Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR
ABSTRACT Among the most studied mammals in terms of their role in the spread of various pathogens with possible zoonotic effects are bats. These are animals with a very complex lifestyle, diet, and behavior. They are able to fly long distances, thus maintaining and spreading the pathogens they may b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Society for Microbiology
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Microbiology Spectrum |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01531-23 |
| _version_ | 1797658186733322240 |
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| author | Alexandra Corduneanu Zbigniew Zając Joanna Kulisz Aneta Wozniak Angélique Foucault-Simonin Sara Moutailler Alejandra Wu-Chuang Áron Peter Attila D. Sándor Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz |
| author_facet | Alexandra Corduneanu Zbigniew Zając Joanna Kulisz Aneta Wozniak Angélique Foucault-Simonin Sara Moutailler Alejandra Wu-Chuang Áron Peter Attila D. Sándor Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz |
| author_sort | Alexandra Corduneanu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Among the most studied mammals in terms of their role in the spread of various pathogens with possible zoonotic effects are bats. These are animals with a very complex lifestyle, diet, and behavior. They are able to fly long distances, thus maintaining and spreading the pathogens they may be carrying. These pathogens also include vector-borne parasites and bacteria that can be spread by ectoparasites such as ticks and bat flies. In the present study, high-throughput screening was performed and we detected three bacterial pathogens: Bartonella spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Mycoplasma spp., and a protozoan parasite: Theileria spp. in paired samples from bats (blood and ectoparasites). In the samples from the bat-arthropod pairs, we were able to detect Bartonella spp. and Mycoplasma spp. which also showed a high phylogenetic diversity, demonstrating the importance of these mammals and the arthropods associated with them in maintaining the spread of pathogens. Previous studies have also reported the presence of these pathogens, with one exception, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, for which phylogenetic analysis revealed less genetic divergence. High-throughput screening can detect more bacteria and parasites at once, reduce screening costs, and improve knowledge of bats as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens. IMPORTANCE The increasing number of zoonotic pathogens is evident through extensive studies and expanded animal research. Bats, known for their role as reservoirs for various viruses, continue to be significant. However, new findings highlight the emergence of Bartonella spp., such as the human-infecting B. mayotimonensis from bats. Other pathogens like N. mikurensis, Mycoplasma spp., and Theileria spp. found in bat blood and ectoparasites raise concerns, as their impact remains uncertain. These discoveries underscore the urgency for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to understand and monitor zoonotic pathogens. By deepening our knowledge and collaboration, we can mitigate these risks, safeguarding human and animal well-being. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:55:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dabd8acd5e1b45ad9e5f2499362cbb90 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2165-0497 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:55:30Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microbiology Spectrum |
| spelling | doaj.art-dabd8acd5e1b45ad9e5f2499362cbb902023-10-17T13:04:36ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologyMicrobiology Spectrum2165-04972023-10-0111510.1128/spectrum.01531-23Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCRAlexandra Corduneanu0Zbigniew Zając1Joanna Kulisz2Aneta Wozniak3Angélique Foucault-Simonin4Sara Moutailler5Alejandra Wu-Chuang6Áron Peter7Attila D. Sándor8Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz9Department of Animal Breeding and Animal Production, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin , Lublin, PolandDepartment of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin , Lublin, PolandDepartment of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin , Lublin, PolandANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale , Maisons-Alfort, FranceANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale , Maisons-Alfort, FranceANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale , Maisons-Alfort, FranceDepartment of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale , Maisons-Alfort, FranceABSTRACT Among the most studied mammals in terms of their role in the spread of various pathogens with possible zoonotic effects are bats. These are animals with a very complex lifestyle, diet, and behavior. They are able to fly long distances, thus maintaining and spreading the pathogens they may be carrying. These pathogens also include vector-borne parasites and bacteria that can be spread by ectoparasites such as ticks and bat flies. In the present study, high-throughput screening was performed and we detected three bacterial pathogens: Bartonella spp., Neoehrlichia mikurensis and Mycoplasma spp., and a protozoan parasite: Theileria spp. in paired samples from bats (blood and ectoparasites). In the samples from the bat-arthropod pairs, we were able to detect Bartonella spp. and Mycoplasma spp. which also showed a high phylogenetic diversity, demonstrating the importance of these mammals and the arthropods associated with them in maintaining the spread of pathogens. Previous studies have also reported the presence of these pathogens, with one exception, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, for which phylogenetic analysis revealed less genetic divergence. High-throughput screening can detect more bacteria and parasites at once, reduce screening costs, and improve knowledge of bats as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens. IMPORTANCE The increasing number of zoonotic pathogens is evident through extensive studies and expanded animal research. Bats, known for their role as reservoirs for various viruses, continue to be significant. However, new findings highlight the emergence of Bartonella spp., such as the human-infecting B. mayotimonensis from bats. Other pathogens like N. mikurensis, Mycoplasma spp., and Theileria spp. found in bat blood and ectoparasites raise concerns, as their impact remains uncertain. These discoveries underscore the urgency for heightened vigilance and proactive measures to understand and monitor zoonotic pathogens. By deepening our knowledge and collaboration, we can mitigate these risks, safeguarding human and animal well-being.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01531-23Batspiroplasmsbacterial pathogenshigh-throughput screening |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra Corduneanu Zbigniew Zając Joanna Kulisz Aneta Wozniak Angélique Foucault-Simonin Sara Moutailler Alejandra Wu-Chuang Áron Peter Attila D. Sándor Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR Microbiology Spectrum Bats piroplasms bacterial pathogens high-throughput screening |
| title | Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR |
| title_full | Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR |
| title_fullStr | Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR |
| title_short | Detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high-throughput microfluidic real-time PCR |
| title_sort | detection of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in individual bats and their ectoparasites using high throughput microfluidic real time pcr |
| topic | Bats piroplasms bacterial pathogens high-throughput screening |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.01531-23 |
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