Molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from the Brazilian Amazon
Paulo Vitor Cadina Arantes1, Israel de Souza Pinto2, Daniel Antônio Braga Lee1
1Vector-Borne Bioagents Laboratory - FCAV/UNESP (Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
Bartonellosis refers to a group of diseases caused by alpha-proteobacteria from the genus Bartonella, which are typically vector-borne pathogens responsible for emerging and reemerging infections in humans and animals. The transmission of Bartonella has primarily been associated with a wide variety of hematophagous arthropods, including sand flies. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Bartonella spp. DNA in 297 non-engorged female sand fly specimens (Diptera: Psychodidae) collected in the Amazonian National Park, state of Pará, Brazil. We documented a 12.6 % (32/253) infection rate of Bartonella spp. among the sampled sand flies, using a quantitative real-time PCR targeting the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Further molecular characterization was performed using conventional PCR assays targeting seven molecular markers (rpoB, ribC, nuoG, pap-31, groEL, gltA, and ftsZ). Phylogenetic inference grouped the two Bartonella spp. gltA sequences, detected in Psychodopygus llanosmartinsi and Psychodopygus series Chagasi, in the same clade as Bartonella ancashensis, Bartonella bacilliformis, and ancient lineages of Bartonella spp. previously detected in sand flies from Mexico and Brazil. The role of phlebotomine sand flies in the transmission of Bartonella spp. among bats and the zoonotic potential of the detected genotypes nested in B. ancashensis/B. bacilliformis clade should be further investigated.
Insights
Bartonella bacteria DNA was detected in Amazonian sand flies, indicating their potential role in transmitting these emerging infectious agents. Further research is needed to understand bat infections and zoonotic risks.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Bartonellosis is caused by Bartonella bacteria, transmitted by vectors like sand flies, leading to emerging infectious diseases in humans and animals.
- Sand flies are implicated in Bartonella transmission, necessitating investigation into their role in specific geographic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect Bartonella species DNA in sand flies from the Amazonian National Park, Brazil.
- To characterize the detected Bartonella strains using molecular markers and phylogenetic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Collected 297 non-engorged female sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Pará, Brazil.
- Utilized quantitative real-time PCR targeting the 16S-23S rRNA ITS region for Bartonella detection.
- Performed conventional PCR and phylogenetic analysis on seven molecular markers (rpoB, ribC, nuoG, pap-31, groEL, gltA, ftsZ).
Main Results:
- Detected Bartonella spp. DNA in 12.6% (32/253) of the sampled sand flies.
- Identified two Bartonella spp. gltA sequences in Psychodopygus llanosmartinsi and Psychodopygus series Chagasi.
- Phylogenetic analysis placed these sequences within a clade containing Bartonella ancashensis, Bartonella bacilliformis, and previously identified ancient Bartonella lineages.
Conclusions:
- Phlebotomine sand flies in the Amazon harbor Bartonella DNA, confirming their role as potential vectors.
- The detected Bartonella genotypes, phylogenetically linked to B. ancashensis/B. bacilliformis, warrant further investigation for bat infections and zoonotic potential.
