Trends in Bacterial Pathogens of Bats: Global Distribution and Knowledge Gaps

Authors: Tamara Szentivanyi, Clifton McKee, Gareth Jones, Jefrey T. Foster

Year: 2023

Journal: Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

DOI: 10.1155/2023/9285855

Summary

This paper describes the distribution of potentially zoonotic bacterial genera in bats using published presence-absence data.

Key Findings

• Bartonella, Leptospira, and Mycoplasma are the most frequently detected bacterial genera in bats.
• Other bacterial genera such as Anaplasma, Brucella, Borrelia, Coxiella, Ehrlichia, Francisella, Neorickettsia, and Rickettsia are occasionally found in bats.
• Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Pteropodidae are most frequently reported as hosts of bacterial pathogens. However, at least one bacterial genus was confirmed in all 15 bat families tested.

Methodology

• Study Type: Review
• Geographic Focus: 58 countries and four overseas departments and island states

Topics

Epidemiology, Clinical, Virology

Relevance

The paper highlights the need for further research on potentially zoonotic bacteria in bats to better understand their distribution and potential public health implications.

Source

View the entire paper: File:TBED2023-9285855.pdf