Molecular Identification of Bartonella Species in Dogs and Arthropod Vectors in Hamedan and Kermanshah, Iran

Bartonella species are lesser-known pathogenic bacteria that infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Currently, out of 40 Bartonella species/subspecies, at least 17 are associated with clinical signs in humans and animals. However, despite the zoonotic importance of bartonellosis, there is limited information about prevalence and species infecting dogs and cats in Iran. The aim of this study was molecular identification of Bartonella species in dogs and arthropods infesting them in Hamedan and Kermanshah cities in the west of Iran. Blood genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from 100 dogs (45 from Hamedan and 55 from Kermanshah) and, of 25 Ctenocphalides canis fleas, six Pulex irritans fleas and 12 Rhipecephalus sanguineus ticks collected from nine infested dogs were examined for the presence of Bartonella species. Conventional PCR targeting fragments of ITS and rpoB genes was performed, and PCR-positive samples were sequenced bidirectionally and analyzed phylogenetically. Out of 100 dogs, 14 dogs (14%, ten from Hamedan and four from Kermanshah) were found infected with Bartonella species. Nucleotide sequencing confirmed the presence of four Bartonella species in the examined population i.e. Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Candidatus B. merieuxii in dogs. None of the examined fleas scored positive but one Rh. sanguineus tick from a blood-negative dog was infected with Bartonella DNA. Results of the present study showed the presence of different zoonotic Bartonella species in dogs of Hamedan and Kermanshah cities highlighting the importance of this vector-borne infection. Effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of pet and urban dogs and cats and successful chemoprophylaxis are suggested.