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Alkathiry HA, Alghamdi SQ, Sinha A, Margos G, Stekolnikov AA, Alagaili AN, Darby AC, Makepeace BL, Khoo JJ. Microbiome and mitogenomics of the chigger mite Pentidionis agamae: potential role as an Orientia vector and associations with divergent clades of Wolbachia and Borrelia. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:380. [PMID: 38632506 PMCID: PMC11025265 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10301-6] [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: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trombiculid mites are globally distributed, highly diverse arachnids that largely lack molecular resources such as whole mitogenomes for the elucidation of taxonomic relationships. Trombiculid larvae (chiggers) parasitise vertebrates and can transmit bacteria (Orientia spp.) responsible for scrub typhus, a zoonotic febrile illness. Orientia tsutsugamushi causes most cases of scrub typhus and is endemic to the Asia-Pacific Region, where it is transmitted by Leptotrombidium spp. chiggers. However, in Dubai, Candidatus Orientia chuto was isolated from a case of scrub typhus and is also known to circulate among rodents in Saudi Arabia and Kenya, although its vectors remain poorly defined. In addition to Orientia, chiggers are often infected with other potential pathogens or arthropod-specific endosymbionts, but their significance for trombiculid biology and public health is unclear. RESULTS Ten chigger species were collected from rodents in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Chiggers were pooled according to species and screened for Orientia DNA by PCR. Two species (Microtrombicula muhaylensis and Pentidionis agamae) produced positive results for the htrA gene, although Ca. Orientia chuto DNA was confirmed by Sanger sequencing only in P. agamae. Metagenomic sequencing of three pools of P. agamae provided evidence for two other bacterial associates: a spirochaete and a Wolbachia symbiont. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and multi-locus sequence typing genes placed the spirochaete in a clade of micromammal-associated Borrelia spp. that are widely-distributed globally with no known vector. For the Wolbachia symbiont, a genome assembly was obtained that allowed phylogenetic localisation in a novel, divergent clade. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcodes for Saudi Arabian chiggers enabled comparisons with global chigger diversity, revealing several cases of discordance with classical taxonomy. Complete mitogenome assemblies were obtained for the three P. agamae pools and almost 50 SNPs were identified, despite a common geographic origin. CONCLUSIONS P. agamae was identified as a potential vector of Ca. Orientia chuto on the Arabian Peninsula. The detection of an unusual Borrelia sp. and a divergent Wolbachia symbiont in P. agamae indicated links with chigger microbiomes in other parts of the world, while COI barcoding and mitogenomic analyses greatly extended our understanding of inter- and intraspecific relationships in trombiculid mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadil A Alkathiry
- Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Samia Q Alghamdi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Al-Baha University, P.O.Box1988, Al-Baha, 65799, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amit Sinha
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, 01938, USA
| | - Gabriele Margos
- National Reference Centre for Borrelia, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Veterinärstr. 2, Oberschleissheim, 85764, Germany
| | - Alexandr A Stekolnikov
- Laboratory of Parasitic Arthropods, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya embankment 1, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | | | - Alistair C Darby
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Jing Jing Khoo
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.
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Chaisiri K, Linsuwanon P, Makepeace BL. The chigger microbiome: big questions in a tiny world. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:696-707. [PMID: 37270375 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
'Chiggers' (trombiculid mite larvae) are best known as vectors of rickettsial pathogens, Orientia spp., which cause a zoonosis, scrub typhus. However, several other pathogens (e.g., Hantaan orthohantavirus, Dabie bandavirus, Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp., and Rickettsia spp.) and bacterial symbionts (e.g., Cardinium, Rickettsiella, and Wolbachia) are being reported from chiggers with increasing frequency. Here, we explore the surprisingly diverse chigger microbiota and potential interactions within this microcosm. Key conclusions include a possible role for chiggers as vectors of viral diseases; the dominance in some chigger populations of unidentified symbionts in several bacterial families; and increasing evidence for vertical transmission of potential pathogens and symbiotic bacteria in chiggers, suggesting intimate interactions and not simply incidental acquisition of bacteria from the environment or host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Piyada Linsuwanon
- Department of Entomology, US Army Medical Component, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK.
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Ogawa M, Takada N, Noda S, Takahashi M, Matsutani M, Kageyama D, Ebihara H. GENETIC VARIATION OF LEPTOTROMBIDIUM (ACARI: TROMBICULIDAE) MITES CARRYING ORIENTIA TSUTSUGAMUSHI, THE BACTERIAL PATHOGEN CAUSING SCRUB TYPHUS. J Parasitol 2023; 109:340-348. [PMID: 37498779 PMCID: PMC10658875 DOI: 10.1645/22-97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptotrombidium (Acari: Trombiculidae) mites are carriers of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the bacterial pathogen causing scrub typhus in humans. Classification of Leptotrombidium is vital because limited mite species carry O. tsutsugamushi. Generally, Leptotrombidium at the larval stage (approximately 0.2 mm in size) are used for morphological identification. However, morphological identification is often challenging because it requires considerable skills and taxonomic expertise. In this study, we found that the full-length sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene varied among the significant Leptotrombidium. On the basis of these, we modified the canonical deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcoding method for animals by redesigning the primer set to be suitable for Leptotrombidium. Polymerase chain reaction with the redesigned primer set drastically increased the detection sensitivity, especially against Leptotrombidium scutellare (approximately 17% increase), one of the significant mites carrying O. tsutsugamushi. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the samples morphologically classified as L. scutellare and Leptotrombidium pallidum were further split into 3 and 2 distinct subclusters respectively. The mean genetic distance (p-distance) between L. scutellare and L. pallidum was 0.2147, whereas the mean distances within each species were 0.052 and 0.044, respectively. Within L. scutellare, the mean genetic distances between the 3 subclusters were 0.1626-0.1732, whereas the distances within each subcluster were 0.003-0.017. Within L. pallidum, the mean genetic distance between the 2 subclusters was 0.1029, whereas the distances within each subcluster were 0.010-0.013. The DNA barcoding uncovered a broad genetic diversity of Leptotrombidium, especially of L. scutellare and L. pallidum, the notable species carrying O. tsutsugamushi. We conclude that the DNA barcoding using our primers enables precise and detailed classification of Leptotrombidium and implies the existence of a subgenotype in Leptotrombidium that had not been found by morphological identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motohiko Ogawa
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Takada
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka, Eiheiji, Fukui 910-1193, Japan
| | - Shinichi Noda
- Research Center for the Pacific Islands, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan
| | - Mamoru Takahashi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Saitama Medical University, 38 Moroyama-Machi, Iruma-Gun, Saitama, 350-0495, Japan
| | - Minenosuke Matsutani
- NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kageyama
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 1-2, Owashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0851, Japan
| | - Hideki Ebihara
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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Luo W, Meng K, Zhao Y, Liu J, Chen D, Xu C, Algharib SA, Dawood AS, Xie S. Guar gum modified tilmicosin-loaded sodium alginate/gelatin composite nanogels for effective therapy of porcine proliferative enteritis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. Int J Biol Macromol 2023:125084. [PMID: 37245769 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In order to overcome the treatment difficulty of Lawsonia intracellularis (L.intracellularis) using antibiotics, the tilmicosin (TIL)-loaded sodium alginate (SA)/gelatin composite nanogels modified with bioadhesive substances were designed. The optimized nanogels were prepared by electrostatic interaction between SA and gelatin at a mass ratio of 1:1 and CaCl2 as an ionic crosslinker and further modified with guar gum (GG). The optimized TIL-nanogels modified with GG had a uniform spherical shape with a diameter of 18.2 ± 0.3 nm, LC of 29.4 ± 0.2 %, EE of 70.4 ± 1.6 %, PDI of 0.30 ± 0.04, and ZP of -32.2 ± 0.5 mv. The FTIR, DSC, and PXRD showed that GG was covered on the surface of TIL-nanogels in a pattern of staggered arrangements. The TIL-nanogels modified with GG had the strongest adhesive strength amongst those with I-carrageenan and locust bean gum and the plain nanogels, and thus significantly enhanced the cellular uptake and accumulation of TIL via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. It exhibited an increased therapeutic effect against L.intracellularis in vitro and in vivo. This study will provide guidance for developing nanogels for intracellular bacterial infection treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanhe Luo
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MARA Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Engineering Laboratory for Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang 843300, China
| | - Kuiyu Meng
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MARA Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Yiqing Zhao
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MARA Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Jinhuan Liu
- Engineering Laboratory for Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang 843300, China
| | - Dongmei Chen
- MARA Laboratory for Risk Assessment of Quality and Safety of Livestock and Poultry Products, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Chunyan Xu
- Engineering Laboratory for Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang 843300, China
| | - Samah Attia Algharib
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MARA Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, QG, Egypt
| | - Ali Sobhy Dawood
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MARA Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China; Medicine and Infectious Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, 32897, Egypt
| | - Shuyu Xie
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues (HZAU) and MARA Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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Chen K, Roe RM, Ponnusamy L. Biology, Systematics, Microbiome, Pathogen Transmission and Control of Chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae, Leeuwenhoekiidae) with Emphasis on the United States. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15147. [PMID: 36429867 PMCID: PMC9690316 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chiggers are the larval stage of Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae mites of medical and veterinary importance. Some species in the genus Leptotrombidium and Herpetacarus vector Orientia species, the bacteria that causes scrub typhus disease in humans. Scrub typhus is a life-threatening, febrile disease. Chigger bites can also cause dermatitis. There were 248 chigger species reported from the US from almost every state. However, there are large gaps in our knowledge of the life history of other stages of development. North American wide morphological keys are needed for better species identification, and molecular sequence data for identification are minimal and not clearly matched with morphological data. The role of chiggers in disease transmission in the US is especially understudied, and the role of endosymbionts in Orientia infection are suggested in the scientific literature but not confirmed. The most common chiggers in the eastern United States were identified as Eutrombicula alfreddugesi but were likely misidentified and should be replaced with Eutrombicula cinnabaris. Scrub typhus was originally believed to be limited to the Tsutsugamushi Triangle and the chigger genus, Leptotrombidium, but there is increasing evidence this is not the case. The potential of Orientia species establishing in the US is high. In addition, several other recognized pathogens to infect humans, namely Hantavirus, Bartonella, Borrelia, and Rickettsia, were also detected in chiggers. The role that chiggers play in these disease transmissions in the US needs further investigation. It is possible some of the tick-borne diseases and red meat allergies are caused by chiggers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiying Chen
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - R. Michael Roe
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Loganathan Ponnusamy
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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Kuo CC, Lee PL, Wang HC. Molecular identification of Rickettsia spp. in chigger mites in Taiwan. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 36:223-229. [PMID: 34846757 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The genus Rickettsia is the causative agent of several rickettsial diseases that are primarily transmitted by hard ticks. The occurrence of Rickettsia in chigger mites, which are vectors of scrub typhus in the western Pacific region, has been infrequently investigated. We identified Rickettsia spp. in chiggers collected from small mammals in six counties of Taiwan. Moreover, by capitalising on parallel Rickettsia detections on small mammals and their infested ticks and fleas, we were able to identify Rickettsia spp. that suggested more intimate associations with chigger mites. Rickettsia detection rates in 318 pools of chiggers were 21.7% and 22.3% when based on the ompB and gltA gene, respectively. Overall, we identified six (based on the ompB gene) and eight (gltA gene) Rickettsia species. Approximately half of the sequenced species were most similar to Rickettsia sp. clone MB74-1 (ompB gene) and Rickettsia sp. TwKM02 (gltA gene). Furthermore, both species were either infrequently or never identified in small mammals, ticks and fleas, which suggests that chigger mites might be the primary host of both rickettsiae. Whether both species are pathogenic to humans remains to be studied. They may also be microbial endosymbionts of chigger mites, with their potential effects on the pathogenicity of the aetiologic agent of scrub typhus deserving further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chien Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Lung Lee
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
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Luo W, Liu J, Algharib SA, Chen W. Antibacterial activity of enrofloxacin loaded gelatin-sodium alginate composite nanogels against intracellular Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants. J Vet Sci 2022; 23:e48. [PMID: 35618320 PMCID: PMC9149494 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.21292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wanhe Luo
- Engineering Laboratory for Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry & Science Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar 843300, China
| | - Jinhuan Liu
- Engineering Laboratory for Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
| | - Samah Attia Algharib
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Egypt
| | - Wei Chen
- Engineering Laboratory for Tarim Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control, College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry & Science Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Alar 843300, China
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Pistone D, Meroni G, Panelli S, D’Auria E, Acunzo M, Pasala AR, Zuccotti GV, Bandi C, Drago L. A Journey on the Skin Microbiome: Pitfalls and Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9846. [PMID: 34576010 PMCID: PMC8469928 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The human skin microbiota is essential for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring barrier functions. Over the years, the characterization of its composition and taxonomic diversity has reached outstanding goals, with more than 10 million bacterial genes collected and cataloged. Nevertheless, the study of the skin microbiota presents specific challenges that need to be addressed in study design. Benchmarking procedures and reproducible and robust analysis workflows for increasing comparability among studies are required. For various reasons and because of specific technical problems, these issues have been investigated in gut microbiota studies, but they have been largely overlooked for skin microbiota. After a short description of the skin microbiota, the review tackles methodological aspects and their pitfalls, covering NGS approaches and high throughput culture-based techniques. Recent insights into the "core" and "transient" types of skin microbiota and how the manipulation of these communities can prevent or combat skin diseases are also covered. Finally, this review includes an overview of the main dermatological diseases, the changes in the microbiota composition associated with them, and the recommended skin sampling procedures. The last section focuses on topical and oral probiotics to improve and maintain skin health, considering their possible applications for skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Pistone
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center “Invernizzi”, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (S.P.); (A.R.P.); (G.V.Z.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Meroni
- Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences-One Health Unit, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Simona Panelli
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center “Invernizzi”, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (S.P.); (A.R.P.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Enza D’Auria
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (M.A.)
| | - Miriam Acunzo
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (M.A.)
| | - Ajay Ratan Pasala
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center “Invernizzi”, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (S.P.); (A.R.P.); (G.V.Z.)
| | - Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center “Invernizzi”, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (S.P.); (A.R.P.); (G.V.Z.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Vittore Buzzi, University of Milan, 20154 Milan, Italy; (E.D.); (M.A.)
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center “Invernizzi”, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Drago
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
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Osuna-Mascaró C, Doña J, Johnson KP, de Rojas M. Genome-Resolved Metagenomic Analyses Reveal the Presence of a Putative Bacterial Endosymbiont in an Avian Nasal Mite (Rhinonyssidae; Mesostigmata). Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081734. [PMID: 34442816 PMCID: PMC8398770 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata) is a family of nasal mites only found in birds. All species are hematophagous endoparasites, which may damage the nasal cavities of birds, and also could be potential reservoirs or vectors of other infections. However, the role of members of Rhinonyssidae as disease vectors in wild bird populations remains uninvestigated, with studies of the microbiomes of Rhinonyssidae being almost non-existent. In the nasal mite (Tinaminyssus melloi) from rock doves (Columba livia), a previous study found evidence of a highly abundant putatively endosymbiotic bacteria from Class Alphaproteobacteria. Here, we expanded the sample size of this species (two different hosts- ten nasal mites from two independent samples per host), incorporated contamination controls, and increased sequencing depth in shotgun sequencing and genome-resolved metagenomic analyses. Our goal was to increase the information regarding this mite species and its putative endosymbiont. We obtained a metagenome assembled genome (MAG) that was estimated to be 98.1% complete and containing only 0.9% possible contamination. Moreover, the MAG has characteristics typical of endosymbionts (namely, small genome size an AT bias). Overall, our results support the presence of a potential endosymbiont, which is the first described for avian nasal mites to date, and improve the overall understanding of the microbiota inhabiting these mites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Osuna-Mascaró
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557, USA
- Correspondence: (C.O.-M.); (M.d.R.)
| | - Jorge Doña
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA; (J.D.); (K.P.J.)
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Universitario de Cartuja, Calle Prof. Vicente Callao, 3, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | - Kevin P. Johnson
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA; (J.D.); (K.P.J.)
| | - Manuel de Rojas
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Calle San Fernando, 4, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.O.-M.); (M.d.R.)
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Xiang R, Guo XG. Research Advances of Leptotrombidium scutellare in China. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2021; 59:1-8. [PMID: 33684981 PMCID: PMC7939960 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Leptotrombidium scutellare is one of the 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China. It has been found in more than 15 provinces of China. Especially in Yunnan, it was found to be mainly distributed in some mountainous areas with high altitude, low temperature and low precipitation. Rodents and some other small mammals were the most common hosts of L. scutellare. To date, more than 40 host species of L. scutellare have been recorded with very low host specificity, and the main hosts varied in different geographical regions. L. scutellare had a strong resistance against the cold environment, and the temperature and humidity were 2 important factors affecting its growth and development. Among different individuals of their rodent hosts, L. scutellare mites often showed an aggregated distribution pattern, which reflected the interspecific cooperation of the mites. The chromosome karyotype of L. scutellare was 2n=16 and all the 8 pairs of chromosomes were short rod-shaped with metacentric or sub-metacentric types. The isozyme spectrum supported that L. scutellare, L. deliense and L. rubellum were in the same species group. Based on the natural infection, experimental transmission and epidemiological evidence, L. scutellare has been eventually confirmed as the second major vector of scrub typhus in China, which is second only to L. deliense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Xiang
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province 671000, China
| | - Xian-Guo Guo
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province 671000, China
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Csicsay F, Flores-Ramirez G, Zuñiga-Navarrete F, Bartošová M, Fučíková A, Pajer P, Dresler J, Škultéty Ľ, Quevedo-Diaz M. Proteomic analysis of Rickettsia akari proposes a 44 kDa-OMP as a potential biomarker for Rickettsialpox diagnosis. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:200. [PMID: 32640994 PMCID: PMC7341715 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01877-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rickettsialpox is a febrile illness caused by the mite-borne pathogen Rickettsia akari. Several cases of this disease are reported worldwide annually. Nevertheless, the relationship between the immunogenicity of R. akari and disease development is still poorly understood. Thus, misdiagnosis is frequent. Our study is aiming to identify immunogenic proteins that may improve disease recognition and enhance subsequent treatment. To achieve this goal, two proteomics methodologies were applied, followed by immunoblot confirmation. Results Three hundred and sixteen unique proteins were identified in the whole-cell extract of R. akari. The most represented protein groups were found to be those involved in translation, post-translational modifications, energy production, and cell wall development. A significant number of proteins belonged to amino acid transport and intracellular trafficking. Also, some proteins affecting the virulence were detected. In silico analysis of membrane enriched proteins revealed 25 putative outer membrane proteins containing beta-barrel structure and 11 proteins having a secretion signal peptide sequence. Using rabbit and human sera, various immunoreactive proteins were identified from which the 44 kDa uncharacterized protein (A8GP63) has demonstrated a unique detection capability. It positively distinguished the sera of patients with Rickettsialpox from other rickettsiae positive human sera. Conclusion Our proteomic analysis certainly contributed to the lack of knowledge of R. akari pathogenesis. The result obtained may also serve as a guideline for a more accurate diagnosis of rickettsial diseases. The identified 44 kDa uncharacterized protein can be certainly used as a unique marker of rickettsialpox or as a target molecule for the development of more effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Csicsay
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Gabriela Flores-Ramirez
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Fernando Zuñiga-Navarrete
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Mária Bartošová
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Alena Fučíková
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradecká 1285, 500 03, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pajer
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, CZ-160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Dresler
- Military Health Institute, Military Medical Agency, Tychonova 1, CZ-160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ľudovít Škultéty
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. .,Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Marco Quevedo-Diaz
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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