Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella spp. in pet cats and dogs in Shenzhen, China

Genomic detection and phylogenetic analysis of Bartonella quintana in pet cats from Urmia City, Northwest Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and genetic characteristics of Bartonella quintana in pet cats from Urmia City, located in the northwest of Iran. Blood samples were collected from 200 cats, and their age, gender, and breed were noted. Nested-PCR and sequencing were used to identify B. quintana in positive samples, and the ftsZ gene sequences were analyzed using BioEdit software. The gene sequence obtained in this study exhibited 100.00 % similarity to reference sequences in the GenBank® database, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA11. The results revealed that 15 % of the cats (30 out of 200 blood samples) tested positive for the B. quintana gene, with a 95 % confidence interval of 10.71 % to 20.61 %.

Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Resistance Analysis of Canine Oral and Intestinal Escherichia coli Resistant to Colistin

In recent years, the antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli has gradually developed into a global problem. These resistant bacteria could be transmitted to humans through animal feces in the environment or direct contact with pets, leading to a problem in bacterial treatment for humans and animals. Now, the antibiotic resistance of oral and intestinal microbiota from dog origins remains unclear in China. Therefore, this study first analyzed the current colistin resistance of oral and intestinal microbiota from dog origins in mainland China. A total of 536 samples were collected from dogs in mainland China and, respectively, cultured on the SS and MacConkey agar plate containing colistin (4 μg/mL) to obtain bacteria, and the antibiotic-resistance phenotype of Escherichia coli was investigated for nine antibiotics. Results showed that a total of 2259 colistin-resistant bacteria were isolated from samples and identified, and among them, the isolated rate of Escherichia coli (34.01%, 769/2259) was relatively higher than that of other bacteria. Subsequently, it was found that the resistance of these Escherichia coli was very severe by exploring its resistance to different antibiotics, particularly to three common antibiotics in a clinic which were ceftriaxone, ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, with the resistance rates of 60.60% (466/769), 57.22% (440/769), and 53.06% (408/769), respectively. Moreover, the simultaneous resistance of Escherichia coli to one or more antibiotics was determined, and 69.96% (538/769) strains have defined the resistance to both two or more antibiotics, and even 13 of Escherichia coli strains that were resistant to all nine antibiotics, indicating that the Escherichia coli from dog origins has severe antibiotic resistance in the clinic. In conclusion, this study guided the use of antibiotics and could draw attention to antibiotic resistance in veterinary clinical treatment for animals in the future.

Bartonella spp. in households with cats: Risk factors for infection in cats and human exposure

The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence of Bartonella spp. per household in cats and the risk factors for Bartonella spp. positivity in cats and their owners from Valdivia, Chile. A total of 464 cats (distributed within 324 households) and 326 humans (control group [n = 112] and cat owner [n = 214]) distributed in 262 households were sampled. From the cat owners (n = 214), 128 humans were in households where the cat was also sampled, totaling 84 households with dual sampling. Real-time PCR (qPCR) was used for Bartonella spp. detection in blood from cats and humans, and immunofluorescent immunoassay (IFA) anti-Bartonella henselae was performed in human serum samples. Out of the total of 324 households, 20.43% presented at least one Bartonella positive cat. From the households with dual sampling, 29.7% (25/84) presented at least one qPCR-Bartonella spp. positive cat. However, Bartonella DNA was not amplified in humans, and in 7.3% (6/82) of the households was found at least one of the cat's owners exposed to B. henselae. Cats younger than one year (Odds Ratio (OR) = 5.3), non-neutered (OR 3.46), sampled at home (OR 5.82), and with improper application of tick/flea control products (OR 3.13) showed a higher risk for Bartonella spp. presence. Humans with occupational exposure involving animal contact, were more likely to exhibit B. henselae seropositivity (OR 7.5). Bartonella spp. was present in the cats a moderate number of households, but Bartonella DNA was not detected in owners' blood, inferring that there is a low risk of recent human infection in the studied population.

Molecular detection and identification of Bartonella species in cats from Hamedan and Kermanshah, Western Iran

Bartonella species are emerging vector-borne zoonotic pathogens which infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Cats are the primary reservoir hosts for several zoonotic Bartonella spp., the most common being B. henselae the causative agent of cat scratch disease. Despite the important role of cats in the epidemiology of bartonellosis, there is limited information about the prevalence and species infecting cats in Iran. The aim of present study was molecular detection and identification of Bartonella species in cats from two western provinces Hamedan and Kermanshah. From December 2018 to February 2021, 87 cats (n = 26 from Hamedan, n = 61 from Kermanshah) were examined clinically, their bodies were searched for collection of ectoparasites, and cephalic or saphenous blood specimens were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood specimens and conventional PCRs targeting the rpoB, and ITS regions of Bartonella spp. were performed. Positive samples were sequenced and analysed phylogenetically. Bartonella DNA was detected in 11/87 cats (12.64 %). Sequencing results revealed the presence of B. henselae in cats from Hamedan, and B. clarridgeiae and B. henselae in cats from Kermanshah. A statistical association between cat origin and the prevalence of Bartonella spp. was observed in the studied population. This study confirms for the first time the circulation of Bartonella spp. in cats in two western Iranian provinces. Prevention strategies e.g. ectoparasites control, and regular examination of pet and urban cats are suggested for minimising Bartonella infection in cats and subsequently in humans.

Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Bartonella in Rodents in Urban Areas of Guangzhou, Southern China

Bartonella spp. are gram-negative bacteria that can infect a wide spectrum of mammals. Rodents are considered to be the natural reservoir of many Bartonella species that are transmitted by various blood-sucking arthropods. The close contact between rodents and humans in urban areas increased the chance of transmitting rodent-borne Bartonella to humans. Investigation of the epidemiological characteristics of Bartonella infection in rodents is of great significance for the prevention and control of human Bartonellosis. In this study, rodents were captured to monitor the prevalence of Bartonella in urban areas of Guangzhou city. Six official or candidate species of Bartonella, including two confirmed zoonotic species, were detected with an overall prevalence of 6.4% in rodents captured herein. In addition, Rattus norvegicus was the predominant host species for Bartonella infection, and B. queenslandensis was the dominant species circulating in rodents in these areas. These results provide insights into the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella species circulating in rodents in the urban areas of Guangzhou, and also urged the surveillance of rodent-associated Bartonella species in these areas.

Occurrence and bacterial loads of Bartonella and haemotropic Mycoplasma species in privately owned cats and dogs and their fleas from East and Southeast Asia

Bartonella spp. and haemoplasmas are pathogens of veterinary and medical interest with ectoparasites mainly involved in their transmission. This study aimed at molecular detection of Bartonella spp. and haemoplasmas in cats (n = 93) and dogs (n = 96), and their related fleas (n = 189) from countries in East and Southeast Asia. Ctenocephalides felis was the dominant flea species infesting both cats (97.85%) and dogs (75%) followed by Ctenocephalides orientis in dogs (18.75%) and rarely in cats (5.2%). Bartonella spp. DNA was only detected in blood samples of flea‐infested cats (21.51%) (p < .0001, OR = 27.70) with Bartonella henselae more frequently detected than Bartonella clarridgeiae in cat hosts (15.05%, 6.45%) and their associated fleas (17.24%, 13.79%). Out of three Bartonella‐positive fleas from dogs, two Ct. orientis fleas carried Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Bartonella clarridgeiae, while the 3rd flea (Ct. felis) carried Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii. Felines represented a risk factor for Bartonella spp. infections, where fleas collected from cats (32.25%) presented an increased likelihood for Bartonella spp. occurrence (p < .0001, OR = 14.76) than those from dogs (3.13%). Moreover, when analysing infectious status, higher Bartonella spp. DNA loads were detected in fleas from bacteraemic cats compared to those from non‐bacteraemic ones (p < .05). The haemoplasma occurrence was 16.13% (15/93) and 4.17% (4/96) in cat and dog blood samples from different countries (i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand), with cats more at risk of infection (p < .01, OR = 5.96) than dogs. Unlike Bartonella spp., there was no evidence for flea involvement in the hemoplasmas' transmission cycle, thus supporting the hypothesis of non‐vectorial transmission for these pathogens. In conclusion, client‐owned cats and dogs living in East and Southeast Asia countries are exposed to vector‐borne pathogens with fleas from cats playing a key role in Bartonella spp. transmission, thus posing a high risk of infection for humans sharing the same environment.

Detection of zoonotic Bartonella species in ticks and fleas parasitizing free-ranging cats and dogs residing in temples of Bangkok, Thailand

Bartonellosis is a vector-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic bacteria known as Bartonella spp. The potential vectors that transmit Bartonella spp. are fleas, ticks, sand flies, and lice. Several Bartonella spp. cause diseases in humans; however, there is few molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in vectors in Thailand. The objectives of this study were to investigate Bartonella spp. and to evaluate the spatial distribution of Bartonella spp. prevalence in the ectoparasites parasitizing free-ranging cats and dogs in temple clusters of Bangkok, Thailand. In total, 343 ectoparasites were studied to extract their genomic DNA. Species of all specimens were identified using an identification key and conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) was applied to confirm flea and tick species. Extracted DNA samples were processed using primers that targeted the gltA, rpoB, ftsZ, and ribC genes of Bartonella spp. Then, PCR-positive amplicons were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Recorded data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and the odds ratio. Area data were analyzed and a prevalence distribution map was plotted. The major parasitizing ticks and fleas in this study were Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in ectoparasites was 7.00%. The gltA amplicons revealed the presence of B. henselae (4.78%) and B. clarridgeiae (4.78%) in C. felis, and B. koehlerae (1.25%) and B. phoceensis (1.25%) in R. sanguineus. Bartonella DNA was encountered in 16/39 (41.03%) districts and 28.57% of the temple clusters. Bang Khun Thian district had the highest positive proportion and Bang Bon district showed co-evidence of different Bartonella species. In addition, the intervening zones were a risk factor of Bartonella (p < 0.05), and the distribution map showed a scattered pattern of Bartonella-positive clusters. Finally, fleas showed to be important vector reservoirs for Bartonella spp., especially zoonotic species, however, experimental studies are needed to prove the Bartonella transmission in ticks.

Hemotropic Mycoplasma and Bartonella Species Diversity in Free-Roaming Canine and Feline from Luanda, Angola

Free-roaming dogs and cats represent potential reservoirs for zoonotic vector-borne pathogens shedding to the human population. Given the health impact of these pathogens, we searched free-roaming dogs and cats included in an animal population control program from Luanda, Angola, for Bartonella and hemotropic mycoplasma infection. We report the detection of Bartonella henselae (2/66; 3%), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (5/66; 7.5%) and Mycoplasma haemofelis (1/66; 1.5%) in cats. One dog was found positive for Mycoplasma haemocanis (1/20; 5%). This is the first report of Bartonella henselae infections in stray cats and of hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats and dogs from Angola. Despite the relatively small sample size, our results sustain the hypothesis of uncontrolled circulation of these agents in highly mobile synanthropic animal populations of Luanda. Population and vector control could contribute to reducing the likelihood for animal-to-animal and animal-to-human transmission.

Prevalence of hemoplasmas and Bartonella species in client-owned cats in Beijing and Shanghai, China

A year-round molecular epidemiological survey (2017 to 2018) was conducted on three hemoplasmas and two Bartonella species with zoonotic potential in client-owned cats in Beijing and Shanghai. Among 668 specimens, the overall hemoplasma-positive rate was 4.9% (3.4% for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, 0.9% for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 1.2% for Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis). The overall Bartonella-positive rate was 8.5% (4.8% for B. henselae and 4.3% for B. clarridgeiae). Age, breed, ectoparasiticide use and stray history, but not city, season and gender, were significantly associated with the positive rates of one or more pathogens. This is also the first report on the prevalence of Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis in cats in China.

Molecular Detection of Bartonella spp. and Hematological Evaluation in Domestic Cats and Dogs from Bangkok, Thailand

(1) Background: Bartonella spp. are Gram-negative, facultative, intracellular bacteria transmitted by hematophagous insects. Several species cause zoonotic diseases such as cat-scratch disease. Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae are the main species found in Thailand, however, there have been few studies on Bartonella spp. In addition, the hematological evaluation of Bartonella-infected animals is limited in Thailand. The aims of this study were prevalence investigation and hematological evaluation of Bartonella-infected dogs and cats residing in Bangkok, Thailand. (2) Methods: In total, 295 dogs and 513 cats were molecularly evaluated to detect Bartonella spp. using PCR with primers targeting the partial gltA, rpoB, ftsZ, ribC, and groEL genes. In total, 651 domestic animals were evaluated for hematological parameters compared between Bartonella-positive and Bartonella-negative animals. (3) Results: Overall, the prevalence of Bartonella spp. was 1.61% which was found only in free-ranging cats (2.83%). Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae were confirmed from a concatenated phylogenetic tree of partial gltA and ribC genes, with 100% bootstrapping replication. For other housekeeping gene sequences, mixed infection was expected from the amplicons of rpoB, ftsZ, and groEL. Importantly, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was significantly increased in Bartonella-positive cats. (4) Conclusions: We suggest that B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae are important species and are still circulating in domestic animals, especially cats. The evaluation of blood parameters, especially a raised MCV, should be of concern in Bartonella infection in asymptomatic cats. Additionally, the knowledge of how to prevent Bartonella-related diseases should be promoted with people in at-risk situations.

Molecular evidence of Babesia in pet cats in mainland China

BACKGROUND

Babesia spp. are important emerging tick-borne protozoan hemoparasites, and pose a great impact on companion animals. Canine babesiosis has been well described worldwide, while felis babesiosis has primarily been reported from South Africa. To the best of our knowledge, Babesia spp. infections in dogs have been well elucidated in pet dog population in China, no report about Babesia spp. infection in cat population in mainland China.

RESULTS

In this study, a total of 203 blood samples were collected from pet cats in Shenzhen city, and detected the presence of Babesia spp. with nested-PCR. Sequence comparison based on the 18S rRNA gene and ITS region revealed that three cats (1.48%) were infected with Babesia. vogeli. Notably, the sequences of ITS region obtained in this study shared the highest nucleotide identity with the sequence of B. vogeli strain isolated in cat from Taiwan.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first report about babesiosis in domestic cats, and also provides molecular evidence of Babesia spp. infection in cat in mainland China. The data present in this study suggest B. vogeli may be circulating in cat population in mainland China. Further study to investigate the epidemiology of Babesia infection in cat nationwide is warranted.