Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever and Haverhill fever, in free-living greater bandicoot rats in Northeastern India

Background and Aim: Streptobacillus moniliformis is the causative agent of zoonotic diseases such as rat-bite fever (RBF) and Haverhill fever (HF). While human infections are well-documented, limited studies have explored its presence in rodents in India. This study aimed to detect S. moniliformis i...

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Main Authors: A. A. P. Milton, Aleimo G. Momin, K. Srinivas, G. Bhuvana Priya, P. N. Gandhale, D. M. Firake, Samir Das, S. Ghatak, A. Sen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Veterinary World 2025-02-01
Series:Veterinary World
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Online Access:https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/February-2025/20.pdf
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author A. A. P. Milton
Aleimo G. Momin
K. Srinivas
G. Bhuvana Priya
P. N. Gandhale
D. M. Firake
Samir Das
S. Ghatak
A. Sen
author_facet A. A. P. Milton
Aleimo G. Momin
K. Srinivas
G. Bhuvana Priya
P. N. Gandhale
D. M. Firake
Samir Das
S. Ghatak
A. Sen
author_sort A. A. P. Milton
collection DOAJ
description Background and Aim: Streptobacillus moniliformis is the causative agent of zoonotic diseases such as rat-bite fever (RBF) and Haverhill fever (HF). While human infections are well-documented, limited studies have explored its presence in rodents in India. This study aimed to detect S. moniliformis in free-living bandicoots (Bandicota bengalensis and Bandicota indica) in Northeastern India and perform a phylogenetic analysis to assess its genetic relationship with global isolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 bandicoots (B. bengalensis, n = 76; B. indica, n = 30) were captured from various environments in Meghalaya, India. Fecal and tissue samples were collected and subjected to DNA extraction. Molecular detection of S. moniliformis was conducted using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Positive amplicons were sequenced, analyzed using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results: PCR-based detection revealed a fecal prevalence of 3.3% (1/30) in B. indica and 0% in B. bengalensis. No tissue samples tested positive for S. moniliformis. The detected isolate exhibited 100% sequence identity with previously reported S. moniliformis strains and 99.63% similarity to Streptobacillus notomytis. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the recovered isolate with human and rodent-derived S. moniliformis strains from multiple global regions, suggesting potential zoonotic transmission. Conclusion: This study presents the first molecular detection of S. moniliformis in bandicoots from India, highlighting its zoonotic potential. Given its transmission risks through rodent bites and excreta contamination, public health surveillance is essential. Clinicians should consider RBF and HF in patients presenting with prolonged fever, particularly in rodent-endemic areas.
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spelling doaj-art-44eb7ddf56a24c84af7faf3c0b66ef932025-08-20T02:15:47ZengVeterinary WorldVeterinary World0972-89882231-09162025-02-0118245546010.14202/vetworld.2025.455-460Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever and Haverhill fever, in free-living greater bandicoot rats in Northeastern IndiaA. A. P. Milton0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0436-6582Aleimo G. Momin1https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7383-5548K. Srinivas2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7396-6488G. Bhuvana Priya3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8279-6326P. N. Gandhale4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0807-5571D. M. Firake5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3353-5728Samir Das6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6613-7347S. Ghatak7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4553-0609A. Sen8https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1629-2231ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.College of Agriculture, CAU (Imphal), Kyrdemkulai, Meghalaya, India.ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India; ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India. ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India.Background and Aim: Streptobacillus moniliformis is the causative agent of zoonotic diseases such as rat-bite fever (RBF) and Haverhill fever (HF). While human infections are well-documented, limited studies have explored its presence in rodents in India. This study aimed to detect S. moniliformis in free-living bandicoots (Bandicota bengalensis and Bandicota indica) in Northeastern India and perform a phylogenetic analysis to assess its genetic relationship with global isolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 106 bandicoots (B. bengalensis, n = 76; B. indica, n = 30) were captured from various environments in Meghalaya, India. Fecal and tissue samples were collected and subjected to DNA extraction. Molecular detection of S. moniliformis was conducted using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Positive amplicons were sequenced, analyzed using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results: PCR-based detection revealed a fecal prevalence of 3.3% (1/30) in B. indica and 0% in B. bengalensis. No tissue samples tested positive for S. moniliformis. The detected isolate exhibited 100% sequence identity with previously reported S. moniliformis strains and 99.63% similarity to Streptobacillus notomytis. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the recovered isolate with human and rodent-derived S. moniliformis strains from multiple global regions, suggesting potential zoonotic transmission. Conclusion: This study presents the first molecular detection of S. moniliformis in bandicoots from India, highlighting its zoonotic potential. Given its transmission risks through rodent bites and excreta contamination, public health surveillance is essential. Clinicians should consider RBF and HF in patients presenting with prolonged fever, particularly in rodent-endemic areas.https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/February-2025/20.pdfbandicootshaverhill feverindiarat-bite feverstreptobacillus moniliformis
spellingShingle A. A. P. Milton
Aleimo G. Momin
K. Srinivas
G. Bhuvana Priya
P. N. Gandhale
D. M. Firake
Samir Das
S. Ghatak
A. Sen
Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever and Haverhill fever, in free-living greater bandicoot rats in Northeastern India
Veterinary World
bandicoots
haverhill fever
india
rat-bite fever
streptobacillus moniliformis
title Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever and Haverhill fever, in free-living greater bandicoot rats in Northeastern India
title_full Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever and Haverhill fever, in free-living greater bandicoot rats in Northeastern India
title_fullStr Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever and Haverhill fever, in free-living greater bandicoot rats in Northeastern India
title_full_unstemmed Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever and Haverhill fever, in free-living greater bandicoot rats in Northeastern India
title_short Detection and phylogenetic analysis of Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever and Haverhill fever, in free-living greater bandicoot rats in Northeastern India
title_sort detection and phylogenetic analysis of streptobacillus moniliformis the causative agent of rat bite fever and haverhill fever in free living greater bandicoot rats in northeastern india
topic bandicoots
haverhill fever
india
rat-bite fever
streptobacillus moniliformis
url https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/February-2025/20.pdf
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