Bartonella in bat flies from the Egyptian fruit bat in the Middle East.

In the family of fruit bats, Pteropodidae Gray, 1821, as in the third most diverse group of bats (Chiroptera), the bacterium of the genus Bartonella was detected in several species as well as in a few species of their insect ectoparasites in some tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Old World. The Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy, 1810), is one of the most widespread fruit bats, occurring between South Africa, Senegal, and Pakistan. In this bat species, Candidatus Bartonella rousetti has been detected in three African populations in Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia. This fruit bat, however, also occurs in the Palaearctic, an area isolating the species geographically and phylogenetically from the Afrotropical part of its distribution range. We screened the blood-sucking bat flies (family Nycteribiidae) from R. aegyptiacus for the presence of the Bartonella bacteria. A rich material of bat fly Eucampsipoda aegyptia (Macquart, 1850), a monoxenous ectoparasite of the Egyptian fruit bats, was collected at 26 localities in seven countries (Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) of the Middle East in 2007-2013. The DNA isolates from the bat flies were subjected to a three-marker (gltA, ssrA, and intergenic spacer region, ITS) multilocus sequence analysis. Based on the amplification of the fragment of ssrA gene by a real-time PCR, 65 E. aegyptia samples from 19 localities in all seven countries were positive for the bacteria. One to five Bartonella-positive individuals of E. aegyptia were collected per one individual of R. aegyptiacus. An analysis of the ITS and gltA genes indicated the presence of an uncultured Bartonella sp., belonging to the Cand. B. rousetti genogroup, identified from populations of the Egyptian fruit bat in Africa. These results support the hypothesis that Bartonella's diversity corresponds to its host's diversity (and phylogenetic structure). Specific lineages of pathogens are present in specific phylogenetic groups of bats.

First records of Secretargas transgariepinus (Argasidae) in Libya and Jordan: corrections of collection records and detection of microorganisms.

The primarily bat-associated argasid tick, Secretargas transgariepinus (White, 1846), is a member of the Afrotropical and southern Palaearctic fauna. Probably because of its secretive life style, little is known about this species and records of its collection are scant. Based on morphological revisions of the available specimens, we report new Middle Eastern records for this tick species that had been misidentified as other bat-associated argasid taxa. These specimens are larvae from three localities, and represent the first records of S. transgariepinus from two countries: one larva from Sabratha (Libya) was collected from an unidentified bat species (possibly Eptesicus isabellinus), seven larvae from Azraq-Shishan (Jordan), and 78 larvae from Shamwari (Jordan) were all collected from Otonycteris hemprichii. Twenty larvae from Shamwari were also tested for the presence of both, viral or bacterial microorganisms by PCR. Three ticks were found to be infected with the Murid gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68), one with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and four with a Rickettsia sp. closely related to Rickettsia slovaca. The findings represent a first evidence for the occurrence of these possible pathogens in S. transgariepinus.

Reticulinasus salahi (Acarina: Argasidae), a tick of bats and man in the Palaearctic and Afrotropics: review of records with the first pathogens detected.

The soft ticks of the genus Reticulinasus Schulze, 1941 (family Argasidae Koch, 1844) are ectoparasites of the fruit bats of the Old World (Pteropodidae). Reticulinasus salahi (Hoogstraal, 1953) is the only representative of this genus that occurs in the western part of the Palaearctic. This unusual distribution reflects the distributon range of its primary host, Rousettus aegyptiacus (Geoffroy, 1810). In this contribution, we present a revised review of records of this tick that were made in two periods, 1951-1966 (records from Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Spain) and 2005-2019 (Cyprus, Iran, Oman), and additionally, we present notes, re-determinations, new records, and summary of hosts of this tick. Besides the primary host, the revised list of hosts comprises two bats (Taphozous perforatus Geoffroy, 1818, Otonycteris hemprichii Peters, 1859) and the human (Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758). We also tried to identify pathogens in specimens of this tick collected from R. aegyptiacus in Oman. The DNA of the Mouse herpesvirus strain 68 (MHV-68), of two bacteria, Borellia burgdorferii sensu lato, and Ehrlichia sp. almost identical (98%) with Candidatus Ehrlichia shimanensis was detected in several larvae specimens.

A new species of Chiroptella Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 (Acari: Trombiculidae) from diadem leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros diadema (Geoffroy) (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) in Bali Island (Indonesia) with distribution records, hosts, and a key to the species of the genus.

A new chigger mite Chiroptella baliensis n. sp. is described based on material from the diadem leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros diadema (Geoffroy) (Hipposideridae) in Bali Island (Lesser Sunda Islands, East Indonesia). With this newly described species, the genus Chiroptella includes 22 species, 13 in the subgenus Chiroptella Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 (sensu stricto), and 9 in the subgenus Neosomia Vercammen-Grandjean, 1968. Species of Chiroptella are distributed throughout the Ethiopian region, the Oriental region, and the Australian region (and only marginally throughout the Palaearctic region) and are all associated with several families of bats. The paper also provides a key to all members of the genus and the new combinations for two species originally described as Chiroptella.

Rudnicula goffi n. sp. (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) from the diadem leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros diadema (Geoffroy) (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) on Bali, Indonesia.

A new species of chigger mite, Rudnicula goffi n. sp., is described from the diadem leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros diadema (Geoffroy) (Hipposideridae) caught in the Goa Peteng Cave on Bali (Indonesia). The new species differs from the closely related species by the presence of scutum with AL windows, lateral scutal margins with cuticular striations and fSt = 2 + 2 + 2. A list of all available records of Rudnicula species is provided. The genus is restricted to the tropics of Southeast Asia, Australia, Melanesia, and the subtropics of eastern Asia. A key to the known species of Rudnicula based on the morphology of the larvae is also provided.

A New Species of Chigger (Acari: Trombiculidae) from Indonesia and Current Differentiation of Trombicula Berlese, 1905 Sensu Stricto Group.

BACKGROUND: Two new species of chiggers in the two genera (Chiroptella Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 and Rudnicula Vercammen-Grandjean, 1964) have been described in Indonesia since 2020. The checklist of all known bat-infesting chiggers has also been compiled for Indonesia. It summarizes 16 species in 9 genera of chiggers parasitizing 12 bat species belonging to 5 families collected on 8 Indonesian islands. Nine specimens collected in 2020 on Nusa Penida Island were not included in the checklist because of their uncertain taxonomy. In the current paper, we resolve the taxonomy of these specimens belonging to Trombicula sensu stricto group. We also revise the existing characters of this group and provide new characters helping with the clear definition of this taxa. METHODS: Hosts and chiggers were captured in February 2020 in Nusa Penida Islands in Indonesia using standard bat-capturing and parasite-collecting methods. For the specimens examined in this study were provided drawings, measurements, and microscopy images. This type material is deposited in the Slovak and Czech National museums. RESULTS: In the paper, we describe a new species parasitizing diadem leaf-nosed bat in the Goa Peteng cave on Nusa Penida Island (Lesser Sunda Islands, East Indonesia). This new species differs from all related species by the presence of a very long tarsala I (S1). A key to the larvae of all seven known Trombicula s. s. species is provided. The differentiation of Trombicula s. s. group is based on leg segmentation fsp = 6.6.6, rugose scutum with complete AM, AL and PL setation, and fT = 5B, 5BN or 4B2N. CONCLUSION: A new species within the genus Trombicula, group minor has been described. The new species also increases the number of known chiggers in Indonesia and the number of species parasitizing the host species Hipposideros diadema. Trombicula s. s. has also been revised and more clearly defined.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is the most frequent but commonly overlooked phenotype in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a serious complication of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, most data come from retrospective studies that included patients on chronic hemodialysis at the time of its initiation. These patients are frequently overhydrated, which significantly influences the echocardiogram findings. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of heart failure and its phenotypes. The secondary aims were (1) to describe the potential of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) for HF diagnosis in ESKD patients on hemodialysis, (2) to analyze the frequency of abnormal left ventricular geometry, and (3) to describe the differences between various HF phenotypes in this population. Methods: We included all patients on chronic hemodialysis for at least 3 months from five hemodialysis units who were willing to participate, had no living kidney transplant donor, and had a life expectancy longer than 6 months at the time of inclusion. Detailed echocardiography together with hemodynamic calculations, dialysis arteriovenous fistula flow volume calculation, and basic lab analysis were performed in conditions of clinical stability. Excess of severe overhydration was excluded by clinical examination and by employing bioimpedance. Results: A total of 214 patients aged 66.4 ± 14.6 years were included. HF was diagnosed in 57% of them. Among patients with HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was, by far, the most common phenotype and occurred in 35%, while HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) occurred only in 7%, HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) in 7%, and high-output HF in 9%. Patients with HFpEF differed from patients with no HF significantly in the following: they were older (62 ± 14 vs. 70 ± 14, p = 0.002) and had a higher left ventricular mass index [96(36) vs. 108(45), p = 0.015], higher left atrial index [33(12) vs. 44(16), p < 0.0001], and higher estimated central venous pressure [5(4) vs. 6(8), p = 0.004] and pulmonary artery systolic pressure [31(9) vs. 40(23), p = 0.006] but slightly lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE): 22 ± 5 vs. 24 ± 5, p = 0.04. NTproBNP had low sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing HF or HFpEF: with the use of the cutoff value of 8,296 ng/L, the sensitivity of HF diagnosis was only 52% while the specificity was 79%. However, NTproBNP levels were significantly related to echocardiographic variables, most significantly to the indexed left atrial volume (R = 0.56, p < 10-5) and to the estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (R = 0.50, p < 10-5). Conclusions: HFpEF was by far the most common heart failure phenotype in patients on chronic hemodialysis and was followed by high-output HF. Patients suffering from HFpEF were older and had not only typical echocardiographic changes but also higher hydration that mirrored increased filling pressures of both ventricles than in those of patients without HF.

Inferring genetic structure when there is little: population genetics versus genomics of the threatened bat Miniopterus schreibersii across Europe.

Despite their paramount importance in molecular ecology and conservation, genetic diversity and structure remain challenging to quantify with traditional genotyping methods. Next-generation sequencing holds great promises, but this has not been properly tested in highly mobile species. In this article, we compared microsatellite and RAD-sequencing (RAD-seq) analyses to investigate population structure in the declining bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) across Europe. Both markers retrieved general patterns of weak range-wide differentiation, little sex-biased dispersal, and strong isolation by distance that associated with significant genetic structure between the three Mediterranean Peninsulas, which could have acted as glacial refugia. Microsatellites proved uninformative in individual-based analyses, but the resolution offered by genomic SNPs illuminated on regional substructures within several countries, with colonies sharing migrators of distinct ancestry without admixture. This finding is consistent with a marked philopatry and spatial partitioning between mating and rearing grounds in the species, which was suspected from marked-recaptured data. Our study advocates that genomic data are necessary to properly unveil the genetic footprints left by biogeographic processes and social organization in long-distant flyers, which are otherwise rapidly blurred by their high levels of gene flow.

Bat-Infesting Chiggers (Trombiculidae) in Indonesia: Current Review, Distribution, and Hosts with Three New Records and their Morphometric Data.

PURPOSE: Even though the taxonomy of bat-infesting chiggers has been studied extensively, information about the distribution and morphological variability of many species is still lacking. In fact, the only available distribution records for several species are their type localities. The purpose of this paper is to broaden the knowledge of the Indonesian group. METHODS: Hosts and chiggers were captured from April 2018 to March 2020 in Bali and Nusa Penida Islands in Indonesia by using standard bat-capturing and parasite-collecting methods. A list of bat-infesting chiggers in Indonesia was compiled by searching the public databases using specific keywords. RESULTS: When compared with already published data on type specimens, the physical measurements and morphology of Whartonia diosi, W. maai and Grandjeana sinensis revealed only minor differences that fell within intraspecific variability of the mentioned species. Two species (W. diosi and G. sinensis) are recorded here for the first time outside of their type localities (Panay Island in the Philippines and China) and, in both cases, represent the first records for Indonesia. The checklist summarizes all 16 species in 9 genera of bat-infesting chiggers collected from 12 bat species belonging to 5 families all collected on 8 Indonesian islands. CONCLUSION: Indonesia comprises more than 17,000 islands, is home to over 200 bat species, and harbors hundreds of still undiscovered caves. With such a huge potential for chigger diversity and endemism, it is likely that our results document only a fraction of the actual diversity.

Ultrasonic bandgaps in 3D-printed periodic ceramic microlattices.

The transmission of longitudinal ultrasonic waves through periodic ceramic microlattices fabricated by Robocasting was measured in the 2-12MHz frequency range. It was observed that these structures (scaffolds of tetragonal and hexagonal spatial arrangements with periodicity at length-scales of ∼100µm) exhibit well-detectable acoustic band structures with bandgaps. The locations of these gaps at relatively high frequencies were shown to be in close agreement with the predictions of numerical models, especially for tetragonal scaffolds. For hexagonal scaffolds, a mixing between longitudinal and shear polarizations of the propagation modes was observed in the model, which blurred the matching of the calculated band structures with the experimentally measured bandgaps.