Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine Bartonella prevalence and diversity in Namaqua
rock mice, Micaelamys namaquensis, a species endemic to South Africa, which can attain
pest status. A total of 100 heart samples collected monthly from March to December were
screened for Bartonella genome presence using three primer sets targeting the citrate
synthase (gltA) gene, the NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) gene and the RNA
polymerase b-subunit-encoding gene (rpoB). An overall prevalence of 44% was obtained,
with no statistically significant differences or correlations between infection rates and
rodent sex, month of capture or season of capture. Phylogenetic analysis of 34
unambiguous gltA sequences revealed the presence of three discrete Bartonella lineages
in M. namaquensis, one of which corresponds to Bartonella elizabethae, a species with
known zoonotic potential.
