Detection of Bartonella sp. in ticks and their small mammal hosts in mangrove forests of Peninsular Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.37.4.919
- Author:
Asyikha, R.
1
;
Sulaiman, N.
1
;
Mohd-Taib, F.S.
1
Author Information
1. Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2020;37(No.4):919-931
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Bacteria of the genus Bartonella have been known as emerging zoonotic pathogens
for several human diseases including cat scratch disease, Carrion’s disease and trench fever.
Numerous species of small mammals have been reported to play a role as a suitable reservoir
to many pathogenic Bartonella. These infections are thought to be transmitted through
blood-feeding arthropod vectors such as ticks, fleas and lice. The purpose of this study is to
detect the presence of Bartonella species from tick samples collected from small mammals
in mangrove forests of Peninsular Malaysia. Herein, 38 individual ticks and their small mammals
host were evaluated for the presence of Bartonella DNA by conventional PCR targeting the
16S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ITS) and partial sequencing of 460 bp from this locususing
Bartonella genus-specific primers. Two tick individuals from Dermacentor auratus and
Haemaphysalis hystricis collected from Rattus tiomanicus (host), were PCR-positive for
Bartonella DNA amplification. No Bartonella amplification was possible in other tick species
(Amblyomma sp.). Phylogenetic analysis of ITS fragments demonstrated that the sequences
from ticks were closely related to Bartonella phoceensis, a species that has been reported
from black rats (Rattus rattus) in Australia. This is the first report of a Bartonella bacteria
detected in ticks from small mammals in Malaysia. Further research should be warranted to
investigate the transmission of Bartonella and the potential impact of this zoonotic pathogen
in animals and humans as this mangrove ecosystem is significant for local economy and
tourism
- Full text:8.2020my1178.pdf
