Detection of Trypanosomatid hemoflagellates in generalist bats from Costa Rica

Background: Hemoflagellates of the genera Leishmania and Trypanosoma have been reported in bats from various geographic regions worldwide. In Costa Rica, the presence of trypanosomatids in bats has been limited to descriptions of Trypanosoma vespertilionis and Trypanosoma leonidasdeanei in the 1950s and 1960s, with no prior reports of Leishmania spp. in these mammals. This study aimed to detect trypanosomatid hemoflagellates in generalist bat species from Costa Rica. Methods: Between June 2013 and August 2014, a total of 194 bats were captured from 11 localities across five provinces. Blood samples were collected from 98 individuals and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma spp. Results: Four samples (4.1%) tested positive for Leishmania spp. and nine samples (9.2%) for Trypanosoma spp. Sequencing determined for the first time the presence of Leishmania panamensis and Trypanosoma cruzi in generalist bats from Costa Rica, and confirmed the presence of Trypanosoma minasense in these volant mammals. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of integrative studies involving hosts, vectors, and environmental factors to understand the impact of ecosystem changes on trypanosomatid distribution and their potential implications for public health. It is necessary to understand the role that these hemoflagellates play on the health of bats, the importance of these mammals in leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, the transmission cycles and the ecological and bioclimate factors associated with vector and wildlife dynamics.