Bartonella rattaustraliani sp nov., Bartonella queenslandensis sp nov and Bartonella coopersplainsensis sp nov., identified in Australian rats

A total of 11 Bartonella isolates were recovered from the blood of Melomys, Uromys and Rattus species in Australia and were characterized using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene, ftsZ, gltA and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region sequences from the isolates indicated that they formed three sequence similarity groups that were distinct from one another and from the currently recognized Bartonella species. Phylogenetic analysis based on alignment of concatenated sequences inferred distinct evolutionary lineages for each of the three groups within the genus Bartonella. On the basis of these data, we propose the isolates be accommodated in three novel Bartonella species, namely Bartonella rattaustraliani sp. nov. (type strain AUST/NH4(T) =CIP 109051(T) =CCUG 52161(T) =CSUR B609(T)), Bartonella queenslandensis sp. nov. (type strain AUST/NH12(T) =CIP 109057(T) =CCUG 52167(T) =CSUR B617(T)) and Bartonella coopersplainsensis sp. nov. (type strain AUST/NH20(T) =CIP 109064(T) =CCUG 52174(T) =CSUR B619(T)).