Association of Bartonella Species with Wild and Synanthropic Rodents in Different Brazilian Biomes
ABSTRACTBartonellaspp. comprise an ecologically successful group of microorganisms that infect erythrocytes and have adapted to different hosts, which include a wide range of mammals, besides humans. Rodents are reservoirs of about two-thirds ofBartonellaspp. described to date; and some of them have been implicated as causative agents of human diseases. In our study, we performed molecular and phylogenetic analyses ofBartonellaspp. infecting wild rodents from five different Brazilian biomes. In order to characterize the genetic diversity ofBartonellaspp., we performed a robust analysis based on three target genes, followed by sequencing, Bayesian inference, and maximum likelihood analysis.Bartonellaspp. were detected in 25.6% (117/457) of rodent spleen samples analyzed, and this occurrence varied among different biomes. The diversity analysis ofgltAsequences showed the presence of 15 different haplotypes. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationship ofgltAsequences performed by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood showed that theBartonellaspecies detected in rodents from Brazil was closely related to the phylogenetic group A detected in other cricetid rodents from North America, probably constituting only one species. Last, theBartonellaspecies genogroup identified in the present study formed a monophyletic group that includedBartonellasamples from seven different rodent species distributed in three distinct biomes. In conclusion, our study showed that the occurrence ofBartonellabacteria in rodents is much more frequent and widespread than previously recognized.IMPORTANCEIn the present study, we reported the occurrence ofBartonellaspp. in some sites in Brazil. The identification and understanding of the distribution of this important group of bacteria may allow the Brazilian authorities to recognize potential regions with the risk of transmission of these pathogens among wild and domestic animals and humans. In addition, our study accessed important gaps in the biology of this group of bacteria in Brazil, such as its low host specificity, high genetic diversity, and relationship with otherBartonellaspp. detected in rodents trapped in America. Considering the diversity of newly discoveredBartonellaspecies and the great ecological plasticity of these bacteria, new studies with the aim of revealing the biological aspects unknown until now are needed and must be performed around the world. In this context, the impact ofBartonellaspp. associated with rodents in human health should be assessed in future studies.