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Molecular characterization of haemoparasites infecting bats (Microchiroptera) in Cornwall, UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2005

R. CONCANNON ,
K. WYNN-OWEN ,
V. R. SIMPSON  and
R. J. BIRTLES
R. CONCANNON
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE
K. WYNN-OWEN
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE
V. R. SIMPSON
Affiliation:
The Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre, Jollys Bottom Farm, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall TR4 8PB
R. J. BIRTLES
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE
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Abstract

The presence of haemoparasites from the Order Piroplasmida and the genera Bartonella and Trypanosoma was assessed in the blood of 60 bats, belonging to 7 species, inhabiting sites across Cornwall in southwest England. DNA extracted from macerated heart tissue was incorporated into taxon-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and amplification products were sequenced as a means of identifying, or assigning an identity, to detected haemoparasites. A Piroplasmida species was detected in 6 Pipistrellus spp., whereas Bartonella infections were detected in 5 bats belonging to 4 different species. Trypanosoma dionisii was detected in 1 Pipistrellus spp. Phylogenetic inference from alignment of a partial 18S rRNA-encoding gene sequence of the pipistrelle-associated Piroplasmida species with homologous sequences available for other members of the Order indicated that this organism was unique but specifically related to members of the genus Babesia, a phylogeny that would be in keeping with the organism being Babesia vesperuginis. Alignment of partial citrate synthase gene sequences from the bat-associated bartonellae revealed 5 distinct genotypes that were probably derived from 2 distinct Bartonella species. The study demonstrates the utility of molecular methods for detecting haemoparasites in dead bats and provides, for the first time, tangible identities for bat-associated Babesia and Bartonella species.

Keywords

HaemoparasitePiroplasmidaTrypanosomaBabesiaBartonellaMicrochiropterabats
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 131 , Issue 4 , October 2005 , pp. 489 - 496
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

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