Molecular detection of Leptospira and Bartonella in Mastomys natalensis and its ectoparasites in Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract Rodents play an important role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases. This study investigated the prevalence of Leptospira spp. and Bartonella spp. in Mastomys natalensis and its ectoparasites (fleas and mites) in selected villages of Morogoro, Tanzania. Mastomys natalensis were captured live in fallow habitats using Sherman® traps and anesthetized using Halothane. Blood samples were obtained from the retroorbital sinus Ectoparasites were removed from the fur using a hard brush and preserved in 70 % ethanol. Real time–qPCR was used to detect Leptospira spp. and Bartonella spp. from Mastomys natalensis blood and ectoparasites respectively. The study revealed a relatively larger number of males than females captures. Leptospira spp. was demonstrated in one out of 100 Mastomys natalensis. For Bartonella spp., prevalence of (14 %) was recorded in mites with a higher proportion in mites from adult male Mastomys natalensis than females. Upon Sanger sequencing, four positive samples showed a complete sequence of the ITS gene. Indicating that all samples belonged to Uncultured Bartonella. Low prevalence of Leptospira spp. and a high prevalence of Bartonella spp. was observed in Mastomys natalensis. Further exploration of rodent pathogens is recommended to raise awareness of the role of commensal rodents in disease transmission via their ectoparasites.