Molecular evidence of Bartonella spp. in free-living opossums
(Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) from peri-urban Atlantic Forest fragments
of Brazil
Abstract
Many emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic and transmitted by an
arthropod vector; thus, the Global One Health perspective is necessary
for a better understanding of these diseases. Bartonellosis, one of
those emerging infectious diseases, is caused by bacteria of the genus
Bartonella, and can have different clinical manifestations in humans and
animals. Opossums and their ectoparasites have been linked to
human-wildlife conflicts. Knowing this, we aimed to evaluate infection
by Bartonella spp. in free-living opossums seized or rescued from
Atlantic Forest biome of Rio de Janeiro (southeastern Brazil). Whole
blood was obtained from seven Didelphis aurita and eight D. albiventris,
and DNA was assessed by conventional and quantitative polymerase chain
reactions (PCR and qPCR). Positivity was achieved in 40.0% (PCR) and
46.7% (qPCR) of the samples, revealing, possibly for the first time,
the presence of Bartonella spp. DNA in opossums from peri-urban areas of
Atlantic Forest biome. Studies should continue, in order to elucidate
synanthropic mammals importance in bartonellosis epidemiology.