Diversity of Bartonella genotypes in Richardson's ground squirrel Populations

The diversity and dynamics of Bartonella genotypes found in wild Richardson's ground squirrels (RGS), Spermophilus richardsonii were monitored at multiple sites in Saskatchewan, Canada from 2002 to 2004. Based on sequence analysis of a portion of the Bartonella citrate synthase (gltA) gene, four different genotypes were detected in 233 isolates from 176 animals. The majority (87%) of sequences were identified as genotype H, with genotypes I, J, and K accounting for 8%, 4%, and 1% of sequences, respectively. Only one animal was concurrently infected with multiple Bartonella genotypes. Of 23 animals sampled four times or more, 26% were never infected with Bartonella. Of 32 RGS infected with Bartonella at first capture and then sampled again the following month, 50% were infected with the same Bartonella genotype, 41% were no longer infected, and 9% were infected with a different Bartonella genotype in the subsequent sample. The diversity of Bartonella genotypes varied among sites. At one site almost all RGS were infected with genotype H in September, and up to 60% of the same population was infected with genotype I the following spring. We compare our results with previous studies of Bartonella infections in rodents and discuss possible explanations for the observed differences.