotic Bartonella spp. that cause human endocarditis and neuroretinitis and 6 novel Bartonella spp. at a high prevalence (26.0%, 142/546). We conclude that exotic small mammals potentially serve as reservoirs of several zoonotic Bartonella spp.
Highlights
The genus Bartonella includes a variety of gram-negative, fastidious, hemotrophic bacteria that are transmitted by blood-sucking arthropod vectors
Our study objectives were to 1) examine the prevalence of Bartonella spp. infection in exotic small mammals imported into Japan from various countries, 2) compare the diversity of these Bartonella strains by analyzing the partial sequence of the citrate synthase gene, and 3) evaluate the possibility that these mammals may serve as potential reservoirs of zoonotic Bartonella spp
We report prevalence of bartonellae in exotic small mammals imported into Japan as pets
Summary
The genus Bartonella includes a variety of gram-negative, fastidious, hemotrophic bacteria that are transmitted by blood-sucking arthropod vectors. Of. Previous studies have demonstrated high prevalence of infection with Bartonella spp. in wild and peridomestic small animals in Europe (7,13–15), North and South America (5,16–19), Asia (20–23), and Africa (8). Previous studies have demonstrated high prevalence of infection with Bartonella spp. in wild and peridomestic small animals in Europe (7,13–15), North and South America (5,16–19), Asia (20–23), and Africa (8) These animals are thought to be reservoirs of several Bartonella spp. and sources of infection for humans. Our study objectives were to 1) examine the prevalence of Bartonella spp. infection in exotic small mammals imported into Japan from various countries, 2) compare the diversity of these Bartonella strains by analyzing the partial sequence of the citrate synthase gene (gltA), and 3) evaluate the possibility that these mammals may serve as potential reservoirs of zoonotic Bartonella spp
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