Molecular detection of Bartonella dromedarii-like in Microthoracius spp. (Phthiraptera: Microthoraciidae) associated with alpacas from the southern Andes of Peru.

Blood-sucking insects, such as lice, act as potential vectors of vector-borne pathogens. The proposed study aimed to diagnose molecularly Bartonella sp., an arthropod-borne bacterium in Microthoracius lice collected from alpacas in Peru. Ninety-six lice of the Microthoracius genus were collected from alpaca crias from the Quenamari and Chillihua communities from Cuzco, Peru. All lice were molecularly analyzed by PCR protocols for Bartonella sp. Bartonella genus detection was performed by amplifying the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Bartonella species were identified amplifying the citrate synthase gene (gltA), the RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB), and the cell division protein gene (ftsZ). Bartonella DNA was detected in 33.3% (32/96) lice. M. mazzai had the highest Bartonella prevalence (50%; 10/20), followed by M. praelongiceps (28.9%; 22/76). Sequencing of PCR products of fragments of the gltA, rpoB, and ftsZ genes showed homology of 100%, 99.8-100%, and 99.4-99.9%, respectively, with Bartonella dromedarii. No statistical association was observed between B. dromedarii-like detection and louse species and communities. This study records for the first time the occurrence of Bartonella in alpaca lice and suggests that these insects may act as potential vectors for these pathogens, but further, more detailed studies are required. As Microthoracius lice are common camelid ectoparasites, future studies will be necessary to understand the situation of bartonellosis by B. dromedarii-like in domestic and wild South American camelids in various regions of the Peruvian Andes.