Bartonella are globally distributed bacteria that can cause endocarditis in humans and domestic animals. Bats have been implicated as a likely reservoir host for these bacteria, but little is known about how prevalence varies over time, routes of transmission, and the genetic diversity of Bartonella in bats.

My guest today sheds some light on this topic in a new study published in the journal, PLoS Neglected Tropical diseases

Joining me today to discuss the research is post doctoral researcher with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Montana State University in Bozeman, Daniel Becker, PhD.