Phylogenetic analysis of zoonotic Acinetobacter spp. isolated from Geoffroy's bat (Myotis emarginatus), Northern Iraq

Abstract

The current study was conducted to isolate and evaluate the phylogenetic status of the zoonotic Acinetobacter spp. from the Geoffroy's bat (Myotis emarginatus). The sample collection included 35 bats captured in some caves in Northern Iraq. Intestine parts and swabs were taken from each bat. The specimens were subjected to bacterial cultivation processes and 16S rRNA gene and beta lactamase (bla TEM-1) dependent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to detect the genus level and the virulence activity, respectively. The phylogenetic tree was built utilizing the 16S rRNA gene. The findings of the bacterial cultivation revealed the presence of the bacterium in 23 (65.7%) of the collected bats; however, the 16S rRNA-PCR showed that only 10 (28.57%) of the bats demonstrated the incidence of this microorganism in their intestines. The bla TEM-1-PCR reported that 4 (40%) isolates of the 16S rRNA-PCR positive bats carried the β-lactamase gene in their genetic materials. The phylogenetic tree showed that the genetic similarity of the current study isolates was closely related to those from Egypt and China. The present data show that Acinetobacter spp. is present in the intestine of the Geoffroy's bat (Myotis emarginatus) located in some caves from Northern Iraq, and some isolates have virulence potential represented by the composition of the beta lactamase gene.