Trypanosoma madeirae sp. n.: A species of the clade T. cruzi associated with the neotropical common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus

Abstract

Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed the growing diversity of bat trypanosomes. Here, 14 isolates from blood samples of the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus (Phyllostomidae) from Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil, were cultivated, and morphologically and molecularly characterized. All isolates represent a novel species named Trypanosoma madeirae n. sp. positioned in the Neobat lineage of the clade T. cruzi. The Neobat lineage also comprises closely related trypanosomes of clades Neotropic 1, 2 and 3 from diverse phyllostomid species. Trypanosomes of Neotropic 1, found in Trachops cirrhosus and Artibeus jamaicensis (phyllostomids), likely represent a different species or genotype closely related to T. madeirae. Consistent with its phylogenetic positioning, T. madeirae differs from Trypanosoma cruzi in morphology of both epimastigote and trypomastigote culture forms and does not infect Triatoma infestans. Similar to its closest relatives of Neobat lineage, T. madeirae was unable to develop within mammalian cells. To date, PCR-surveys on archived blood/liver samples unveiled T. madeirae exclusively in D. rotundus from Southern to Northern Brazil. The description of a new species of bat trypanosome associated with vampire bats increases the repertoire of trypanosomes infecting D. rotundus, currently comprised of Trypanosoma cruzi, T. cruzi marinkellei, Trypanosoma dionisii, Trypanosoma rangeli, Trypanosoma pessoai, and Trypanosoma madeirae.

Genetic diversity ofBartonellaspp. in vampire bats from Brazil

“…was associated with large male D. rotundus bats (Becker, Bergner, et al, ). Therefore, we propose that the unstructured distribution of Bartonella genotypes may stem from the flow of male bats carrying Bartonella spp., in a process similar to that was hypothetized for Trypanosoma madeirae (Barros, Lima, Schubach, & Teixeira, ).…”

Biological and Genetic Heterogeneity in Trypanosoma dionisii Isolates from Hematophagous and Insectivorous Bats

“…The three isolates of T. dionisii investigated (M1011, M1014, and M1015) were obtained in a study in different municipalities of Rio de Janeiro, where 22 samples of trypanosomatids were isolated by hemoculture of 84 bats [ 32 ]. Three samples were characterized as T. dionisii and 19 as T. madeirae [ 33 ]. Interestingly, we observed that T. dionisii and T. madeirae [ 33 ] were present in the same colony and were infecting the same bat species, Desmodus rotundus (data not shown).…”

“…Three samples were characterized as T. dionisii and 19 as T. madeirae [ 33 ]. Interestingly, we observed that T. dionisii and T. madeirae [ 33 ] were present in the same colony and were infecting the same bat species, Desmodus rotundus (data not shown). However, although co-infection is common among bats in nature, it was not detected in this study, probably because the isolation and amplification methods used for the culture of parasites exert a selective force, owing to which mixed infections are not frequently detected.…”

Diversity and Epidemiology of Bat Trypanosomes: A One Health Perspective

“…In addition to bugs, sand flies that bite bats have been implicated as trypanosome vectors, with Trypanosoma pessoai believed to be transmitted by Dipteran sp. [ 69 ]. It has been speculated that the T. pessoai flagellates detected in Phlebotomus vespertilionis are transmitted to the vertebrate host via contamination in superficial skin lesions or bite wounds, given the absence of metacyclic trypanosomes detected in the anterior station of the insect [ 107 ].…”