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Pathogenic New World Relapsing Fever Borrelia in a Myotis Bat, Eastern China, 2015
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|November 21, 2020
Summary
A novel bacterium, Candidatus Borrelia fainii, was found in a Myotis bat in China, causing New World relapsing fever. This discovery highlights the expanding geographic range of Borrelia species and potential human infection risks in the region.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Relapsing fever is a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia bacteria.
- New World relapsing fever is primarily associated with the Americas.
- Borrelia species are known to infect various mammalian hosts, including bats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative agent of an observed illness in a Myotis bat.
- To determine the geographic distribution and host range of Borrelia species.
- To assess the potential for zoonotic transmission of relapsing fever in China.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial isolation and identification from a Myotis bat.
- Molecular phylogenetic analysis to confirm species.
- Geographic distribution assessment of Borrelia spp.
Main Results:
- Candidatus Borrelia fainii, a New World relapsing fever pathogen, was identified in a Myotis bat from eastern China.
- This represents the first detection of this bacterium outside the Americas.
- The finding expands the known geographic range of this pathogen.
Conclusions:
- Candidatus Borrelia fainii poses a potential zoonotic risk in China.
- The geographic distribution of Borrelia spp. is broader than previously understood.
- Surveillance for tick-borne relapsing fever in China should be enhanced.
