Prevalence, distribution and phylogenetic relationships of Bartonella in companion animals, wildlife and fleas from the Atlantic Forest ecoregion, Argentina

URDAPILLETA, MARA; PECH?MAY, ANGÉLICA; LAMATTINA, DANIELA; BURGOS, ELIANA FLORENCIA; GABRIELA GIULIANI, MAGALÍ; CORTÉS, MARÍA MICAELA; ESPINOZA CARNIGLIA, MARIO; SALOMÓN, OSCAR DANIEL; LARESCHI, MARCELA

MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2025

0269-283X

The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence and distribution of Bartonella species incompanion animals, wildlife and their associated fleas in different landscapes of the AtlanticForest ecoregion of Argentina, and to analyse the phylogenetic relationships between the Bartonellaspecies identified in this study in addition to those found in other regions available inGenBank. A total of 257 mammals, including rodents, opossums, dogs and cats, were examinedto detect the presence of Bartonella in both fleas and host tissues. The study revealed the presenceof Bartonella in rodent fleas (47.7%), opossum fleas (7.8%), rodent spleens (6.5%) and catblood (10%). Analysis of 15 gltA gene fragments revealed the existence of at least three differentgenotypes and eight haplotypes. Genetic analysis has established a close associationbetween Bartonella species from mammals and fleas in both the Atlantic Forest of Brazil andthe Costanera Sur Reserve in Argentina. Bartonella henselae (Regnery et al.) Brenner et al.(Hyphomicrobiales: Bartonellaceae) was identified in three rodent species: Rattus rattus (L.;Muridae), Akodon montensis Thomas (Cricetidae) and Calomys tener Winge (Cricetidae). Thismarks the first report of B. henselae in R. rattus in Argentina, as well as the initial documentationof its association with A. montensis and C. tener. Additionally, Bartonella clarridgeiae Lawson andCollins (Hyphomicrobiales: Bartonellaceae) was identified in feline blood and in fleas from dogsand cats. These findings are particularly relevant in the context of areas undergoing deforestation,where interactions between wild and domestic hosts increase the risk of zoonotic diseasetransmission. A One Health approach is crucial to understand transmission dynamics and toaddress the challenges posed by fleas as infection amplifiers and spillover phenomena. Thesepresent significant challenges for public health and biodiversity conservation.