Abstract
dc:description.abstract<p><em>Bartonella</em> bacteria are widespread zoonotic pathogens that infect a diverse range of small mammals, yet their prevalence and distribution remain understudied in many host species. In this study, <em>Bartonella</em> infection was assessed across multiple small mammal species, revealing an overall prevalence of approximately 37% based on droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) screening. Following ddPCR screening, individuals that yielded positive results were selected for further analysis including genetic sequencing of the RNA polymerase b-subunit (<em>rpoB</em>) gene. While 116 individuals of 313 tested positive, only 63 samples were successfully sequenced, likely due to low infection loads. BLAST analysis suggested the presence of several <em>Bartonella</em> species among the infected samples, with <em>B. grahamii</em> and <em>B. washoensis</em> being the most frequently detected. Phylogenetic analyses using both Bayesian inference (MrBayes) and maximum likelihood (IQ-TREE) approaches demonstrated strong host-associated clustering of known <em>Bartonella </em>species. These findings provide important insights into <em>Bartonella</em> prevalence, distribution, diversity, and host specificity.</p>
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science
- Level thesis:degree_level
- Thesis
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Biology
- Year dc:date.available
- 2025
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Greenman, Emily
- Contributors dc:contributor
-
- Josh Sharp
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Repository record dc:identifier
- https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/872
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1945