Date of Award

5-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Biology

Program

Biology (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Josh Sharp

Abstract

Bartonella 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, Bartonella 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 (rpoB) 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 Bartonella species among the infected samples, with B. grahamii and B. washoensis 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 Bartonella species. These findings provide important insights into Bartonella prevalence, distribution, diversity, and host specificity.

Access Type

Open Access

Justification for Restricting Access

I plan on publishing part of my thesis in a peer-reviewed journal and they may view an open-access on The Commons as it already being published.

Additional Files
Emily Greenman.pdf (33 kB)
Signed signature page
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Available for download on Sunday, March 31, 2030

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