1
|
Balakrishnan K, Krishnaa D, Balakrishnan G, Manickam M, Abdulkader AM, Dharumadurai D. Association of Bacterial Communities with Psychedelic Mushroom and Soil as Revealed in 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024; 196:2566-2590. [PMID: 37103739 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04527-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities' resident in the mushroom fruiting body and the soil around it play critical roles in the growth and propagation of the mushroom. Among the microbial communities associated with psychedelic mushrooms and the rhizosphere soil, bacterial communities are considered vital since their presence greatly influences the health of the mushrooms. The present study aimed at finding the microbiota present in the psychedelic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis and the soil the mushroom inhabits. The study was conducted at two different locations in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India. The composition and structure of microbial communities in the mushroom fruiting body and the soil were deciphered. The genomes of the microbial communities were directly assessed. High-throughput amplicon sequencing revealed distinct microbial diversity in the mushroom and the related soil. The interaction of environmental and anthropogenic factors appeared to have a significant impact on the mushroom and soil microbiome. The most abundant bacterial genera were Ochrobactrum, Stenotrophomonas, Achromobacter, and Brevundimonas. Thus, the study advances the knowledge of the composition of the microbiome and microbial ecology of a psychedelic mushroom, and paves the way for in-depth investigation of the influence of microbiota on the mushroom, with special emphasis on the impact of bacterial communities on mushroom growth. Further studies are required for a deeper understanding of the microbial communities that influence the growth of P. cubensis mushroom.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karthiyayini Balakrishnan
- Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
- National Centre for alternatives to Animal Experiments, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dheebhashriee Krishnaa
- Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gowdhami Balakrishnan
- National Centre for alternatives to Animal Experiments, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Muthuselvam Manickam
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Akbarsha Mohammad Abdulkader
- Mahatma Gandhi-Dorenkamp Centre, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Biotechnology & Research Coordinator, National College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Molina-Garza ZJ, Cuesy-León M, Baylón-Pacheco L, Rosales-Encina JL, Galaviz-Silva L. Diversity of midgut microbiota in ticks collected from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from northern Mexico. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2024; 62:117-130. [PMID: 38443775 PMCID: PMC10915265 DOI: 10.3347/phd.23006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Ticks host different pathogens as endosymbiont and nonpathogenic microorganisms and play an important role in reproductive fitness and nutrient provision. However, the bacterial microbiomes of white-tailed deer ticks have received minimal attention. This study aimed to examine the bacterial microbiome of ticks collected from Odocoileus virginianus on the Mexico-United States border to assess differences in microbiome diversity in ticks of different species, sexes, and localities. Five different tick species were collected: Rhipicephalus microplus, Dermacentor nitens, Otobius megnini, Amblyomma cajennense, and A. maculatum. The tick microbiomes were analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Among all tick species, the most predominant phylum was Proteobacteria, followed by Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. The ticks from Tamaulipas and Nuevo León presented the highest bacterial species diversity. Acinetobacter johnsonii and A. lwoffii were the common bacterial species in the microbiome of all ticks, Coxiella were present in R. microplus, and Dermacentor nitens also exhibited a Francisella-like endosymbiont. The microbiome of most females in D. nitens was less diverse than that of males, whereas R. microplus occurs in females, suggesting that microbiome diversity is influenced by sex. In the bacterial communities of A. maculatum and O. megnini, Candidatus Midichloria massiliensis, and Candidatus Endoecteinascidia fumentensis were the most predominant endosymbionts. These results constitute the initial report on these bacteria, and this is also the first study to characterize the microbiome of O. megnini.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zinnia Judith Molina-Garza
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Patología Molecular y Experimental, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico. C.P. 66455
| | - Mariana Cuesy-León
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Patología Molecular y Experimental, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico. C.P. 66455
| | - Lidia Baylón-Pacheco
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados de IPN. Av. IPN No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México, C.P. 07360
| | - José Luis Rosales-Encina
- Departamento de Infectómica y Patogénesis Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados de IPN. Av. IPN No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México, C.P. 07360
| | - Lucio Galaviz-Silva
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Laboratorio de Patología Molecular y Experimental, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico. C.P. 66455
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Holguin-Rocha AF, Calle-Tobon A, Vásquez GM, Astete H, Fisher ML, Tobon-Castano A, Velez-Tobon G, Maldonado-Ruiz LP, Silver K, Park Y, Londono-Renteria B. Diversity of the Bacterial and Viral Communities in the Tropical Horse Tick, Dermacentor nitens, in Colombia. Pathogens 2023; 12:942. [PMID: 37513789 PMCID: PMC10384233 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens among various vertebrates, including humans. The microbial and viral communities of ticks, including pathogenic microorganisms, are known to be highly diverse. However, the factors driving this diversity are not well understood. The tropical horse tick, Dermacentor nitens, is distributed throughout the Americas and it is recognized as a natural vector of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, the causal agents of equine piroplasmosis. In this study, we characterized the bacterial and viral communities associated with partially fed Dermacentor nitens females collected using a passive survey on horses from field sites representing three distinct geographical areas in the country of Colombia (Bolivar, Antioquia, and Cordoba). RNA-seq and sequencing of the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were performed using the Illumina-Miseq platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). A total of 356 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, in which the presumed endosymbiont, Francisellaceae/Francisella spp., was predominantly found. Nine contigs corresponding to six different viruses were identified in three viral families: Chuviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Flaviviridae. Differences in the relative abundance of the microbial composition among the geographical regions were found to be independent of the presence of Francisella-like endosymbiont (FLE). The most prevalent bacteria found in each region were Corynebacterium in Bolivar, Staphylococcus in Antioquia, and Pseudomonas in Cordoba. Rickettsia-like endosymbionts, mainly recognized as the etiological agent of rickettsioses in Colombia, were detected in the Cordoba samples. Metatranscriptomics revealed 13 contigs containing FLE genes, suggesting a trend of regional differences. These findings suggest regional distinctions among the ticks and their bacterial compositions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andres F Holguin-Rocha
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Arley Calle-Tobon
- Grupo Entomologia Medica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Gissella M Vásquez
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Bellavista, Lima 15001, Peru
| | - Helvio Astete
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Bellavista, Lima 15001, Peru
| | - Michael L Fisher
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 (NAMRU-6), Bellavista, Lima 15001, Peru
| | - Alberto Tobon-Castano
- Grupo Malaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - Gabriel Velez-Tobon
- Grupo Malaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia
| | - L Paulina Maldonado-Ruiz
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Kristopher Silver
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Berlin Londono-Renteria
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Holguin-Rocha AF, Calle-Tobon A, Vásquez GM, Astete H, Fisher ML, Tobon-Castano A, Velez-Tobon G, Maldonado-Ruiz LP, Silver K, Park Y, Londono-Renteria B. Diversity of the bacterial and viral communities in the tropical horse tick, Dermacentor nitens in Colombia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.04.539352. [PMID: 37205465 PMCID: PMC10187316 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.04.539352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens among various vertebrates, including humans. The composition of the microbial and viral communities in addition to the pathogenic microorganisms is highly diverse in ticks, but the factors driving the diversity are not well understood. The tropical horse tick, Dermacentor nitens , is distributed throughout the Americas and it is recognized as a natural vector of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi , the causal agents of equine piroplasmosis. We characterized the bacterial and viral communities associated with partially-fed D. nitens females collected by a passive survey on horses from field sites representing three distinct geographical areas in Colombia (Bolivar, Antioquia, and Cordoba). RNA-seq and sequencing of the V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were performed using the Illumina-Miseq platform. A total of 356 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified, in which the presumed endosymbiotic Francisellaceae/ Francisella spp. was predominantly found. Nine contigs corresponding to six different viruses were identified in three viral families: Chuviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Flaviviridae. Differences in the relative abundance of the microbial composition among the geographical regions were found to be independent of the presence of Francisella -Like Endosymbiont (FLE). The most prevalent bacteria found on each region were Corynebacterium in Bolivar, Staphylococcus in Antioquia, and Pseudomonas in Cordoba. Rickettsia -like endosymbionts, mainly recognized as the etiological agent of rickettsioses in Colombia were detected in the Cordoba samples. Metatranscriptomics revealed 13 contigs containing FLE genes, suggesting a trend of regional differences. These findings suggest regional distinctions among the ticks and their bacterial compositions.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ortiz-Baez AS, Jaenson TGT, Holmes EC, Pettersson JHO, Wilhelmsson P. Substantial viral and bacterial diversity at the bat-tick interface. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 36862584 PMCID: PMC10132063 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks harbour a high diversity of viruses, bacteria and protozoa. The soft tick Carios vespertilionis (Argasidae) is a common ectoparasite of bats in the Palearctic region and is suspected to be vector and reservoir of viruses and other microbial species in bat populations, some of which may act as zoonotic agents for human disease. The Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Vespertilionidae) is widely distributed in Europe, where it can be found inside or close to human habitation. We used meta-transcriptomic sequencing to determine the RNA virome and common microbiota in blood-fed C. vespertilionis ticks collected from a Soprano pipistrelle bat roosting site in south-central Sweden. Our analyses identified 16 viruses from 11 virus families, of which 15 viruses were novel. For the first time in Sweden we identified Issuk-Kul virus, a zoonotic arthropod-borne virus previously associated with outbreaks of acute febrile illness in humans. Probable bat-associated and tick-borne viruses were classified within the families Nairoviridae, Caliciviridae and Hepeviridae, while other invertebrate-associated viruses included members of the Dicistroviridae, Iflaviridae, Nodaviridae, Partitiviridae, Permutotetraviridae, Polycipiviridae and Solemoviridae. Similarly, we found abundant bacteria in C. vespertilionis, including genera with known tick-borne bacteria, such as Coxiella spp. and Rickettsia spp. These findings demonstrate the remarkable diversity of RNA viruses and bacteria present in C. vespertilionis and highlight the importance of bat-associated ectoparasite surveillance as an effective and non-invasive means to track viruses and bacteria circulating in bats and ticks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayda Susana Ortiz-Baez
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Thomas G T Jaenson
- Department of Organismal Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - John H-O Pettersson
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.,Zoonosis Science Center, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Uppsala, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.,Clinical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Uppsala University Hospital, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Wilhelmsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Jönköping County, SE-553 05 Jönköping, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Horn EJ, van Hille RP, Oyekola OO, Welz PJ. Functional Microbial Communities in Hybrid Linear Flow Channel Reactors for Desulfurization of Tannery Effluent. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2305. [PMID: 36422375 PMCID: PMC9695182 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated that hybrid linear flow channel reactors (HLFCRs) can desulfurize tannery effluent via sulfate reduction and concurrent oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur. The reactors can be used to pre-treat tannery effluent to improve the efficiency of downstream anaerobic digestion and recover sulfur. This study was conducted to gain insight into the bacterial communities in HLFCRs operated in series and identify structure-function relationships. This was accomplished by interpreting the results obtained from amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and quantification of the dissimilatory sulfite reducing (dsrB) gene. In an effort to provide a suitable inoculum, microbial consortia were harvested from saline estuaries and enriched. However, it was found that bioaugmentation was not necessary because native communities from tannery wastewater were selected over exogenous communities from the enriched consortia. Overall, Dethiosulfovibrio sp. and Petrimonas sp. were strongly selected (maximum relative abundances of 29% and 26%, respectively), while Desulfobacterium autotrophicum (57%), and Desulfobacter halotolerans (27%) dominated the sulfate reducing bacteria. The presence of elemental sulfur reducing genera such as Dethiosulfovibrio and Petrimonas is not desirable in HLFCRs, and strategies to counter their selection need to be considered to ensure efficiency of these systems for pre-treatment of tannery effluent.
Collapse
|
7
|
Socarras KM, Haslund-Gourley BS, Cramer NA, Comunale MA, Marconi RT, Ehrlich GD. Large-Scale Sequencing of Borreliaceae for the Construction of Pan-Genomic-Based Diagnostics. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1604. [PMID: 36140772 PMCID: PMC9498496 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The acceleration of climate change has been associated with an alarming increase in the prevalence and geographic range of tick-borne diseases (TBD), many of which have severe and long-lasting effects-particularly when treatment is delayed principally due to inadequate diagnostics and lack of physician suspicion. Moreover, there is a paucity of treatment options for many TBDs that are complicated by diagnostic limitations for correctly identifying the offending pathogens. This review will focus on the biology, disease pathology, and detection methodologies used for the Borreliaceae family which includes the Lyme disease agent Borreliella burgdorferi. Previous work revealed that Borreliaceae genomes differ from most bacteria in that they are composed of large numbers of replicons, both linear and circular, with the main chromosome being the linear with telomeric-like termini. While these findings are novel, additional gene-specific analyses of each class of these multiple replicons are needed to better understand their respective roles in metabolism and pathogenesis of these enigmatic spirochetes. Historically, such studies were challenging due to a dearth of both analytic tools and a sufficient number of high-fidelity genomes among the various taxa within this family as a whole to provide for discriminative and functional genomic studies. Recent advances in long-read whole-genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and machine-learning have provided the tools to better understand the fundamental biology and phylogeny of these genomically-complex pathogens while also providing the data for the development of improved diagnostics and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M. Socarras
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Benjamin S. Haslund-Gourley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Nicholas A. Cramer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Mary Ann Comunale
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| | - Richard T. Marconi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Garth D. Ehrlich
- Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, 1112 East Clay Street, Room 101 Health Sciences Research Building, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
- Center for Surgical Infections and Biofilms, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Duncan KT, Elshahed MS, Sundstrom KD, Little SE, Youssef NH. Influence of tick sex and geographic region on the microbiome of Dermacentor variabilis collected from dogs and cats across the United States. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102002. [PMID: 35810549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
As tick-borne diseases continue to increase across North America, current research strives to understand how the tick microbiome may affect pathogen acquisition, maintenance, and transmission. Prior high throughput amplicon-based microbial diversity surveys of the widespread tick Dermacentor variabilis have suggested that life stage, sex, and geographic region may influence the composition of the tick microbiome. Here, adult D. variabilis ticks (n = 145) were collected from dogs and cats from 32 states with specimens originating from all four regions of the United States (West, Midwest, South, and Northeast), and the tick microbiome was examined via V4-16S rRNA gene amplification and Illumina sequencing. A total of 481,246 bacterial sequences were obtained (median 2924 per sample, range 399-11,990). Fifty genera represented the majority (>80%) of the sequences detected, with the genera Allofrancisella and Francisella being the most abundant. Further, 97%, 23%, and 5.5% of the ticks contained sequences belonging to Francisella spp., Rickettsia spp., and Coxiella spp., respectively. No Ehrlichia spp. or Anaplasma spp. were identified. Co-occurrence analysis, by way of correlation coefficients, between the top 50 most abundant genera demonstrated five strong positive and no strong negative correlation relationships. Geographic region had a consistent effect on species richness with ticks from the Northeast having a significantly greater level of richness. Alpha diversity patterns were dependent on tick sex, with males exhibiting higher levels of diversity, and geographical region, with higher level of diversity observed in ticks obtained from the Northeast, but not on tick host. Community structure, or beta diversity, of tick microbiome was impacted by tick sex and geographic location, with microbiomes of ticks from the western US exhibiting a distinct community structure when compared to those from the other three regions (Northeast, South, and Midwest). In total, LEfSe (Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size) identified 18 specific genera driving these observed patterns of diversity and community structure. Collectively, these findings highlight the differences in bacterial diversity of D. variabilis across the US and supports the interpretation that tick sex and geographic region affects microbiome composition across a broad sampling distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn T Duncan
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Room 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Mostafa S Elshahed
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Kellee D Sundstrom
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Room 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Susan E Little
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Room 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Noha H Youssef
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Travanty NV, Vargo EL, Apperson CS, Ponnusamy L. Colonization by the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, Modifies Soil Bacterial Communities. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 84:240-256. [PMID: 34370055 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01826-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The long-standing association between insects and microorganisms has been especially crucial to the evolutionary and ecological success of social insect groups. Notably, research on the interaction of the two social forms (monogyne and polygyne) of the red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta Buren, with microbes in its soil habitat is presently limited. In this study, we characterized bacterial microbiomes associated with RIFA nest soils and native (RIFA-negative) soils to better understand the effects of colonization of RIFA on soil microbial communities. Bacterial community fingerprints of 16S rRNA amplicons using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed significant differences in the structure of the bacterial communities between RIFA-positive and RIFA-negative soils at 0 and 10 cm depths. Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons provided fine-scale analysis to test for effects of RIFA colonization, RIFA social form, and soil depth on the composition of the bacterial microbiomes of the soil and RIFA workers. Our results showed the bacterial community structure of RIFA-colonized soils to be significantly different from native soil communities and to evidence elevated abundances of several taxa, including Actinobacteria. Colony social form was not found to be a significant factor in nest or RIFA worker microbiome compositions. RIFA workers and nest soils were determined to have markedly different bacterial communities, with RIFA worker microbiomes being characterized by high abundances of a Bartonella-like endosymbiont and Entomoplasmataceae. Cloning and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the Bartonella sp. to be a novel bacterium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas V Travanty
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, NC, 27695, Raleigh, USA
| | - Edward L Vargo
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Charles S Apperson
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, NC, 27695, Raleigh, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Loganathan Ponnusamy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, NC, 27695, Raleigh, USA.
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kumar D, Sharma SR, Adegoke A, Kennedy A, Tuten HC, Li AY, Karim S. Recently Evolved Francisella-Like Endosymbiont Outcompetes an Ancient and Evolutionarily Associated Coxiella-Like Endosymbiont in the Lone Star Tick ( Amblyomma americanum) Linked to the Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:787209. [PMID: 35493735 PMCID: PMC9039623 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.787209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are hematophagous arthropods that transmit various bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens of public health significance. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is an aggressive human-biting tick that transmits bacterial and viral pathogens, and its bites are suspected of eliciting the alpha-gal syndrome, a newly emerged delayed hypersensitivity following consumption of red meat in the United States. While ongoing studies have attempted to investigate the contribution of different tick-inherent factors to the induction of alpha-gal syndrome, an otherwise understudied aspect is the contribution of the tick microbiome and specifically obligate endosymbionts to the establishment of the alpha-gal syndrome in humans. Materials and Methods Here we utilized a high-throughput metagenomic sequencing approach to cataloging the entire microbial communities residing within different developmental stages and tissues of unfed and blood-fed ticks from laboratory-maintained ticks and three new geographical locations in the United States. The Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME2) pipeline was used to perform data analysis and taxonomic classification. Moreover, using a SparCC (Sparse Correlations for Compositional data) network construction model, we investigated potential interactions between members of the microbial communities from laboratory-maintained and field-collected ticks. Results Overall, Francisellaceae was the most dominant bacteria identified in the microbiome of both laboratory-raised and field-collected Am. americanum across all tissues and developmental stages. Likewise, microbial diversity was seen to be significantly higher in field-collected ticks compared with laboratory-maintained ticks as seen with a higher number of both Operational Taxonomic Units and measures of species richness. Several potential positive and negative correlations were identified from our network analysis. We observed a strong positive correlation between Francisellaceae, Rickettsiaceae, and Midichloriaceae in both developmental stages and tissues from laboratory-maintained ticks, whereas ovarian tissues had a strong positive correlation of bacteria in the family Xanthobacteraceae and Rhizobiaceae. A negative interaction was observed between Coxiellaceae and Francisellaceae in Illinois, and all the bacteria detected from ticks from Delaware were negatively correlated. Conclusion This study is the first to catalog the microbiome of Am. americanum throughout its developmental stages and different tissue niches and report the potential replacement of Coxiellaceae by Francisellaceae across developmental stages and tissues tested except in ovarian tissues. These unique and significant findings advance our knowledge and open a new avenue of research to further understand the role of tick microbiome in tick-borne diseases and develop a holistic strategy to control alpha-gal syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kumar
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Surendra Raj Sharma
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Abdulsalam Adegoke
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| | - Ashley Kennedy
- Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, Delaware Mosquito Control Sect., Newark, DE, United States
| | - Holly C. Tuten
- Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Andrew Y. Li
- Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Shahid Karim
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hussain S, Perveen N, Hussain A, Song B, Aziz MU, Zeb J, Li J, George D, Cabezas-Cruz A, Sparagano O. The Symbiotic Continuum Within Ticks: Opportunities for Disease Control. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:854803. [PMID: 35369485 PMCID: PMC8969565 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.854803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Among blood-sucking arthropods, ticks are recognized as being of prime global importance because of their role as vectors of pathogens affecting human and animal health. Ticks carry a variety of pathogenic, commensal, and symbiotic microorganisms. For the latter, studies are available concerning the detection of endosymbionts, but their role in the physiology and ecology of ticks remains largely unexplored. This review paper focuses on tick endosymbionts of the genera Coxiella, Rickettsia, Francisella, Midichloria, and Wolbachia, and their impact on ticks and tick-pathogen interactions that drive disease risk. Tick endosymbionts can affect tick physiology by influencing nutritional adaptation, fitness, and immunity. Further, symbionts may influence disease ecology, as they interact with tick-borne pathogens and can facilitate or compete with pathogen development within the vector tissues. Rickettsial symbionts are frequently found in ticks of the genera of Ixodes, Amblyomma, and Dermacentor with relatively lower occurrence in Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Hyalomma ticks, while Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) were reported infecting almost all tick species tested. Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) have been identified in tick genera such as Dermacentor, Amblyomma, Ornithodoros, Ixodes, and Hyalomma, whereas Wolbachia sp. has been detected in Ixodes, Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus tick genera. Notably, CLEs and FLEs are obligate endosymbionts essential for tick survival and development through the life cycle. American dog ticks showed greater motility when infected with Rickettsia, indirectly influencing infection risk, providing evidence of a relationship between tick endosymbionts and tick-vectored pathogens. The widespread occurrence of endosymbionts across the tick phylogeny and evidence of their functional roles in ticks and interference with tick-borne pathogens suggests a significant contribution to tick evolution and/or vector competence. We currently understand relatively little on how these endosymbionts influence tick parasitism, vector capacity, pathogen transmission and colonization, and ultimately on how they influence tick-borne disease dynamics. Filling this knowledge gap represents a major challenge for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabir Hussain
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nighat Perveen
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abrar Hussain
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Baolin Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Muhammad Umair Aziz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jehan Zeb
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - David George
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Olivier Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang XL, Deng YP, Yang T, Li LY, Cheng TY, Liu GH, Duan DY. Metagenomics of the midgut microbiome of Rhipicephalus microplus from China. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:48. [PMID: 35135613 PMCID: PMC8822867 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05161-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks, which are ectoparasites of animals, may carry multiple pathogens. The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is an important bovine parasite in China. However, the midgut microbiome of R. microplus from China has not been characterized via metagenomic methods. Methods Rhipicephalus microplus were collected from cattle in the city of Changsha in Hunan province, China. The DNA of the midgut contents was extracted from fully engorged adult female R. microplus. A DNA library was constructed and sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq sequencing platform. SOAPdenovo software was used to assemble and analyze the clean data. The latent class analysis algorithm applied to system classification by MEGAN software was used to annotate the information on the species’ sequences. DIAMOND software was used to compare unigenes with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, and functional annotation was carried out based on the results of the comparison. Results The dominant phyla in the five samples were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Streptococcus, Mycobacterium, Anaplasma, Enterococcus, Shigella, Lactobacillus, Brachyspira, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Bacillus, and Lactococcus were the dominant genera in the five samples. The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was also detected in all of the samples. Mycobacterium malmesburyense, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Enterococcus faecium, Shigella sonnei, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus casei, Brachyspira hampsonii, Pseudomonas syringae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Lactococcus garvieae were the dominant species in the five samples. In addition to these bacterial species, we also detected some eukaryotes, such as Rhizophagus irregularis, Enterospora canceri, Smittium culicis, Zancudomyces culisetae, Trachipleistophora hominis, and viruses such as orf virus, human endogenous retrovirus type W, enzootic nasal tumor virus of goats, bovine retrovirus CH15, and galidia endogenous retrovirus in all of the samples at the species level. The results of the annotated KEGG pathway predictions for the gene functions of the midgut microflora of R. microplus indicated genes involved in lipid and amino acid metabolism, infectious diseases (e.g., Streptococcuspneumonia infection, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, Shigellasonnei infection, Salmonella enterica infection, and pathogenic Escherichia coli infection), and cancer. Conclusions Our study revealed that the midgut microbiome of R. microplus is not only composed of a large number of bacteria, but that a portion also comprises eukaryotes and viruses. The data presented here enhance our understanding of this tick’s midgut microbiome and provide fundamental information for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05161-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ling Zhang
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Yuan-Ping Deng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Tian Yang
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Le-Yan Li
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Tian-Yin Cheng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China.
| | - De-Yong Duan
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ponnusamy L, Sutton H, Mitchell RD, Sonenshine DE, Apperson CS, Roe RM. Tick Ecdysteroid Hormone, Global Microbiota/ Rickettsia Signaling in the Ovary versus Carcass during Vitellogenesis in Part-Fed (Virgin) American Dog Ticks, Dermacentor variabilis. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1242. [PMID: 34201013 PMCID: PMC8228290 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The transovarial transmission of tick-borne bacterial pathogens is an important mechanism for their maintenance in natural populations and transmission, causing disease in humans and animals. The mechanism for this transmission and the possible role of tick hormones facilitating this process have never been studied. Injections of physiological levels of the tick hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), into part-fed (virgin) adult females of the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, attached to the host caused a reduction in density of Rickettsia montanensis in the carcass and an increase in the ovaries compared to buffer-injected controls. This injection initiates yolk protein synthesis and uptake by the eggs but has no effect on blood feeding. Francisella sp. and R. montanensis were the predominant bacteria based on the proportionality in the carcass and ovary. The total bacteria load increased in the carcass and ovaries, and bacteria in the genus Pseudomonas increased in the carcass after the 20E injection. The mechanism of how the Rickettsia species respond to changes in tick hormonal regulation needs further investigation. Multiple possible mechanisms for the proliferation of R. montanensis in the ovaries are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loganathan Ponnusamy
- Department of Entomology and Plath Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (L.P.); (H.S.); (R.D.M.III); (C.S.A.)
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Haley Sutton
- Department of Entomology and Plath Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (L.P.); (H.S.); (R.D.M.III); (C.S.A.)
- North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
| | - Robert D. Mitchell
- Department of Entomology and Plath Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (L.P.); (H.S.); (R.D.M.III); (C.S.A.)
- Office of Pesticide Programs, Invertebrate and Vertebrate Branch 1, Registration Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC 20460, USA
| | - Daniel E. Sonenshine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA;
| | - Charles S. Apperson
- Department of Entomology and Plath Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (L.P.); (H.S.); (R.D.M.III); (C.S.A.)
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Richard Michael Roe
- Department of Entomology and Plath Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; (L.P.); (H.S.); (R.D.M.III); (C.S.A.)
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Diyes CP, Dergousoff SJ, Yunik MEM, Chilton NB. Reproductive output and larval survival of American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) from a population at the northern distributional limit. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 83:257-270. [PMID: 33394199 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00581-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Female reproductive output and larval survival were determined for American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), from a recently established population near the northern distributional limit in Saskatchewan (Canada). Oviposition took 10-21 days at 25 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH). Temperature and relative humidity had a marked effect on egg development time and larval survival. Unfed larvae survived more than 100 days at 32 °C (with 95% RH) and 25 and 5 °C (with ≥ 85% RH). However, survival times declined markedly at lower relative humidities. In addition, 95% of the larvae placed in field enclosures survived for 140 days over winter during which they were exposed to sub-zero temperatures and 95-100% RH, while covered with snow. The median survival times (LT50) of unfed larvae submerged underwater was 68 days. These results show that D. variabilis larvae in populations near the periphery of the northern distributional limit are adapted to cope with sub-zero temperatures in winter, and can survive in the temporary pools of water created by the spring snow melt.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chulantha P Diyes
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Shaun J Dergousoff
- Lethbridge Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Matthew E M Yunik
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Neil B Chilton
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sperling J, MacDonald Z, Normandeau J, Merrill E, Sperling F, Magor K. Within-population diversity of bacterial microbiomes in winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus). Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101535. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
16
|
Adegoke A, Kumar D, Bobo C, Rashid MI, Durrani AZ, Sajid MS, Karim S. Tick-Borne Pathogens Shape the Native Microbiome Within Tick Vectors. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1299. [PMID: 32854447 PMCID: PMC7563471 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are blood-feeding arthropods and transmit a variety of medically important viral, bacterial, protozoan pathogens to animals and humans. Ticks also harbor a diverse community of microbes linked to their biological processes, such as hematophagy, and hence affect vector competence. The interactions between bacterial and/or protozoan pathogens and the tick microbiome is a black-box, and therefore we tested the hypothesis that the presence of a protozoan or bacterial pathogen will alter the microbial composition within a tick. Hence, this study was designed to define the microbial composition of two tick species, Hyalomma (H.) anatolicum and Rhipicephalus (R.) microplus. We used a combination of PCR based pathogen (Anaplasma marginale and Theileria species) and symbiont (Wolbachia species) identification followed by metagenomic sequencing and comparison of the microbial communities in PCR positive and negative ticks. A total of 1786 operational taxonomic units was identified representing 25 phyla, 50 classes, and 342 genera. The phylum Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota were the most represented bacteria group. Alpha and beta diversity were not significantly affected in the presence or absence of Theileria sp. and A. marginale as see with H. anatolicum ticks. Interestingly, bacterial communities were significantly reduced in Theileria sp. infected R. microplus ticks, while also exhibiting a significant reduction in microbial richness and evenness. Putting these observations together, we referred to the effect the presence of Theileria sp. has on R. microplus a "pathogen-induced dysbiosis". We also identify the presence of Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of human malaria from the microbiome of both H. anatolicum and R. microplus ticks. These findings support the presence of a "pathogen-induced dysbiosis" within the tick and further validation experiments are required to investigate how they are important in the vector competence of ticks. Understanding the mechanism of "pathogen-induced dysbiosis" on tick microbial composition may aid the discovery of intervention strategies for the control of emerging tick-borne infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulsalam Adegoke
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA; (A.A.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA; (A.A.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Cailyn Bobo
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA; (A.A.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| | - Muhammad Imran Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Aneela Zameer Durrani
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Sohail Sajid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan;
| | - Shahid Karim
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA; (A.A.); (D.K.); (C.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lado P, Luan B, Allerdice MEJ, Paddock CD, Karpathy SE, Klompen H. Integrating population genetic structure, microbiome, and pathogens presence data in Dermacentor variabilis. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9367. [PMID: 32704442 PMCID: PMC7350919 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) continue to emerge and re-emerge in several regions of the world, highlighting the need for novel and effective control strategies. The development of effective strategies requires a better understanding of TBDs ecology, and given the complexity of these systems, interdisciplinary approaches are required. In recent years, the microbiome of vectors has received much attention, mainly because associations between native microbes and pathogens may provide a new promising path towards the disruption of pathogen transmission. However, we still do not fully understand how host genetics and environmental factors interact to shape the microbiome of organisms, or how pathogenic microorganisms affect the microbiome and vice versa. The integration of different lines of evidence may be the key to improve our understanding of TBDs ecology. In that context, we generated microbiome and pathogen presence data for Dermacentor variabilis, and integrated those data sets with population genetic data, and metadata for the same individual tick specimens. Clustering and multivariate statistical methods were used to combine, analyze, and visualize data sets. Interpretation of the results is challenging, likely due to the low levels of genetic diversity and the high abundance of a few taxa in the microbiome. Francisella was dominant in almost all ticks, regardless of geography or sex. Nevertheless, our results showed that, overall, ticks from different geographic regions differ in their microbiome composition. Additionally, DNA of Rickettsia rhipicephali, R. montanensis, R. bellii, and Anaplasma spp., was detected in D. variabilis specimens. This is the first study that successfully generated microbiome, population genetics, and pathogen presence data from the same individual ticks, and that attempted to combine the different lines of evidence. The approaches and pre-processing steps used can be applied to a variety of taxa, and help better understand ecological processes in biological systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Lado
- Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Bo Luan
- Statistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Michelle E J Allerdice
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Christopher D Paddock
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Sandor E Karpathy
- Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Hans Klompen
- Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|