Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii, a potential new zoonotic Bartonella species in canids from Iraq

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2012;6(9):e1843. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001843. Epub 2012 Sep 27.

Abstract

Bartonellae are emerging vector-borne pathogens infecting erythrocytes and endothelial cells of various domestic and wild mammals. Blood samples were collected from domestic and wild canids in Iraq under the United States Army zoonotic disease surveillance program. Serology was performed using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and B. bovis. Overall seroprevalence was 47.4% in dogs (n = 97), 40.4% in jackals (n = 57) and 12.8% in red foxes (n = 39). Bartonella species DNA was amplified from whole blood and representative strains were sequenced. DNA of a new Bartonella species similar to but distinct from B. bovis, was amplified from 37.1% of the dogs and 12.3% of the jackals. B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii was also amplified from one jackal and no Bartonella DNA was amplified from foxes. Adjusting for age, the odds of dogs being Bartonella PCR positive were 11.94 times higher than for wild canids (95% CI: 4.55-31.35), suggesting their role as reservoir for this new Bartonella species. This study reports on the prevalence of Bartonella species in domestic and wild canids of Iraq and provides the first detection of Bartonella in jackals. We propose Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii for this new Bartonella species. Most of the Bartonella species identified in sick dogs are also pathogenic for humans. Therefore, seroprevalence in Iraqi dog owners and bacteremia in Iraqi people with unexplained fever or culture negative endocarditis requires further investigation as well as in United States military personnel who were stationed in Iraq. Finally, it will also be essential to test any dog brought back from Iraq to the USA for presence of Bartonella bacteremia to prevent any accidental introduction of a new Bartonella species to the New World.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bartonella / classification*
  • Bartonella / genetics
  • Bartonella / isolation & purification*
  • Bartonella Infections / veterinary*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA, Bacterial / blood
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Intergenic / chemistry
  • DNA, Intergenic / genetics
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Foxes
  • Iraq
  • Jackals
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA, Intergenic
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
  • RNA polymerase beta subunit

Associated data

  • GENBANK/JX073031

Grants and funding

The project was funded under a US Army contract (USAMRAA/WRAIR Contract Number: W81XWH10P0215). The funders had no role in study design, data collection* and analysis, or preparation of the manuscript. Decision to publish was approved by Public Affairs and Dr. McMillan-Cole supervisors (e-mail of Dr. McMillan-Cole of April 19, 2012). * Sample collection was performed by the military under the supervision of United States Army zoonotic disease surveillance program.