Bartonella Species Detected in the Plateau Pikas（Ochotona curzoiae） from Qinghai Plateau in China

Bartonella species can infect a variety ofmammalian hosts and cause a broad spectrum ofdiseases in humans, but there have been no reportsof Bartonella infection in Ochotonidae. This is thefirst study to detect Bartonella in plateau pikas inthe Qinghai plateau, providing baseline data for therisk assessment of human Bartonella infection inthis area. We obtained 15 Bartonella strains from79 pikas in Binggou and Maixiu areas of Qinghaiwith a positive rate of 18.99%. Based on thephylogenetic analysis of the Bartonella citratesynthase （gltA） gene sequences, most strains wereclosely related to B. taylorii （3/15） and B. grahamii（12/15）. The latter is a pathogenic strain in humans.Our results suggest that a corresponding preventionand control strategy should be taken intoconsideration in the Qinghai province.