Journal of Veterinary Laboratory Research

Journal of Veterinary Laboratory Research

Bartonella in wildlife: ecology, molecular diversity, transmission cycles, and one-health implications.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Department of Microbiology and Food hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
10.22075/jvlr.2026.41524.1228
Abstract
Bartonella are facultative Gram-negative intracellular microorganisms transmitted by blood-sucking arthropods and causing a wide range of diseases in humans, from self-limiting infections to severe systemic diseases. The role of wildlife animals as natural reservoirs is pivotal in maintaining the genetic diversity and epidemiological stability of these pathogens. This review article employs a one-health approach to comprehensively review the molecular biology, adaptation mechanisms, host-vector-environment dynamics, and diagnostic methods of Bartonella in wild populations. The findings indicate that rodents, bats, small carnivores, and wild birds are specialized reservoirs of certain Bartonella species. It is evident that climate change, habitat destruction, and increased human-wildlife interactions have had a profound impact on ecological balance, significantly increasing the risk of emerging species with zoonotic potential. However, the management of these pathogens is encumbered by several challenges, including limitations of laboratory cultivation, heterogeneity of molecular protocols, paucity of long-term monitoring in remote ecosystems, and absence of integration of veterinary and health data. This review underlines the necessity for future research in the field of bartonellosis to encompass the development of standardized diagnostic methods, the application of whole genome sequencing in the natural environment, predictive modelling of distribution, and the implementation of integrated health surveillance networks with the participation of local communities and the protection of biodiversity. The present article provides a scientific and analytical framework for researchers, veterinarians, and health policymakers.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 24 August 2026