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Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa
Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2019.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2020
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| _version_ | 1867613450758258688 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Bastos, Armanda D.S. |
| author_browse | Bastos, Armanda D.S. |
| author_facet | Bastos, Armanda D.S. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2019. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/74516 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:20.940Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2020 |
| publishDateRange | 2020 |
| publishDateSort | 2020 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/74516 Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa Bastos, Armanda D.S. luiza.hatyoka@up.ac.za Hatyoka, Luiza Miyanda Bartonella Vector-borne disease Zoonotic potential Rodents GltA Phylogeny Spill-over PCR UCTD Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2019. Rodents have been reported to play a significant role as reservoirs of over 22 rodent-associated Bartonella species. In this study, we contrast prevalence and diversity of Bartonella infections in 377 small mammals, representative of three terrestrial rodent genera, namely Aethomys, Gerbilliscus and Rhabdomys and one subterranean mole-rat species (Bathyergus suillus). The latter was sampled in close proximity to an informal human settlement, whereas the afore-mentioned murid rodent genera were sampled across a range of landscapes inclusive of natural, agricultural, urban, peri-urban and rural settings, from three provinces (Free State, Gauteng and Western Cape) in South Africa. Molecular estimates of Bartonella infection rates were determined through multi-gene screening of DNA extracted from clinical samples, primarily heart and spleen. PCR assays targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) and NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) and/or beta subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase (rpoB) genes were used to ensure enhanced molecular estimates of Bartonella prevalence. Aethomys had the highest infection rate (86.7%), whereas Rhabdomys had the lowest (15%). Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the different primers sets used for Bartonella screening have different affinities to the different strains present in rodents from South Africa. Furthermore, the presence of Bartonella co-infections, confirmed through the presence of multiple peaks at 15% of the nucleotide sequences sites, ranged from 33.8% (in Aethomys) to 42.9% (in Gerbilliscus species) for the gltA gene region. For Aethomys ineptus, of the discrete Bartonella lineages recovered, one was closely related to zoonotic B. elizabethae. The latter species, which is associated with Rattus hosts worldwide and has been linked to cases of human endocarditis, suggests spillover from invasive to indigenous rodents. This is supported by previous studies indicating that indigenous Micaelamys namaquensis, a highly adaptable species, which like Aethomys is capable of utilizing natural and modified landscapes also hosts B. elizabethae-related lineages. Of potential public health importance, Bathyergus suillus were shown to be infected with a zoonotic Bartonella species, B. rochalimae. Our results further indicate that the level of anthropogenic transformation is significantly correlated with Bartonella prevalence, with Rhabdomys sampled from rural settings in the Western Cape Province having infection rates of 36% versus 0% in a nearby urban setting. This study also uncovered high levels of strain diversity in members of the Gerbilliscus cryptic species complex, sampled from an agricultural setting. The overall Bartonella PCR-positivity rate was 67.5 % and the gltA gene phylogeny confirmed the presence of six discrete Bartonella gerbil-specific lineages (I-VI). Lineages I and II clustered with Bartonella strains identified previously in G. leucogaster sampled from Sandveld nature reserves in the Free State Province South Africa, whereas lineages III-VI comprised of lineages that were restricted to either G. leucogaster or to G. brantsii, indicative of host-specificity. From the findings of this study, it is clear that the public health importance of the Bartonella species present in indigenous rodents warrants further investigation as at least two species, with known zoonotic potential (B. elizabethae and B. rochalimae) were shown to be present in rodents sampled in close proximity to human settlements. This research was made possible through the financial support from the (AZD-IRT), CDC Co-Ag 5 NU2GGH001874-02-00 and through the NRF incentive and SARChI PI funding awarded to ADSB. Zoology and Entomology PhD (Zoology) Unrestricted 2020-05-07T16:42:17Z 2020-05-07T16:42:17Z 2020 2019 Thesis Hatyoka, LM 2019, Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa, PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd http://hdl.handle.net/2263/74516 S2020 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/74516 en © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | Bartonella Vector-borne disease Zoonotic potential Rodents GltA Phylogeny Spill-over PCR UCTD Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa |
| title | Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa |
| title_full | Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa |
| title_fullStr | Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa |
| title_short | Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella in small mammals from southern Africa |
| title_sort | molecular detection and characterization of bartonella in small mammals from southern africa |
| topic | Bartonella Vector-borne disease Zoonotic potential Rodents GltA Phylogeny Spill-over PCR UCTD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/74516 |