Host conservation through their parasites: molecular surveillance of vector-borne microorganisms in bats using ectoparasitic bat flies.

ABSTRACT: Most vertebrates host a wide variety of haematophagous parasites, which may play an important role in the transmission of vector-borne microorganisms to hosts. Surveillance is usually performed by collecting blood and/or tissue samples from vertebrate hosts. There are multiple methods to obtain samples, which can be stored for decades if properly kept. However, blood sampling is considered an invasive method and may possibly be harmful to the sampled individual. In this study, we investigated the use of ectoparasites as a tool to acquire molecular information about the presence and diversity of infectious microorganism in host populations. We tested the presence of three distinct vector-borne microorganisms in both bat blood and bat flies: Bartonella bacteria, malaria-like Polychromophilus

SUBMITTER: Szentivanyi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7731914 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature