1
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Guo W, Zhu W, Jia L, Tao Y. Unique microbial communities of parasitic fleas on wild animals from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:40916-40924. [PMID: 38834927 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33885-8] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Fleas, one of the most significant ectoparasites, play a crucial role as vectors in spreading zoonotic diseases globally. The Qinghai Province, as part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is one of the provinces in China with the largest number of flea species. In this study, we characterized the microbial communities of eighty-five adult fleas, belonging to nineteen species within four families (Ceratophyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae, Leptopsyllidae, and Pulicidae). We identified a total of 1162 unique operational taxonomic units at the genus level, with flea-borne pathogens such as Wolbachia, Bartonella, Rickettsia being the members of top abundant taxa. Except for comparison between Ctenophthalmidae and Leptopsyllidae families, the analyses of both alpha- and beta- diversity indicators suggested that bacterial diversity varied among flea families. This could be attributed to flea phylogeny, which also influenced by their geographical sites and animal hosts. Results of Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) indicated that 29 genera in Ceratophylloidea, 11 genera in Ctenophthalmidae, 15 genera in Leptopsyllidae, and 22 genera in Pulicidae were significantly responsible for explaining the differences among the four flea families (linear discriminant analysis score > 2, P < 0.05). Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) analyses showed that the functional pathways varied significantly across flea families, which was supported by the significant correlation between the functional pathways and the microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Guo
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, 811602, China
| | - Wentao Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Luo Jia
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, 811602, China
| | - Yuanqing Tao
- Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, Xining, 811602, China.
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2
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Halle S, Hirshberg O, Manzi F, Wolinska J, Ben-Ami F. Coinfection frequency in water flea populations is a mere reflection of parasite diversity. Commun Biol 2024; 7:559. [PMID: 38734859 PMCID: PMC11088698 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06176-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In nature, parasite species often coinfect the same host. Yet, it is not clear what drives the natural dynamics of coinfection prevalence. The prevalence of coinfections might be affected by interactions among coinfecting species, or simply derive from parasite diversity. Identifying the relative impact of these parameters is crucial for understanding patterns of coinfections. We studied the occurrence and likelihood of coinfections in natural populations of water fleas (Daphnia magna). Coinfection prevalence was within the bounds expected by chance and parasite diversity had a strong positive effect on the likelihood of coinfections. Additionally, coinfection prevalence increased over the season and became as common as a single infection. Our results demonstrate how patterns of coinfection, and particularly their temporal variation, are affected by overlapping epidemics of different parasites. We suggest that monitoring parasite diversity can help predict where and when coinfection prevalence will be high, potentially leading to increased health risks to their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snir Halle
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
| | - Ofir Hirshberg
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Florent Manzi
- Department of Evolutionary and Integrative Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Justyna Wolinska
- Department of Evolutionary and Integrative Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frida Ben-Ami
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
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3
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Arai H, Ueda M, Hirano T, Akizuki N, Lin S, Hanh DK, Widada J, Rohman MS, Nakai M, Kunimi Y, Vang LV, Wijonarko A, Inoue MN. Conserved infections and reproductive phenotypes of Wolbachia symbionts in Asian tortrix moths. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13219. [PMID: 38070178 PMCID: PMC10866051 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Wolbachia is a ubiquitous endosymbiotic bacterium that manipulates insect reproduction. A notable feature of Wolbachia is male killing (MK), whereby sons of infected females are killed during development; however, the evolutionary processes by which Wolbachia acquired the MK ability remain unclear. The tea tortrix moth Homona magnanima (Tortricidae) harbours three non-MK Wolbachia strains (wHm-a, wHm-b and wHm-c) and an MK strain wHm-t. Although wHm-t and wHm-c are closely related, only wHm-t has an MK-associated prophage region. To understand the evolutionary processes underlying the emergence of MK wHm-t, we examined Wolbachia infections and phenotypes in 62 tortricid species collected from 39 localities across Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Indonesia. PCR assays detected wHm-c relatives in 51 species and triple infection of wHm-a, wHm-b and wHm-c in 31 species. Apart from Taiwanese H. magnanima, no species exhibited the MK phenotype and were positive for the wHm-t-specific prophage. While wHm-t infection was dominant in Taiwanese H. magnanima, wHm-a, wHm-b and wHm-c were dominant in Japanese H. magnanima populations. These results suggest that wHm-a, wHm-b and wHm-c strains descended from a common ancestor with repeated infection loss and that wHm-t evolved from the wHm-c acquiring MK ability in allopatric populations of H. magnanima.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Arai
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Masatoshi Ueda
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Tatsuya Hirano
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Naoya Akizuki
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Shiou‐Ruei Lin
- Crop Environment SectionTea and Beverage Research Station, Ministry of AgricultureTaoyuan CityTaiwan
| | | | - Jaka Widada
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of AgricultureUniversitas Gadjah MadaYogyakartaIndonesia
| | - Muhammad Saifur Rohman
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of AgricultureUniversitas Gadjah MadaYogyakartaIndonesia
| | - Madoka Nakai
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Yasuhisa Kunimi
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Le Van Vang
- College of AgricultureCan Tho UniversityCan Tho CityVietnam
| | - Arman Wijonarko
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of AgricultureUniversitas Gadjah MadaYogyakartaIndonesia
| | - Maki N. Inoue
- United Graduate School of Agricultural ScienceTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyoJapan
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4
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Brinker P, Chen F, Chehida YB, Beukeboom LW, Fontaine MC, Salles JF. Microbiome composition is shaped by geography and population structure in the parasitic wasp Asobara japonica, but not in the presence of the endosymbiont Wolbachia. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:6644-6658. [PMID: 36125236 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The microbial community composition is crucial for diverse life-history traits in many organisms. However, we still lack a sufficient understanding of how the host microbiome is acquired and maintained, a pressing issue in times of global environmental change. Here we investigated to what extent host genotype, environmental conditions, and the endosymbiont Wolbachia influence the bacterial communities in the parasitic wasp Asobara japonica. We sampled multiple wasp populations across 10 locations in their natural distribution range in Japan and sequenced the host genome (whole genome sequencing) and microbiome (16S rRNA gene). We compared the host population structure and bacterial community composition of wasps that reproduce sexually and are uninfected with Wolbachia with wasps that reproduce asexually and carry Wolbachia. The bacterial communities in asexual wasps were highly similar due to a strong effect of Wolbachia rather than host genomic structure. In contrast, in sexual wasps, bacterial communities appear primarily shaped by a combination of population structure and environmental conditions. Our research highlights that multiple factors shape the bacterial communities of an organism and that the presence of a single endosymbiont can strongly alter their compositions. This information is crucial to understanding how organisms and their associated microbiome will react in the face of environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pina Brinker
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Fangying Chen
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yacine Ben Chehida
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Leo W Beukeboom
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael C Fontaine
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Centre de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Joana Falcao Salles
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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5
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Štarhová Serbina L, Gajski D, Pafčo B, Zurek L, Malenovský I, Nováková E, Schuler H, Dittmer J. Microbiome of pear psyllids: A tale about closely related species sharing their endosymbionts. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:5788-5808. [PMID: 36054322 PMCID: PMC10086859 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Psyllids are phloem-feeding insects that can transmit plant pathogens such as phytoplasmas, intracellular bacteria causing numerous plant diseases worldwide. Their microbiomes are essential for insect physiology and may also influence the capacity of vectors to transmit pathogens. Using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding, we compared the microbiomes of three sympatric psyllid species associated with pear trees in Central Europe. All three species are able to transmit 'Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri', albeit with different efficiencies. Our results revealed potential relationships between insect biology and microbiome composition that varied during psyllid ontogeny and between generations in Cacopsylla pyri and C. pyricola, as well as between localities in C. pyri. In contrast, no variations related to psyllid life cycle and geography were detected in C. pyrisuga. In addition to the primary endosymbiont Carsonella ruddii, we detected another highly abundant endosymbiont (unclassified Enterobacteriaceae). C. pyri and C. pyricola shared the same taxon of Enterobacteriaceae which is related to endosymbionts harboured by other psyllid species from various families. In contrast, C. pyrisuga carried a different Enterobacteriaceae taxon related to the genus Sodalis. Our study provides new insights into host-symbiont interactions in psyllids and highlights the importance of host biology and geography in shaping microbiome structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliya Štarhová Serbina
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Domagoj Gajski
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Pafčo
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Zurek
- Central European Institute of Technology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Igor Malenovský
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Nováková
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Hannes Schuler
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.,Competence Centre for Plant Health, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Jessica Dittmer
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.,Université d'Angers, Institut Agro, INRAE, IRHS, SFR Quasav, Angers, France
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6
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Manvell C, Berman H, Callahan B, Breitschwerdt E, Swain W, Ferris K, Maggi R, Lashnits E. Identification of microbial taxa present in Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) reveals widespread co-infection and associations with vector phylogeny. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:398. [PMID: 36316689 PMCID: PMC9623975 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05487-1] [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: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, is the most common ectoparasite of cats and dogs worldwide. As a cause of flea allergy dermatitis and a vector for two genera of zoonotic pathogens (Bartonella and Rickettsia spp.), the effect of the C. felis microbiome on pathogen transmission and vector survival is of substantial medical importance to both human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to assay the pathogenic and commensal eubacterial microbial communities of individual C. felis from multiple geographic locations and analyze these findings by location, qPCR pathogen prevalence, and flea genetic diversity. METHODS 16S Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) was utilized to sequence the microbiome of fleas collected from free-roaming cats, and the cox1 gene was used for flea phylogenetic analysis. NGS data were analyzed for 168 individual fleas from seven locations within the US and UK. Given inconsistency in the genera historically reported to constitute the C. felis microbiome, we utilized the decontam prevalence method followed by literature review to separate contaminants from true microbiome members. RESULTS NGS identified a single dominant and cosmopolitan amplicon sequence variant (ASV) from Rickettsia and Wolbachia while identifying one dominant Bartonella clarridgeiae and one dominant Bartonella henselae/Bartonella koehlerae ASV. Multiple less common ASVs from these genera were detected within restricted geographical ranges. Co-detection of two or more genera (Bartonella, Rickettsia, and/or Wolbachia) or multiple ASVs from a single genus in a single flea was common. Achromobacter, Peptoniphilus, and Rhodococcus were identified as additional candidate members of the C. felis microbiome on the basis of decontam analysis and literature review. Ctenocephalides felis phylogenetic diversity as assessed by the cox1 gene fell within currently characterized clades while identifying seven novel haplotypes. NGS sensitivity and specificity for Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. DNA detection were compared to targeted qPCR. CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm the widespread coinfection of fleas with multiple bacterial genera and strains, proposing three additional microbiome members. The presence of minor Bartonella, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia ASVs was found to vary by location and flea haplotype. These findings have important implications for flea-borne pathogen transmission and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Manvell
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Hanna Berman
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Benjamin Callahan
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Edward Breitschwerdt
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - William Swain
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
- School of Veterinary Medicine, One Health Institute, University of California, Davis, CA USA
| | - Kelli Ferris
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Ricardo Maggi
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Erin Lashnits
- Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
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7
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Wolbachia infection dynamics in a natural population of the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyri (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) across its seasonal generations. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16502. [PMID: 36192576 PMCID: PMC9529970 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20968-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia is one of the most abundant intracellular symbionts of arthropods and has profound effects on host biology. Wolbachia transmission and host phenotypes often depend on its density within the host, which can be affected by multiple biotic and abiotic factors. However, very few studies measured Wolbachia density in natural host populations. Here, we describe Wolbachia in the pear psyllid Cacopsylla pyri from three populations in the Czech Republic. Using phylogenetic analyses based on wsp and multilocus sequence typing genes, we demonstrate that C. pyri harbours three new Wolbachia strains from supergroup B. A fourth Wolbachia strain from supergroup A was also detected in parasitised immatures of C. pyri, but likely came from a hymenopteran parasitoid. To obtain insights into natural Wolbachia infection dynamics, we quantified Wolbachia in psyllid individuals from the locality with the highest prevalence across an entire year, spanning several seasonal generations of the host. All tested females were infected and Wolbachia density remained stable across the entire period, suggesting a highly efficient vertical transmission and little influence from the environment and different host generations. In contrast, we observed a tendency towards reduced Wolbachia density in males which may suggest sex-related differences in Wolbachia-psyllid interactions.
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8
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Sridhar R, Dittmar K, Williams HM. USING SURFACE WASHING TO REMOVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT FROM FLEA MICROBIOME ANALYSIS. J Parasitol 2022; 108:245-253. [PMID: 35687318 DOI: 10.1645/21-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial metabarcoding is a common method to study the biology of blood-feeding arthropods and identify patterns of potential pathogen transmission. Before DNA extraction, specimens are often surface washed to remove environmental contaminants. While surface washing is common, its effects on microbial diversity remain unclear. We characterized the microbiome of the flea species Ceratophyllus idius, an avian ectoparasite, and a potential vector of pathogens, using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. Half of the nests from which fleas were collected were subjected to an environmental manipulation in which nesting materials were periodically replaced. In a crossed study design we surface washed half of the flea samples from each environmental condition to produce 4 experimental conditions. Environmental manipulations resulted in significant differences in the diversity and structure of the flea microbiome, but these differences were unapparent when specimens were surface washed. Furthermore, differential abundance testing of the experimental groups revealed that surface washing predominantly affected the abundance of bacterial groups that are characterized as environmental contaminants. These findings suggest that environmental changes primarily affect the surface microbiome of arthropods and that surface washing is a useful tool to reduce the footprint of the external microbiome on analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Sridhar
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260.,College of Medicine, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York, Syracuse, New York 13210
| | - Katharina Dittmar
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260
| | - Heather M Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260.,Department of Environment and Sustainability, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260
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9
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Egan SL, Taylor CL, Banks PB, Northover AS, Ahlstrom LA, Ryan UM, Irwin PJ, Oskam CL. The bacterial biome of ticks and their wildlife hosts at the urban-wildland interface. Microb Genom 2021; 7. [PMID: 34913864 PMCID: PMC8767321 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in sequencing technologies have revealed the complex and diverse microbial communities present in ticks (Ixodida). As obligate blood-feeding arthropods, ticks are responsible for a number of infectious diseases that can affect humans, livestock, domestic animals and wildlife. While cases of human tick-borne diseases continue to increase in the northern hemisphere, there has been relatively little recognition of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in Australia. Over the past 5 years, studies using high-throughput sequencing technologies have shown that Australian ticks harbour unique and diverse bacterial communities. In the present study, free-ranging wildlife (n=203), representing ten mammal species, were sampled from urban and peri-urban areas in New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA). Bacterial metabarcoding targeting the 16S rRNA locus was used to characterize the microbiomes of three sample types collected from wildlife: blood, ticks and tissue samples. Further sequence information was obtained for selected taxa of interest. Six tick species were identified from wildlife: Amblyomma triguttatum, Ixodes antechini, Ixodes australiensis, Ixodes holocyclus, Ixodes tasmani and Ixodes trichosuri. Bacterial 16S rRNA metabarcoding was performed on 536 samples and 65 controls, generating over 100 million sequences. Alpha diversity was significantly different between the three sample types, with tissue samples displaying the highest alpha diversity (P<0.001). Proteobacteria was the most abundant taxon identified across all sample types (37.3 %). Beta diversity analysis and ordination revealed little overlap between the three sample types (P<0.001). Taxa of interest included Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, Borrelia, Coxiellaceae, Francisella, Midichloria, Mycoplasma and Rickettsia. Anaplasmataceae bacteria were detected in 17.7% (95/536) of samples and included Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Neoehrlichia species. In samples from NSW, 'Ca. Neoehrlichia australis', 'Ca. Neoehrlichia arcana', Neoehrlichia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. were identified. A putative novel Ehrlichia sp. was identified from WA and Anaplasma platys was identified from QLD. Nine rodent tissue samples were positive for a novel Borrelia sp. that formed a phylogenetically distinct clade separate from the Lyme Borrelia and relapsing fever groups. This novel clade included recently identified rodent-associated Borrelia genotypes, which were described from Spain and North America. Bartonella was identified in 12.9% (69/536) of samples. Over half of these positive samples were obtained from black rats (Rattus rattus), and the dominant bacterial species identified were Bartonella coopersplainsensis and Bartonella queenslandensis. The results from the present study show the value of using unbiased high-throughput sequencing applied to samples collected from wildlife. In addition to understanding the sylvatic cycle of known vector-associated pathogens, surveillance work is important to ensure preparedness for potential zoonotic spillover events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhon L Egan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Casey L Taylor
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Peter B Banks
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Amy S Northover
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Liisa A Ahlstrom
- Elanco Animal Health, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, 2113, Australia
| | - Una M Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Peter J Irwin
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.,School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Charlotte L Oskam
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
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10
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Flatau R, Segoli M, Hawlena H. Wolbachia Endosymbionts of Fleas Occur in All Females but Rarely in Males and Do Not Show Evidence of Obligatory Relationships, Fitness Effects, or Sex-Distorting Manipulations. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:649248. [PMID: 33776981 PMCID: PMC7994249 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.649248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread temporal and spatial persistence of endosymbionts in arthropod host populations, despite potential conflicts with their hosts and fluctuating environmental conditions, is puzzling. Here, we disentangled three main mechanisms that are commonly proposed to explain such persistence, namely, obligatory relationships, in which the host is fully dependent on its endosymbiont, fitness advantages conferred by the endosymbiont, and reproductive manipulations imposed by the endosymbiont. Our model system reflects an extreme case, in which the Wolbachia endosymbiont persists in all female flea hosts but rarely in male ones. We cured fleas of both sexes of Wolbachia but found no indications for either lower reproduction, offspring survival, or a change in the offspring sex ratio, compared to Wolbacia-infected fleas. These results do not support any of the suggested mechanisms. We highlight future directions to advance our understanding of endosymbiont persistence in fleas, as well as in other model systems, with extreme sex-differences in endosymbiont persistence. Insights from such studies are predicted to shed light on the evolution and ecology of arthropod-endosymbiont interactions in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Flatau
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Michal Segoli
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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11
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Cortese L, Beall M, Buono F, Buch J, Pacifico L, Neola B, Palatucci AT, Tyrrell P, Fioretti A, Breitschwerdt EB, Veneziano V, Chandrashekar R, Piantedosi D. Distribution and risk factors of canine haemotropic mycoplasmas in hunting dogs from southern Italy. Vet Microbiol 2020; 251:108910. [PMID: 33160194 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc) and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum" (CMhp) are the main haemoplasma species known to infect dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of haemoplasma species infections in hunting dogs from southern Italy and assess related risk factors. 1,433 hunting dogs living in Campania region were tested by qPCR assay. The prevalence was 19.9 %; 13.1 % for Mhc and 11.4 % for CMhp; 4.6 % showed a coinfection with both haemoplasma species. Statistical analysis revealed living in Salerno province (Mhc: OR 3.72; CMhp: OR 2.74), hound (Mhc: OR 5.26; CMhp: OR 8.46) and mixed breed (Mhc: OR 3.38; CMhp: OR 2.80), rural environment (Mhc: OR 12.58; CMhp: OR 10.38), wild mammal hunting (Mhc: OR 8.73; CMhp: OR 8.32), cohabitation with other animals (Mhc: OR 2.82; CMhp: OR 2.78) and large pack size (Mhc: OR 2.96; CMhp: OR 1.61) as risk factors for haemoplasmas. Male gender (OR 1.44) and tick infestation history (OR 1.40) represented risk factors only for Mhc, while adult age (2-7 years - OR 2.01; > 7 years - OR 1.84) and large body size (OR 1.48) were associated only to CMhp. Mhc infection was significantly associated to Babesia vogeli (p < 0.05) and Hepatozoon canis (p < 0.001), while CMhp with H. canis (p < 0.001). This study adds information on haemoplasma species distribution in hunting dogs in southern Italy. Outdoor lifestyle and contact with wild fauna, through greater exposure to tick infestation, or possibly wounds acquired during hunting or fighting, could be factors contributing to haemoplasma infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Cortese
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - M Beall
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME, 04092, USA
| | - F Buono
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - J Buch
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME, 04092, USA
| | - L Pacifico
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy.
| | - B Neola
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione, Servizio di Sanità Animale, Azienda Sanitaria Locale, Caserta, Italy
| | - A T Palatucci
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - P Tyrrell
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME, 04092, USA
| | - A Fioretti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - E B Breitschwerdt
- Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - V Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | | | - D Piantedosi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
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12
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Diarra AZ, Kone AK, Doumbo Niare S, Laroche M, Diatta G, Atteynine SA, Coulibaly M, Sangare AK, Kouriba B, Djimde A, Dabo A, Sagara I, Davoust B, Ranque S, Thera MA, Raoult D, Doumbo OK, Parola P. Molecular Detection of Microorganisms Associated with Small Mammals and Their Ectoparasites in Mali. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:2542-2551. [PMID: 33146105 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Small mammals are the natural reservoirs for many zoonotic pathogens. Using molecular tools, we assessed the prevalence of bacteria and protozoans in small mammals and their ectoparasites in Faladjè, Bougouni, and Bamoko, Mali. A total of 130 small mammals belonging to 10 different species were captured, of which 74 (56.9%) were infested by ectoparasites, including Laelaps echidnina, Xenopsylla cheopis, Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, and Haemaphysalis spp. nymphs. DNA of Bartonella was found in 14/75 (18.7%), 6/48 (12.5%), and 3/7 (42.8%) small mammals from Faladjè, Bougouni, and Bamako, respectively. In Faladjè, Bartonella DNA was detected in 31/68 (45.6%) of L. echidnina and 14/22 (63.6%) of X. cheopis. In Bougouni, it was found in 2/26 (7.7%) of L. echidnina and 10/42 (23.8%) of X. cheopis. The sequences of Bartonella obtained from small mammals were close to those of Bartonella mastomydis, Bartonella elizabethae, and uncultured Bartonella spp. In Faladjè, Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected in 64.4% (29/45) of Haemaphysalis spp. ticks, 4.5% (2/44) of Mastomys erythroleucus, 12.5% (1/8) of Praomys daltoni, and 1.5% (1/68) of L. echidnina. We found DNA of Wolbachia in X. cheopis from Faladjè and DNA of Rickettsia africae and Ehrlichia ruminantium in Am. variegatum from Bougouni. The results of our study show that several small mammal species harbor and may serve as potential reservoirs of Bartonella spp., likely to play a major role in the maintenance, circulation, and potential transmission of bacteria in Mali. The pathogenicity of these bacteria for humans or animals remains to be demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adama Zan Diarra
- Aix Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.,Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali.,IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Abdoulaye Kassoum Kone
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Safiatou Doumbo Niare
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Maureen Laroche
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Georges Diatta
- VITROME Dakar, Campus International IRD-UCAD Hann, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Maïmouna Coulibaly
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoul Karim Sangare
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali.,Centre d'Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Bamako, Mali
| | - Bouréma Kouriba
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali.,Centre d'Infectiologie Charles Mérieux, Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye Djimde
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Abdoulaye Dabo
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Issaka Sagara
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Bernard Davoust
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Ranque
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Mahamadou A Thera
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Didier Raoult
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Ogobara K Doumbo
- Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases (DEAP), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UMI 3189 "Environnement, Santé, Sociétés", University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali
| | - Philippe Parola
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
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13
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Brown JJ, Rodríguez-Ruano SM, Poosakkannu A, Batani G, Schmidt JO, Roachell W, Zima J, Hypša V, Nováková E. Ontogeny, species identity, and environment dominate microbiome dynamics in wild populations of kissing bugs (Triatominae). MICROBIOME 2020; 8:146. [PMID: 33040738 PMCID: PMC7549230 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00921-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kissing bugs (Triatominae) are blood-feeding insects best known as the vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. Considering the high epidemiological relevance of these vectors, their biology and bacterial symbiosis remains surprisingly understudied. While previous investigations revealed generally low individual complexity but high among-individual variability of the triatomine microbiomes, any consistent microbiome determinants have not yet been identified across multiple Triatominae species. METHODS To obtain a more comprehensive view of triatomine microbiomes, we investigated the host-microbiome relationship of five Triatoma species sampled from white-throated woodrat (Neotoma albigula) nests in multiple locations across the USA. We applied optimised 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding with a novel 18S rRNA gene blocking primer to a set of 170 T. cruzi-negative individuals across all six instars. RESULTS Triatomine gut microbiome composition is strongly influenced by three principal factors: ontogeny, species identity, and the environment. The microbiomes are characterised by significant loss in bacterial diversity throughout ontogenetic development. First instars possess the highest bacterial diversity while adult microbiomes are routinely dominated by a single taxon. Primarily, the bacterial genus Dietzia dominates late-stage nymphs and adults of T. rubida, T. protracta, and T. lecticularia but is not present in the phylogenetically more distant T. gerstaeckeri and T. sanguisuga. Species-specific microbiome composition, particularly pronounced in early instars, is further modulated by locality-specific effects. In addition, pathogenic bacteria of the genus Bartonella, acquired from the vertebrate hosts, are an abundant component of Triatoma microbiomes. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to demonstrate deterministic patterns in microbiome composition among all life stages and multiple Triatoma species. We hypothesise that triatomine microbiome assemblages are produced by species- and life stage-dependent uptake of environmental bacteria and multiple indirect transmission strategies that promote bacterial transfer between individuals. Altogether, our study highlights the complexity of Triatominae symbiosis with bacteria and warrant further investigation to understand microbiome function in these important vectors. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel J. Brown
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Anbu Poosakkannu
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Giampiero Batani
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Walter Roachell
- US Army Public Health Command-Central, JBSA Fort Sam, Houston, TX USA
| | - Jan Zima
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Hypša
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Nováková
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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14
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Eidelman A, Cohen C, Navarro-Castilla Á, Filler S, Gutiérrez R, Bar-Shira E, Shahar N, Garrido M, Halle S, Romach Y, Barja I, Tasker S, Harrus S, Friedman A, Hawlena H. The dynamics between limited-term and lifelong coinfecting bacterial parasites in wild rodent hosts. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.203562. [PMID: 31285244 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.203562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between coinfecting parasites may take various forms, either direct or indirect, facilitative or competitive, and may be mediated by either bottom-up or top-down mechanisms. Although each form of interaction leads to different evolutionary and ecological outcomes, it is challenging to tease them apart throughout the infection period. To establish the first step towards a mechanistic understanding of the interactions between coinfecting limited-term bacterial parasites and lifelong bacterial parasites, we studied the coinfection of Bartonella sp. (limited-term) and Mycoplasma sp. (lifelong), which commonly co-occur in wild rodents. We infected Bartonella- and Mycoplasma-free rodents with each species, and simultaneously with both, and quantified the infection dynamics and host responses. Bartonella benefited from the interaction; its infection load decreased more slowly in coinfected rodents than in rodents infected with Bartonella alone. There were no indications for bottom-up effects, but coinfected rodents experienced various changes, depending on the infection stage, in their body mass, stress levels and activity pattern, which may further affect bacterial replication and transmission. Interestingly, the infection dynamics and changes in the average coinfected rodent traits were more similar to the chronic effects of Mycoplasma infection, whereas coinfection uniquely impaired the host's physiological and behavioral stability. These results suggest that parasites with distinct life history strategies may interact, and their interaction may be asymmetric, non-additive, multifaceted and dynamic through time. Because multiple, sometimes contrasting, forms of interactions are simultaneously at play and their relative importance alternates throughout the course of infection, the overall outcome may change under different ecological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Eidelman
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Carmit Cohen
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel.,Infection Prevention & Control Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Álvaro Navarro-Castilla
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Autonomous of Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Serina Filler
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford BS40 5DU, UK
| | - Ricardo Gutiérrez
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Enav Bar-Shira
- Section of Immunology, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Naama Shahar
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Mario Garrido
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Snir Halle
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
| | - Yoav Romach
- The Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Isabel Barja
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Autonomous of Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain.,Center for Research on Biodiversity and Global Change (CIBC-UAM), University Autonomous of Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
| | - Séverine Tasker
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford BS40 5DU, UK
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Aharon Friedman
- Section of Immunology, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion 8499000, Israel
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15
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Flatau R, Segoli M, Khokhlova I, Hawlena H. Wolbachia's role in mediating its flea's reproductive success differs according to flea origin. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 94:5068685. [PMID: 30107579 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endosymbionts-microbes that live within and engage in prolonged and intimate associations with their hosts-are gaining recognition for their direct impact on plant and animal reproduction. Here we used the overlooked Wolbachia-flea system to explore the possibility that endosymbionts may also play a role as mediators in shaping the reproductive success of their hosts. We simultaneously quantified the Wolbachia density in field- and laboratory-originated fleas that fed and mated on rodents for either 5 or 10 days and assessed their body size and current reproductive success. By combining multigroup analysis and model selection approaches, we teased apart the contribution of the direct effects of the flea's physiological age and body size and the mediation effect of its Wolbachia endosymbionts on flea reproductive success, and we showed that the latter was stronger than the former. However, interestingly, the mediation effect was manifested only in laboratory-originated fleas, for which the increase in Wolbachia with age translated into lower reproductive success. These results suggest that some well-supported phenomena, such as aging effects, may be driven by endosymbionts and show once again that the role of endosymbionts in shaping the reproductive success of their host depends on their selective environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Flatau
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer campus, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Michal Segoli
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer campus, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Irina Khokhlova
- Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer campus, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boqer campus, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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16
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Li H, Li T, Qu J. Stochastic processes govern bacterial communities from the blood of pikas and from their arthropod vectors. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2019; 94:4990947. [PMID: 29722798 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vector-borne microbes influence pathogen transmission and blood microbiomes, thereby affecting the emergence of infectious diseases. Thus, understanding the relationship between host and vector microbiomes is of importance. In this study, we investigated the bacterial community composition, diversity and assembly of the flea (Rhadinopsylla dahurica vicina), torsalo (Hypoderma curzonial), and the blood and gut of their shared pika host, Ochotona curzoniae. Bartonella, Sphingomonas and Bradyrhizobium were enriched in blood, while Wolbachia and Fusobacterium were more abundant in fleas and torsaloes. Most of potential pathogenic microbes (belonging to Fusobacterium, Rickettsia, Kingella, Porphyromonas, Bartonella and Mycoplasma) were present in the blood of pikas and their vectors. Blood communities were more similar to those from fleas than other sample types and were independent of host factors or geographical sites. Notably, blood microbes originate mainly from fleas rather than gut or torsaloes. Interestingly, the community assembly of blood, fleas or torsaloes was primarily governed by stochastic processes, while the gut microbiome was determined by deterministic processes. Ecological drift plays a dominant role in the assembly of blood and flea microbiomes. These results reflect the difficulty for predicting and regulating the microbial ecology of fleas for the prevention of potential microbiome-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Li
- Institute of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tongtong Li
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jiapeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai 810008, China.,Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology in Cold Region, Qinghai 810008, China
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17
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Brinker P, Fontaine MC, Beukeboom LW, Falcao Salles J. Host, Symbionts, and the Microbiome: The Missing Tripartite Interaction. Trends Microbiol 2019; 27:480-488. [PMID: 30857919 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Symbiosis between microbial associates and a host is a ubiquitous feature of life on earth, modulating host phenotypes. In addition to endosymbionts, organisms harbour a collection of host-associated microbes, the microbiome that can impact important host traits. In this opinion article we argue that the mutual influences of the microbiome and endosymbionts, as well as their combined influence on the host, are still understudied. Focusing on the endosymbiont Wolbachia, we present growing evidence indicating that host phenotypic effects are exerted in interaction with the remainder microbiome and the host. We thus advocate that only through an integrated approach that considers multiple interacting partners and environmental influences will we be able to gain a better understanding of host-microbe associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pina Brinker
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Michael C Fontaine
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, The Netherlands; MIVEGEC, UMR IRD, CNRS, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Leo W Beukeboom
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Joana Falcao Salles
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
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18
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Gutiérrez R, Cohen C, Flatau R, Marcos-Hadad E, Garrido M, Halle S, Nachum-Biala Y, Covo S, Hawlena H, Harrus S. Untangling the knots: Co-infection and diversity ofBartonellafrom wild gerbils and their associated fleas. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:4787-4807. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Gutiérrez
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Rehovot Israel
| | - Carmit Cohen
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology; Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Midreshet Ben-Gurion Israel
| | - Ron Flatau
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology; Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Midreshet Ben-Gurion Israel
| | - Evgeniya Marcos-Hadad
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology; Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Rehovot Israel
| | - Mario Garrido
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology; Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Midreshet Ben-Gurion Israel
| | - Snir Halle
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology; Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Midreshet Ben-Gurion Israel
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Rehovot Israel
| | - Shay Covo
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology; Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Rehovot Israel
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology; Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Midreshet Ben-Gurion Israel
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Rehovot Israel
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19
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Qu J, Fletcher QE, Réale D, Li W, Zhang Y. Independence between coping style and stress reactivity in plateau pika. Physiol Behav 2018; 197:1-8. [PMID: 30236525 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The concept of coping style represents the way individual animals react to a stressful situation, both behaviourally and neurophysiologically. Over the last decades coping style has been linked to the development of research on animal personality. Based on this concept, we should find a proactive-reactive continuum in animal populations, with proactive individuals being fast explorer, bold, aggressive, and show high sympathetic reactivity (higher heart rate), as well as low hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical (PHA) axis reactivity to external stressor (higher plasma glucocorticoid level). At the other extreme, shy, lowly aggressive, reactive individuals should be slow in their exploration, and show a low sympathetic reactivity and a high HPA axis reactivity. However, a recent two-tier model proposed that coping style and stress reactivity should be independent of each other. In this study, we tested the two-tier model in a wild plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) population on the Tibetan Plateau, by quantifying the associations between several behavioural and physiological traits at the among- and within-individual levels. We repeatedly measured exploration, docility, boldness, heart rate and plasma cortisol concentration in individuals between April and September of 2013. All traits tested were repeatable. At the among-individual level, all behavioural traits were correlated with each other and with heart rate, but were independent of both basal level and variation of plasma cortisol concentration. Most correlations were negligible at the within-individual level. In support of the two-tier model, these results suggest that coping style (i.e. behaviour and heart rate associations) is independent of stress reactivity (i.e. glucocorticoid reactivity) in that species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai 810008, China; Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Restoration Ecology in Cold Region, Qinghai 810008, China.
| | - Quinn E Fletcher
- Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Denis Réale
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Wenjing Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai 810008, China
| | - Yanming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qinghai 810008, China.
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20
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Cohen C, Shemesh M, Garrido M, Messika I, Einav M, Khokhlova I, Tasker S, Hawlena H. Haemoplasmas in wild rodents: Routes of transmission and infection dynamics. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:3714-3726. [PMID: 30074652 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The way that some parasites and pathogens persist in the hostile environment of their host for long periods remains to be resolved. Here, longitudinal field surveys were combined with laboratory experiments to investigate the routes of transmission and infection dynamics of such a pathogen-a wild rodent haemotropic bacterium, specifically a Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacterium. Fleaborne transmission, direct rodent-to-rodent transmission and vertical transmission from fleas or rodents to their offspring were experimentally quantified, and indications were found that the main route of bacterial transmission is direct, although its rate of successful transmission is low (~20%). The bacterium's temporal dynamics was then compared in the field to that observed under a controlled infection experiment in field-infected and laboratory-infected rodents, and indications were found, under all conditions, that the bacterium reached its peak infection level after 25-45 days and then decreased to low bacterial loads, which persist for the rodent's lifetime. These findings suggest that the bacterium relies on persistency with low bacterial loads for long-term coexistence with its rodent host, having both conceptual and applied implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmit Cohen
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Merav Shemesh
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Mario Garrido
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Irit Messika
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Monica Einav
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Irina Khokhlova
- Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Séverine Tasker
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford, UK
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
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21
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Ge Y, Guo G, Ge B, Yin H, Yin H. The spleen microbiota of small wild mammals reveals distinct patterns with tick-borne bacteria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006499. [PMID: 29975692 PMCID: PMC6033388 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wild mammals serve as reservoirs for a variety of microbes and play an important role in the enzootic cycles of these microbes. Some of them are vector-borne bacteria in the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia of the order Rickettsiales, which can cause febrile illnesses in human beings as well as animals. Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. and many spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia spp. are transmitted to mammalian hosts by tick vectors during blood meals. As a powerful sequencing method, the next generation sequencing can reveal the complexity of bacterial communities in humans and animals. Compared with limited studies on blood microbiota, however, much fewer studies have been carried out on spleen microbiota, which is very scarce in wild mammals. Chongming Island is the third biggest island in China. It was unclear whether there were any vector-borne bacteria in Chongming Island. In the present study, we explored the bacterial microbiota in the spleens of wild mice and shrews from the rural areas of Chongming Island and investigated the prevalence of vector-borne bacteria. Methodology/Principal findings Genomic DNAs were extracted from the spleen samples of 35 mice and shrews. The 16S rDNA V3-V4 regions of the DNA extracts were amplified by PCR and subjected to the 16S rDNA-targeted metagenomic sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. All the 35 spleen samples obtained data with sufficient coverage (99.7–99.9%) for analysis. More than 1,300,000 sequences were obtained after quality control and classified into a total of 1,967 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) clustered at 97% similarity. The two most abundant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes and Proteobacteria according to the analysis of rarefied sequences. Among the bacterial communities detected in this study, Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Coxiella were adjacently clustered by hierarchical analysis. Significant differences in many bacterial features between Anaplasma-positive and Anaplasma-negative samples were identified by LEfSe analysis and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, suggesting that the Anaplasma-infection of small wild mammals was associated with a specific pattern of spleen microbiota. Conclusions/Significance Our study has comprehensively characterized the complex bacterial profiles in the spleens of wild mice and shrews from Chongming Island, Shanghai city. This work has revealed distinct spleen bacterial communities associated with tick-borne bacteria in wild animals. The detection of tick-borne bacteria highlights the risk of contracting pathogens with public health importance upon tick-exposure in the studied areas. In this study, the 16S rDNA-targeted metagenomic sequencing was used to determine the bacterial community and diversity in the spleens of small wild mammals from China. The 16S rDNAs were amplified from the spleen genomic DNAs of 35 small wild mice and shrews and sequenced by Illumina MiSeq technology. More than 1,300,000 sequences were obtained after quality control and classified into a total of 1,967 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) clustered at 97% similarity. The two most abundant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes and Proteobacteria according to the analysis of rarefied sequences. Within the bacterial communities detected in this study, vector-borne bacteria, Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Coxiella, were adjacently clustered by hierarchical analysis. Significant differences in many bacterial features between Anaplasma-positive and Anaplasma-negative samples were observed, suggesting that the infection of small wild mammals with Anaplasma is associated with a distinct pattern of spleen microbiota. This study has revealed the complex bacterial profiles in the spleens of wild mice and shrews. The detection of vector-borne bacteria highlights the role of wild mice and shrews as animal reservoirs with potential public health importance in the studied areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ge
- Department of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Guangpu Guo
- Departement of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Baoxue Ge
- Department of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongmei Yin
- Department of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Yin
- The State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gansu, China
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22
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Hinnebusch BJ, Jarrett CO, Bland DM. "Fleaing" the Plague: Adaptations of Yersinia pestis to Its Insect Vector That Lead to Transmission. Annu Rev Microbiol 2018; 71:215-232. [PMID: 28886687 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-090816-093521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Interest in arthropod-borne pathogens focuses primarily on how they cause disease in humans. How they produce a transmissible infection in their arthropod host is just as critical to their life cycle, however. Yersinia pestis adopts a unique life stage in the digestive tract of its flea vector, characterized by rapid formation of a bacterial biofilm that is enveloped in a complex extracellular polymeric substance. Localization and adherence of the biofilm to the flea foregut is essential for transmission. Here, we review the molecular and genetic mechanisms of these processes and present a comparative evaluation and updated model of two related transmission mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Joseph Hinnebusch
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana 59840;
| | - Clayton O Jarrett
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana 59840;
| | - David M Bland
- Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana 59840;
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23
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Messika I, Garrido M, Kedem H, China V, Gavish Y, Dong Q, Fuqua C, Clay K, Hawlena H. From endosymbionts to host communities: factors determining the reproductive success of arthropod vectors. Oecologia 2017; 184:859-871. [PMID: 28721523 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3906-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating the factors determining reproductive success has challenged scientists since Darwin, but the exact pathways that shape the evolution of life history traits by connecting extrinsic (e.g., landscape structure) and intrinsic (e.g., female's age and endosymbionts) factors and reproductive success have rarely been studied. Here we collected female fleas from wild rodents in plots differing in their densities and proportions of the most dominant rodent species. We then combined path analysis and model selection approaches to explore the network of effects, ranging from micro to macroscales, determining the reproductive success of these fleas. Our results suggest that female reproductive success is directly and positively associated with their infection by Mycoplasma bacteria and their own body mass, and with the rodent species size and total density. In addition, we found evidence for indirect effects of rodent sex and rodent community diversity on female reproductive success. These results highlight the importance of exploring interrelated factors across organization scales while studying the reproductive success of wild organisms, and they have implications for the control of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irit Messika
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Mario Garrido
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Hadar Kedem
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Victor China
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- The Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences, Eilat, Israel
| | - Yoni Gavish
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Qunfeng Dong
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Clay Fuqua
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Keith Clay
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
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24
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Occurrence and molecular characterization of hemoplasmas in domestic dogs and wild mammals in a Brazilian wetland. Acta Trop 2017; 171:172-181. [PMID: 28366511 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hemotropic mycoplasmas are known to cause anemia in several mammalian species. The present work aimed to investigate the occurrence of Mycoplasma spp. in wild mammals, domestic dogs and their respective ectoparasites, in southern Pantanal region, central-western Brazil. Between August 2013 and March 2015, 31 Nasua nasua, 78 Cerdocyon thous, seven Leopardus pardalis, 42 dogs, 110 wild rodents, and 30 marsupials were trapped and ectoparasites (ticks and fleas) found parasitizing the animals were collected. Mammals and ectoparasites DNA samples were submitted to conventional PCR assays for Mycoplasma spp. targeting 16S rRNA and RnaseP genes. Twenty-four N. nasua, three C. thous, two domestic dogs, one L. pardalis and one wild rodent were positive for 16S rRNA PCR protocols. Fourteen N. nasua samples were also positive in RnaseP PCR. No marsupial or arthropod showed positivity for Mycoplasma spp. The phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene showed that all sequences obtained from dogs, two sequences obtained from C. thous and ten sequences obtained from N. nasua showed to be closely related to Mycoplasma haemocanis/Mycoplasma haemofelis species. Genotypes closely related to 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and Mycoplasma haemomuris were detected in the L. pardalis and in the wild rodent, respectively. Probably a novel Mycoplasma genotype, closely related to a sequence obtained from a Brazilian capybara was detected in 14 N. nasua, based on a concatenated phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and RnaseP genes. The present study revealed that wild animals in southern Pantanal region, Brazil, are exposed to different species of hemoplasmas.
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25
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Novakova E, Woodhams DC, Rodríguez-Ruano SM, Brucker RM, Leff JW, Maharaj A, Amir A, Knight R, Scott J. Mosquito Microbiome Dynamics, a Background for Prevalence and Seasonality of West Nile Virus. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:526. [PMID: 28421042 PMCID: PMC5378795 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic microbial communities augment host phenotype, including defense against pathogen carriage and infection. We sampled the microbial communities in 11 adult mosquito host species from six regions in southern Ontario, Canada over 3 years. Of the factors examined, we found that mosquito species was the largest driver of the microbiota, with remarkable phylosymbiosis between host and microbiota. Seasonal shifts of the microbiome were consistently repeated over the 3-year period, while region had little impact. Both host species and seasonal shifts in microbiota were associated with patterns of West Nile virus (WNV) in these mosquitoes. The highest prevalence of WNV, with a seasonal spike each year in August, was in the Culex pipiens/restuans complex, and high WNV prevalence followed a decrease in relative abundance of Wolbachia in this species. Indeed, mean temperature, but not precipitation, was significantly correlated with Wolbachia abundance. This suggests that at higher temperatures Wolbachia abundance is reduced leading to greater susceptibility to WNV in the subsequent generation of C. pipiens/restuans hosts. Different mosquito genera harbored significantly different bacterial communities, and presence or abundance of Wolbachia was primarily associated with these differences. We identified several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of Wolbachia that drive overall microbial community differentiation among mosquito taxa, locations and timepoints. Distinct Wolbachia OTUs were consistently found to dominate microbiomes of Cx. pipiens/restuans, and of Coquilletidia perturbans. Seasonal fluctuations of several other microbial taxa included Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus, Methylobacterium, Asaia, Pantoea, Acinetobacter johnsonii, Pseudomonas, and Mycoplasma. This suggests that microbiota may explain some of the variation in vector competence previously attributed to local environmental processes, especially because Wolbachia is known to affect carriage of viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Novakova
- Faculty of Science, University of South BohemiaCeske Budejovice, Czechia.,Biology Centre of ASCR, Institute of ParasitologyCeske Budejovice, Czechia
| | - Douglas C Woodhams
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts BostonBoston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Jonathan W Leff
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of ColoradoBoulder, CO, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of ColoradoBoulder, CO, USA
| | | | - Amnon Amir
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San DiegoLa Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rob Knight
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San DiegoLa Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San DiegoLa Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James Scott
- Sporometrics IncToronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada
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Association of Bartonella Species with Wild and Synanthropic Rodents in Different Brazilian Biomes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 82:7154-7164. [PMID: 27736785 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02447-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bartonella spp. comprise an ecologically successful group of microorganisms that infect erythrocytes and have adapted to different hosts, which include a wide range of mammals, besides humans. Rodents are reservoirs of about two-thirds of Bartonella spp. described to date; and some of them have been implicated as causative agents of human diseases. In our study, we performed molecular and phylogenetic analyses of Bartonella spp. infecting wild rodents from five different Brazilian biomes. In order to characterize the genetic diversity of Bartonella spp., we performed a robust analysis based on three target genes, followed by sequencing, Bayesian inference, and maximum likelihood analysis. Bartonella spp. were detected in 25.6% (117/457) of rodent spleen samples analyzed, and this occurrence varied among different biomes. The diversity analysis of gltA sequences showed the presence of 15 different haplotypes. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationship of gltA sequences performed by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood showed that the Bartonella species detected in rodents from Brazil was closely related to the phylogenetic group A detected in other cricetid rodents from North America, probably constituting only one species. Last, the Bartonella species genogroup identified in the present study formed a monophyletic group that included Bartonella samples from seven different rodent species distributed in three distinct biomes. In conclusion, our study showed that the occurrence of Bartonella bacteria in rodents is much more frequent and widespread than previously recognized. IMPORTANCE In the present study, we reported the occurrence of Bartonella spp. in some sites in Brazil. The identification and understanding of the distribution of this important group of bacteria may allow the Brazilian authorities to recognize potential regions with the risk of transmission of these pathogens among wild and domestic animals and humans. In addition, our study accessed important gaps in the biology of this group of bacteria in Brazil, such as its low host specificity, high genetic diversity, and relationship with other Bartonella spp. detected in rodents trapped in America. Considering the diversity of newly discovered Bartonella species and the great ecological plasticity of these bacteria, new studies with the aim of revealing the biological aspects unknown until now are needed and must be performed around the world. In this context, the impact of Bartonella spp. associated with rodents in human health should be assessed in future studies.
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27
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Diversity and molecular characterization of novel hemoplasmas infecting wild rodents from different Brazilian biomes. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2015; 43:50-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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28
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Lawrence AL, Hii SF, Chong R, Webb CE, Traub R, Brown G, Šlapeta J. Evaluation of the bacterial microbiome of two flea species using different DNA-isolation techniques provides insights into flea host ecology. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2015; 91:fiv134. [PMID: 26542076 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiv134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fleas (Siphonaptera) are ubiquitous blood-sucking pests of animals worldwide and are vectors of zoonotic bacteria such as Rickettsia and Bartonella. We performed Ion Torrent PGM amplicon sequencing for the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to compare the microbiome of the ubiquitous cat flea (Ctenocephalides f. felis) and the host-specific echidna stickfast flea (Echidnophaga a. ambulans) and evaluated potential bias produced during common genomic DNA-isolation methods. We demonstrated significant differences in the bacterial community diversity between the two flea species but not between protocols combining surface sterilisation with whole flea homogenisation or exoskeleton retention. Both flea species were dominated by obligate intracellular endosymbiont Wolbachia, and the echidna stickfast fleas possessed the endosymbiont Cardinium. Cat fleas that were not surface sterilised showed presence of Candidatus 'Rickettsia senegalensis' DNA, the first report of its presence in Australia. In the case of Rickettsia, we show that sequencing depth of 50 000 was required for comparable sensitivity with Rickettsia qPCR. Low-abundance bacterial genera are suggested to reflect host ecology. The deep-sequencing approach demonstrates feasibility of pathogen detection with simultaneous quantitative analysis and evaluation of the inter-relationship of microbes within vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Lawrence
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Department of Medical Entomology, University of Sydney & Pathology West, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Sze-Fui Hii
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Rowena Chong
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Cameron E Webb
- Department of Medical Entomology, University of Sydney & Pathology West, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Rebecca Traub
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Graeme Brown
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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29
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Cohen C, Einav M, Hawlena H. Path analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal data suggest that variability in natural communities of blood-associated parasites is derived from host characteristics and not interspecific interactions. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:429. [PMID: 26286391 PMCID: PMC4545369 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1029-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The parasite composition of wild host individuals often impacts their behavior and physiology, and the transmission dynamics of pathogenic species thereby determines disease risk in natural communities. Yet, the determinants of parasite composition in natural communities are still obscure. In particular, three fundamental questions remain open: (1) what are the relative roles of host and environmental characteristics compared with direct interactions between parasites in determining the community composition of parasites? (2) do these determinants affect parasites belonging to the same guild and those belonging to different guilds in similar manners? and (3) can cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses work interchangeably in detecting community determinants? Our study was designed to answer these three questions in a natural community of rodents and their fleas, ticks, and two vector-borne bacteria. METHODS We sampled a natural population of Gerbillus andersoni rodents and their blood-associated parasites on two occasions. By combining path analysis and model selection approaches, we then explored multiple direct and indirect paths that connect (i) the environmental and host-related characteristics to the infection probability of a host by each of the four parasite species, and (ii) the infection probabilities of the four species by each other. RESULTS Our results suggest that the majority of paths shaping the blood-associated communities are indirect, mostly determined by host characteristics and not by interspecific interactions or environmental conditions. The exact effects of host characteristics on infection probability by a given parasite depend on its life history and on the method of sampling, in which the cross-sectional and longitudinal methods are complementary. CONCLUSIONS Despite the awareness of the need of ecological investigations into natural host-vector-parasite communities in light of the emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases, we lack sampling methods that are both practical and reliable. Here we illustrated how comprehensive patterns can be revealed from observational data by applying path analysis and model selection approaches and combining cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. By employing this combined approach on blood-associated parasites, we were able to distinguish between direct and indirect effects and to predict the causal relationships between host-related characteristics and the parasite composition over time and space. We concluded that direct interactions within the community play only a minor role in determining community composition relative to host characteristics and the life history of the community members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmit Cohen
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
| | - Monica Einav
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
| | - Hadas Hawlena
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel.
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