A new species of bacteria of the genus Bartonella has been found in the Amazon National Park in the state of Pará, Brazil, in phlebotomine insects, also known as sand flies. This type of insect is generally associated with transmitting leishmaniasis, but according to the researchers, the DNA of the newly discovered microorganism is similar to that of two other Andean species of bacteria, B. bacilliformis and B. ancashensis. These bacteria cause Carrión’s disease (also known as Peruvian wart and Oroya fever) and are both transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies.



Summary

Researchers discovered a new Bartonella bacteria species within sand flies in Brazil’s Amazon National Park. Though sand flies are known for spreading leishmaniasis, this novel bacteria’s DNA resembles two Andean Bartonella species, B. bacilliformis and B. ancashensis. These related species are also transmitted by sand flies and cause Carrión’s disease, characterized by symptoms like Peruvian wart and Oroya fever. This discovery expands the known range and diversity of Bartonella bacteria and raises questions about potential disease risks in the Amazon region.

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