Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii , Neospora caninum and Encephalitozoon spp. in Vespertilionid Bats from Central Europe

• Published in: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Main Authors: Eva Bártová, Jiřina Marková, Jana Sedláčková, Hana Banďouchová, Karol Račka
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2023
• Subjects: insectivore; microsporidiosis; molecular methods; neosporosis; toxoplasmosis; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Chemistry; QD1-999; Hellem; Nyctalus noctula; Vespertilio murinus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24129887; https://doaj.org/article/750e69607f89439ebb8c65b4c925ebdd

Bats may carry various viruses and bacteria which can be harmful to humans, but little is known about their role as a parasitic source with zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to test wild bats for the presence of selected parasites: Toxoplasma gondii , Neospora caninum and microsporidia Encephalitozoon spp. In total, brain and small intestine tissues of 100 bats (52 Myotis myotis , 43 Nyctalus noctula and 5 Vespertilio murinus ) were used for the DNA isolation and PCR detection of the abovementioned agents. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected by real-time PCR in 1% of bats (in one male of M. myotis ), while all bats were negative for N. caninum DNA. Encephalitozoon spp. DNA was detected by nested PCR in 25% of bats, including three species (twenty-two M. myotis , two N. noctula and one V. murinus ). Positive samples were sequenced and showed homology with the genotypes Encephalitozoon cuniculi II and Encephalitozoon hellem 2C. This is the first study on wild vespertilionid bats from Central Europe and worldwide, with a relatively high positivity of Encephalitozoon spp. detected in bats.