ISOLATION OF BARTONELLA SPP. FROM EMBRYOS AND NEONATES OF NATURALLY INFECTED RODENTS

Embryos and neonatal offspring of wild-captured cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were tested for the presence of Bartonella spp. Isolates of Bartonella spp. were obtai ned from 18 of 31 embryos and 7 of 19 neonates from bacteremic dams of the two species: no isolates were obtained from material from non-bac teremic dame. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the isolates from em bryos and neonates matched the phylogenetic group of Bartonella spp. i solates obtained from the mother. No antibodies to homologous Bartonel la spp. antigens were detected in maternal and neonatal blood or embry onic tissue. These findings suggest the possibility of vertical transm ission of Bartonella spp. among natural rodent hosts.