Bartonella spp. in Bats, Kenya

We report the presence and diversity of Bartonella spp in bats of 13 insectivorous and frugivorous species collected from various locations across Kenya Bartonella isolates were obtained from 23 Eidolon helvum 22 Rousettus aegyptiacus 4 Coleura afra 7 Triaenops persicus 1 Hipposideros commersoni and 49 Miniopterus spp bats Sequence analysis of the citrate synthase gene from the obtained isolates showed a wide assortment of Bartonella strains Phylogenetically isolates clustered in specific host bat species All isolates from R aegyptiacus C afra and T persicus bats clustered in separate monophyletic groups In contrast E helvum and Miniopterus spp bats harbored strains that clustered in several groups Further investigation is needed to determine whether these agents are responsible for human illnesses in the region