Molecular Survey of Anaplasmataceae Agents and Coxiellaceae in Non-Hematophagous Bats and Associated Ectoparasites from Brazil

The Anaplasmataceae family (order Rickettsiales) encompasses obligately intracellular bacteria of the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Neorickettsia. Together with Coxiella burnetii (Coxiellaceae family, order Legionellales), these represent important causative agents diseases in humans animals. scarcity studies that investigated occurrence bats their associated ectoparasites, emphasizes need to achieve a better understanding role animals maintenance such bacteria. Herein, 418 samples (133 blood, 135 spleen, 150 ectoparasites) are collected from non-hematophagous belonging 12 species periurban area Campo Grande city, Mato Grosso do Sul state, midwestern Brazil. In results, 1.65% (7/418), 12.04% (50/418), 13.63% (57/418) positive PCR assays for Anaplasma spp. (16S rRNA gene), Ehrlichia (dsb Neorickettsia respectively. detected one (5.26%) Ornithodoros hasei tick larva. is 14% bat flies (represented by Megistopoda aranea, Trichobius costalimai, Strebla hertigi), 6% larvae (O. hasei), 12% Spinturnicidae mites Periglischrus sp., P. torrealbai, acutisternus), 38% Macronyssidae (Steatonyssuss sp.). obtained sequences observed be similar phagocytophilum (97.42–97.6% identified), minasensis (96.73–100% risticii (96.7–100% findlayensis (95.07–100% identified) BLASTn analyses, closely related ruminantium phylogenetic analyses based on gltA gene. No (blood/spleen) qPCR assay C. IS1111 present work shows, first time, ectoparasites (ticks, mites, flies)