Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii , Neospora caninum and Encephalitozoon spp. in Vespertilionid Bats from Central Europe.

Bats may carry various viruses and bacteria which can be harmful to humans, but little is known about their role as a parasitic source with zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to test wild bats for the presence of selected parasites: , and microsporidia spp. In total, brain and small intestine tissues of 100 bats (52 , 43 and 5 ) were used for the DNA isolation and PCR detection of the abovementioned agents. DNA was detected by real-time PCR in 1% of bats (in one male of ), while all bats were negative for DNA. spp. DNA was detected by nested PCR in 25% of bats, including three species (twenty-two , two and one ). Positive samples were sequenced and showed homology with the genotypes II and 2C. This is the first study on wild vespertilionid bats from Central Europe and worldwide, with a relatively high positivity of spp. detected in bats.