Abstract

BackgroundBartonella spp. are vector-borne pathogens transmitted to humans via blood-sucking arthropods. Rodents such as the black rat (Rattus rattus) and Norway rat (R. norvegicus) are thought to be the main reservoirs. An infection with rodent-associated Bartonella spp. may cause severe symptoms in humans such as endocarditis and neuroretinitis. The current knowledge of Bartonella prevalence in rats from western Europe is scarce.MethodsRats and a few other rodent by-catches were trapped in the context of a rodenticide resistance study at different sites in Flanders, Belgium. During dissection, biometric data were collected, and spleen tissues were taken. DNA was extracted from spleen samples and tested for Bartonella spp. by conventional generic polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To determine the Bartonella species, a selected number of amplicons were sequenced and compared with GenBank entries.ResultsIn total, 1123 rodents were trapped. The predominate species was R. norvegicus (99.64%). Other rodents trapped included: two water voles (Arvicola amphibius, 0.18%); one colour rat (R. norvegicus forma domestica, 0.09%); and one muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus, 0.09%). PCR analysis of 1097 rodents resulted in 410 (37.37%, 95% CI: 34.50–40.31%) Bartonella spp. DNA-positive samples. Bartonella tribocorum (94.68%, 95% CI: 88.02–98.25%) was the most frequently detected Bartonella species, followed by B. grahamii (3.19%, 95% CI: 0.66–9.04%) and B. doshiae (1.06%, 95% CI: 0.03–5.79%). An uncultured Bartonella species occurred in one water vole (1.06%, 95% CI: 0.03–5.79%). There was a significantly higher Bartonella prevalence in older rats compared to juveniles and a significant difference in Bartonella prevalence concerning the localisation of trapping sites. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in Bartonella prevalence regarding sex, degree of urbanisation and season.ConclusionsBased on the high prevalence found, we conclude that the Norway rat seems to be a key reservoir host for zoonotic B. tribocorum in Belgium.

Highlights

  • Bartonella spp. are vector-borne pathogens transmitted to humans via blood-sucking arthropods

  • Sampling of rodents In 2015 and 2016 rodents were trapped in the context of a rodenticide resistance study for Norway rats conducted by the Belgian Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO, Brussels, Belgium)

  • Animal collection The vast majority of the 1123 trapped rodents were Norway rats (1119/1123; 99.64%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 99.09– 99.90%)

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Bartonella spp. are vector-borne pathogens transmitted to humans via blood-sucking arthropods. Rodents such as the black rat (Rattus rattus) and Norway rat (R. norvegicus) are thought to be the main reservoirs. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) is known to harbour both non-pathogenic (e.g. B_rattimasiliensis and B. taylorii) as well as pathogenic Bartonella spp. Being a reservoir for Bartonella spp. and other zoonotic agents, rodents are crucial for the transmission and maintenance of vector-borne pathogens [7, 9, 16]. Monitoring of vector-borne pathogens in connection with rat populations, serving as hosts and reservoirs, is an essential component for the surveillance, prevention and risk control in the context of public health management and One Health politics, especially concerning neglected pathogens such as Bartonella spp. Monitoring of vector-borne pathogens in connection with rat populations, serving as hosts and reservoirs, is an essential component for the surveillance, prevention and risk control in the context of public health management and One Health politics, especially concerning neglected pathogens such as Bartonella spp. [9, 18]

Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call