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Moustafa MAM, Mohamed WMA, Chatanga E, Naguib D, Matsuno K, Gofton AW, Barker SC, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Unraveling the phylogenetics of genetically closely related species, Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, using entire tick mitogenomes and microbiomes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9961. [PMID: 38693183 PMCID: PMC11063046 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60163-x] [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: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Ticks have a profound impact on public health. Haemaphysalis is one of the most widespread genera in Asia, including Japan. The taxonomy and genetic differentiation of Haemaphysalis spp. is challenging. For instance, previous studies struggled to distinguish Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa due to the dearth of nucleotide sequence polymorphisms in widely used barcoding genes. The classification of H. japonica japonica and its related sub-species Haemaphysalis japonica douglasi or Haemaphysalis jezoensis is also confused due to their high morphological similarity and a lack of molecular data that support the current classification. We used mitogenomes and microbiomes of H. japonica and H. megaspinosa to gain deeper insights into the phylogenetic relationships and genetic divergence between two species. Phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nucleotide sequences of protein-coding genes and ribosomal DNA genes distinguished H. japonica and H. megaspinosa as monophyletic clades, with further subdivision within the H. japonica clade. The 16S rRNA and NAD5 genes were valuable markers for distinguishing H. japonica and H. megaspinosa. Population genetic structure analyses indicated that genetic variation within populations accounted for a large proportion of the total variation compared to variation between populations. Microbiome analyses revealed differences in alpha and beta diversity between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. japonica had the higher diversity. Coxiella sp., a likely endosymbiont, was found in both Haemaphysalis species. The abundance profiles of likely endosymbionts, pathogens, and commensals differed between H. japonica and H. megaspinosa: H. megaspinosa was more diverse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Department of Entomology, Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, 83523, Egypt
| | - Wessam M A Mohamed
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Elisha Chatanga
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Doaa Naguib
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Keita Matsuno
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development, HU-IVReD, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | - Stephen C Barker
- Department of Parasitology, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan.
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2
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Zhong Z, Wang K, Wang J. Tick symbiosis. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 62:101163. [PMID: 38244689 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2024.101163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
As obligate blood-feeders, ticks serve as vectors for a variety of pathogens that pose threats on both human and livestock health. The microbiota that ticks harbor play important roles in influencing tick nutrition, development, reproduction, and vector. These microbes also affect the capacity of ticks to transmit pathogens (vector competence). Therefore, comprehending the functions of tick microbiota will help in developing novel and effective tick control strategies. Here, we summarize the effects of main tick symbiotic bacteria on tick physiology and vector competency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwei Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
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3
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Floriano AM, Batisti Biffignandi G, Castelli M, Olivieri E, Clementi E, Comandatore F, Rinaldi L, Opara M, Plantard O, Palomar AM, Noël V, Vijay A, Lo N, Makepeace BL, Duron O, Jex A, Guy L, Sassera D. The evolution of intramitochondriality in Midichloria bacteria. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2102-2117. [PMID: 37305924 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Midichloria spp. are intracellular bacterial symbionts of ticks. Representatives of this genus colonise mitochondria in the cells of their hosts. To shed light on this unique interaction we evaluated the presence of an intramitochondrial localization for three Midichloria in the respective tick host species and generated eight high-quality draft genomes and one closed genome, showing that this trait is non-monophyletic, either due to losses or multiple acquisitions. Comparative genomics supports the first hypothesis, as the genomes of non-mitochondrial symbionts are reduced subsets of those capable of colonising the organelles. We detect genomic signatures of mitochondrial tropism, including the differential presence of type IV secretion system and flagellum, which could allow the secretion of unique effectors and/or direct interaction with mitochondria. Other genes, including adhesion molecules, proteins involved in actin polymerisation, cell wall and outer membrane proteins, are only present in mitochondrial symbionts. The bacteria could use these to manipulate host structures, including mitochondrial membranes, to fuse with the organelles or manipulate the mitochondrial network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Floriano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, VetAgro Sup, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Gherard Batisti Biffignandi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Michele Castelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Olivieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Pavia Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Clementi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Comandatore
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Pediatric Clinical Research Center 'Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Regione Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - Maxwell Opara
- Zoonotic Parasites Research Group, Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - Ana M Palomar
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases (CRETAV), San Pedro University Hospital, Center of Biomedical Research from La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - Valérie Noël
- MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), University of Montpellier (UM), Montpellier, France
| | - Amrita Vijay
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nathan Lo
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Makepeace
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Olivier Duron
- MIVEGEC (Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle), University of Montpellier (UM), Montpellier, France
| | - Aaron Jex
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lionel Guy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratories, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology 'L. Spallanzani', University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Hrazdilova K, Danek O, Hrbatova A, Cervena B, Noskova E, Adamik P, Votypka J, Mihalca AD, Noureddine M, Modry D, Zurek L. Genetic analysis challenges the presence of Ixodes inopinatus in Central Europe: development of a multiplex PCR to distinguish I. inopinatus from I. ricinus. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:354. [PMID: 37814284 PMCID: PMC10561450 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05971-2] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ixodes ricinus is an important vector of several pathogens, primarily in Europe. Recently, Ixodes inopinatus was described from Spain, Portugal, and North Africa and then reported from several European countries. In this study, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to distinguish I. ricinus from I. inopinatus and used in the surveillance of I. inopinatus in Algeria (ALG) and three regions in the Czech Republic (CZ). METHODS A multiplex PCR on TROSPA and sequencing of several mitochondrial (16S rDNA, COI) and nuclear markers (TROSPA, ITS2, calreticulin) were used to differentiate these two species and for a subsequent phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Sequencing of TROSPA, COI, and ITS2 separated these two species into two subclades, while 16S rDNA and calreticulin could not distinguish I. ricinus from I. inopinatus. Interestingly, 23 nucleotide positions in the TROSPA gene had consistently double peaks in a subset of ticks from CZ. Cloning of these PCR products led to a clear separation of I. ricinus and I. inopinatus indicating hybridization and introgression between these two tick taxa. Based on a multiplex PCR of TROSPA and analysis of sequences of TROSPA, COI, and ITS2, the majority of ticks in CZ were I. ricinus, no I. inopinatus ticks were found, and 10 specimens showed signs of hybridization. In contrast, most ticks in ALG were I. inopinatus, four ticks were I. ricinus, and no signs of hybridization and introgression were detected. CONCLUSIONS We developed a multiplex PCR method based on the TROSPA gene to differentiate I. ricinus and I. inopinatus. We demonstrate the lack of evidence for the presence of I. inopinatus in Central Europe and propose that previous studies be re-examined. Mitochondrial markers are not suitable for distinguishing I. inopinatus from I. ricinus. Furthermore, our data indicate that I. inopinatus and I. ricinus can hybridize, and the hybrids can survive in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Hrazdilova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Danek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of Czech Academy of Sciences, Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Hrbatova
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Cervena
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Noskova
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Adamik
- Department of Zoology, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Votypka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of Czech Academy of Sciences, Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mechouk Noureddine
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - David Modry
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of Czech Academy of Sciences, Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Zurek
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- CEITEC, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources/CINeZ, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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5
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Hodosi R, Kazimirova M, Soltys K. What do we know about the microbiome of I. ricinus? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:990889. [PMID: 36467722 PMCID: PMC9709289 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.990889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
I. ricinus is an obligate hematophagous parasitic arthropod that is responsible for the transmission of a wide range of zoonotic pathogens including spirochetes of the genus Borrelia, Rickettsia spp., C. burnetii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Francisella tularensis, which are part the tick´s microbiome. Most of the studies focus on "pathogens" and only very few elucidate the role of "non-pathogenic" symbiotic microorganisms in I. ricinus. While most of the members of the microbiome are leading an intracellular lifestyle, they are able to complement tick´s nutrition and stress response having a great impact on tick´s survival and transmission of pathogens. The composition of the tick´s microbiome is not consistent and can be tied to the environment, tick species, developmental stage, or specific organ or tissue. Ovarian tissue harbors a stable microbiome consisting mainly but not exclusively of endosymbiotic bacteria, while the microbiome of the digestive system is rather unstable, and together with salivary glands, is mostly comprised of pathogens. The most prevalent endosymbionts found in ticks are Rickettsia spp., Ricketsiella spp., Coxiella-like and Francisella-like endosymbionts, Spiroplasma spp. and Candidatus Midichloria spp. Since microorganisms can modify ticks' behavior, such as mobility, feeding or saliva production, which results in increased survival rates, we aimed to elucidate the potential, tight relationship, and interaction between bacteria of the I. ricinus microbiome. Here we show that endosymbionts including Coxiella-like spp., can provide I. ricinus with different types of vitamin B (B2, B6, B7, B9) essential for eukaryotic organisms. Furthermore, we hypothesize that survival of Wolbachia spp., or the bacterial pathogen A. phagocytophilum can be supported by the tick itself since coinfection with symbiotic Spiroplasma ixodetis provides I. ricinus with complete metabolic pathway of folate biosynthesis necessary for DNA synthesis and cell division. Manipulation of tick´s endosymbiotic microbiome could present a perspective way of I. ricinus control and regulation of spread of emerging bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Hodosi
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Maria Kazimirova
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Soltys
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Comenius University Science Park, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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6
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Hekimoğlu O. Phylogenetic placement of Turkish populations of Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes inopinatus. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:179-189. [PMID: 36251170 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00750-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Studies on phylogeography and population structure of Ixodes ricinus have been carried out in Europe for decades, but the number of specimens from the Middle East included in these analyses is relatively small, despite the wide distribution of the species in this area. This study aimed to clarify the phylogenetic positions of I. ricinus from Turkey as well as to investigate the presence of Ixodes inopinatus in Anatolia. For this purpose, one mitochondrial (mt 16S rDNA) and one nuclear gene (defensin) were used to generate molecular data from I. ricinus samples, which were collected from 17 locations across the species' distributional range in Turkey. Bayesian inference was used to investigate phylogenetic relationships. Globally, the mt 16S rDNA lineages correspond to the lineages revealed by defensin; I. ricinus and I. inopinatus sequences clustered separately. However, a discordant genetic pattern was observed between the phylogenetic position of turkish I. ricinus revealed by nuclear versus mitochondrial genes. All Turkish haplotypes of mt 16SrDNA clustered with I. ricinus samples from Europe, which might be the result of extensive gene flow between populations of Europe and the Middle East. On the other hand, a sample from Thrace Region grouped within I. inopinatus clade. Thus, the occurrence of I. inopinatus in Turkey was demonstrated for the first time using molecular data. Moreover, four individuals were found to be heterozygous for the defensin. The potential evolutionary processes that underlie this observed discrepancy between the phylogenetic trees of two genes have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olcay Hekimoğlu
- Division of Ecology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
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7
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Garcia-Vozmediano A, Tomassone L, Fonville M, Bertolotti L, Heylen D, Fabri ND, Medlock JM, Nijhof AM, Hansford KM, Sprong H, Krawczyk AI. The Genetic Diversity of Rickettsiella Symbionts in Ixodes ricinus Throughout Europe. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 84:613-626. [PMID: 34580739 PMCID: PMC9436858 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01869-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsiella species are bacterial symbionts that are present in a great variety of arthropod species, including ixodid ticks. However, little is known about their genetic diversity and distribution in Ixodes ricinus, as well as their relationship with other tick-associated bacteria. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and the genetic diversity of Rickettsiella spp. in I. ricinus throughout Europe and evaluated any preferential and antagonistic associations with Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii and the pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Borrelia miyamotoi. Rickettsiella spp. were detected in most I. ricinus populations investigated, encompassing a wide array of climate types and environments. The infection prevalence significantly differed between geographic locations and was significantly higher in adults than in immature life stages. Phylogenetic investigations and protein characterization disclosed four Rickettsiella clades (I-IV). Close phylogenetic relations were observed between Rickettsiella strains of I. ricinus and other arthropod species. Isolation patterns were detected for Clades II and IV, which were restricted to specific geographic areas. Lastly, although coinfections occurred, we did not detect significant associations between Rickettsiella spp. and the other tick-associated bacteria investigated. Our results suggest that Rickettsiella spp. are a genetically and biologically diverse facultative symbiont of I. ricinus and that their distribution among tick populations could be influenced by environmental components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, L.go Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO Italy
| | - Laura Tomassone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, L.go Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO Italy
| | - Manoj Fonville
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Luigi Bertolotti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, L.go Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco, TO Italy
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Eco-Epidemiology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nannet D. Fabri
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jolyon M. Medlock
- Infections Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK
| | - Ard M. Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kayleigh M. Hansford
- Infections Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology, Public Health England, Porton Down, UK
| | - Hein Sprong
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Aleksandra I. Krawczyk
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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8
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Mohamed WMA, Moustafa MAM, Thu MJ, Kakisaka K, Chatanga E, Ogata S, Hayashi N, Taya Y, Ohari Y, Naguib D, Qiu Y, Matsuno K, Bawm S, Htun LL, Barker SC, Katakura K, Ito K, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Comparative mitogenomics elucidates the population genetic structure of
Amblyomma testudinarium
in Japan and a closely related
Amblyomma
species in Myanmar. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1062-1078. [PMID: 35899249 PMCID: PMC9309438 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are the second most important vector capable of transmitting diseases affecting the health of both humans and animals. Amblyomma testudinarium Koch 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae), is a hard tick species having a wide geographic distribution in Asia. In this study, we analyzed the composition of A. testudinarium whole mitogenomes from various geographical regions in Japan and investigated the population structure, demographic patterns, and phylogeographic relationship with other ixodid species. In addition, we characterized a potentially novel tick species closely related to A. testudinarium from Myanmar. Phylogeographic inference and evolutionary dynamics based on the 15 mitochondrial coding genes supported that A. testudinarium population in Japan is resolved into a star‐like haplogroup and suggested a distinct population structure of A. testudinarium from Amami island in Kyushu region. Correlation analysis using Mantel test statistics showed that no significant correlation was observed between the genetic and geographic distances calculated between the A. testudinarium population from different localities in Japan. Finally, demographic analyses, including mismatch analysis and Tajima’s D test, suggested a possibility of recent population expansion occurred within Japanese haplogroup after a bottleneck event. Although A. testudinarium has been considered widespread and common in East and Southeast Asia, the current study suggested that potentially several cryptic Amblyomma spp. closely related to A. testudinarium are present in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Division of Bioinformatics, International Institute for Zoonosis Control Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine South Valley University Qena Egypt
| | - May June Thu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Department of Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health, Zabu Thiri, Nay Pyi Taw 15011 Myanmar
| | - Keita Kakisaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Elisha Chatanga
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Lilongwe Malawi
| | - Shohei Ogata
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Naoki Hayashi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Yurie Taya
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Yuma Ohari
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Doaa Naguib
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- Department of Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Mansoura University Mansoura Egypt
| | - Yongjin Qiu
- Division of International Research Promotion, International Institute for Zoonosis Control Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Keita Matsuno
- Division of Risk Analysis and Management, International Institute for Zoonosis Control Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
- One Health Research Center Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Saw Bawm
- Department of International Relations and Information Technology University of Veterinary Science Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw Myanmar
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology University of Veterinary Science Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw Myanmar
| | - Lat Lat Htun
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology University of Veterinary Science Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw Myanmar
| | - Stephen C. Barker
- Department of Parasitology, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Kimihito Ito
- Division of Bioinformatics, International Institute for Zoonosis Control Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Hokkaido University Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
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9
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Bell-Sakyi L, Hartley CS, Khoo JJ, Forth JH, Palomar AM, Makepeace BL. New Cell Lines Derived from European Tick Species. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061086. [PMID: 35744603 PMCID: PMC9228755 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick cell lines are important tools for research on ticks and the pathogens they transmit. Here, we report the establishment of ten new cell lines from European ticks of the genera Argas, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus originating from Germany and Spain. For each cell line, the method used to generate the primary culture, a morphological description of the cells and species confirmation by sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene are presented. Further molecular analysis of the two new Ixodes ricinus cell lines and three existing cell lines of the same species revealed genetic variation between cell lines derived from ticks collected in the same or nearby locations. Collectively, these new cell lines will support research into a wide range of viral, bacterial and protozoal tick-borne diseases prevalent in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (C.S.H.); (J.J.K.); (B.L.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Catherine S. Hartley
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (C.S.H.); (J.J.K.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Jing Jing Khoo
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (C.S.H.); (J.J.K.); (B.L.M.)
| | - Jan Hendrik Forth
- Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Ana M. Palomar
- Centre of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain;
| | - Benjamin L. Makepeace
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (C.S.H.); (J.J.K.); (B.L.M.)
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10
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Hussain S, Perveen N, Hussain A, Song B, Aziz MU, Zeb J, Li J, George D, Cabezas-Cruz A, Sparagano O. The Symbiotic Continuum Within Ticks: Opportunities for Disease Control. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:854803. [PMID: 35369485 PMCID: PMC8969565 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.854803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Among blood-sucking arthropods, ticks are recognized as being of prime global importance because of their role as vectors of pathogens affecting human and animal health. Ticks carry a variety of pathogenic, commensal, and symbiotic microorganisms. For the latter, studies are available concerning the detection of endosymbionts, but their role in the physiology and ecology of ticks remains largely unexplored. This review paper focuses on tick endosymbionts of the genera Coxiella, Rickettsia, Francisella, Midichloria, and Wolbachia, and their impact on ticks and tick-pathogen interactions that drive disease risk. Tick endosymbionts can affect tick physiology by influencing nutritional adaptation, fitness, and immunity. Further, symbionts may influence disease ecology, as they interact with tick-borne pathogens and can facilitate or compete with pathogen development within the vector tissues. Rickettsial symbionts are frequently found in ticks of the genera of Ixodes, Amblyomma, and Dermacentor with relatively lower occurrence in Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Hyalomma ticks, while Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) were reported infecting almost all tick species tested. Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLEs) have been identified in tick genera such as Dermacentor, Amblyomma, Ornithodoros, Ixodes, and Hyalomma, whereas Wolbachia sp. has been detected in Ixodes, Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus tick genera. Notably, CLEs and FLEs are obligate endosymbionts essential for tick survival and development through the life cycle. American dog ticks showed greater motility when infected with Rickettsia, indirectly influencing infection risk, providing evidence of a relationship between tick endosymbionts and tick-vectored pathogens. The widespread occurrence of endosymbionts across the tick phylogeny and evidence of their functional roles in ticks and interference with tick-borne pathogens suggests a significant contribution to tick evolution and/or vector competence. We currently understand relatively little on how these endosymbionts influence tick parasitism, vector capacity, pathogen transmission and colonization, and ultimately on how they influence tick-borne disease dynamics. Filling this knowledge gap represents a major challenge for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabir Hussain
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nighat Perveen
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abrar Hussain
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Baolin Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Muhammad Umair Aziz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jehan Zeb
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - David George
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Olivier Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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11
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Alghamdi SQ, Low VL, Alkathiry HA, Alagaili AN, McGarry JW, Makepeace BL. Automatic barcode gap discovery reveals diverse clades of Rhipicephalus spp. and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks from small mammals in 'Asir, Saudi Arabia. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:541. [PMID: 34666829 PMCID: PMC8527726 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05049-x] [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: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The ixodid tick genera Rhipicephalus and Haemaphysalis contain several species of medical and/or veterinary importance, but their diversity in some regions of the world remains under-explored. For instance, very few modern studies have been performed on the taxonomy of these genera on the Arabian Peninsula. Methods In this study, we trapped small mammals in the 'Asir Mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia and collected tick specimens for morphological examination and molecular barcoding, targeting three mitochondrial loci: cox1, 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA. Results We obtained a total of 733 ticks (608 Haemaphysalis spp. and 125 Rhipicephalus spp.) from 75 small mammal hosts belonging to six species. All tick specimens were immature except for nine adults recovered from a hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus). Morphologically, the Rhipicephalus ticks resembled R. camicasi, but the Haemaphysalis ticks showed differences in palp morphology compared with species previously described from Saudi Arabia. Phylogenetic analysis and automatic barcode gap discovery identified a novel clade of Rhipicephalus sp. representing most of the nymphs. This was most closely related to R. leporis, R. guilhoni and R. linnaei. The adult ticks and a small proportion of nymphs clustered with R. camicasi sequences from a previous study. Finally, the Haemaphysalis nymphs formed two distinct clades that were clearly separated from all reference sequences but closest to some African species. Conclusions This apparent high level of tick diversity observed in a single study site of only ~ 170 km2, on a relatively small number of hosts, highlights the potential for the discovery of new tick species on the Arabian Peninsula. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05049-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Q Alghamdi
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.,College of Science, Al Baha University, Al Baha Province, Alaqiq, 65779-77388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Van Lun Low
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hadil A Alkathiry
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.,Department of Biology, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 13318, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz N Alagaili
- Department of Zoology, King Saud University Mammals Research Chair, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - John W McGarry
- 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.
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12
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Stavru F, Riemer J, Jex A, Sassera D. When bacteria meet mitochondria: The strange case of the tick symbiont Midichloria mitochondrii †. Cell Microbiol 2021; 22:e13189. [PMID: 32185904 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are key eukaryotic organelles that perform several essential functions. Not surprisingly, many intracellular bacteria directly or indirectly target mitochondria, interfering with innate immunity, energy production or apoptosis, to make the host cell a more hospitable niche for bacterial replication. The alphaproteobacterium Midichloria mitochondrii has taken mitochondrial targeting to another level by physically colonising mitochondria, as shown by transmission electron micrographs of bacteria residing in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. This unique localization provokes a number of questions around the mechanisms allowing, and reasons driving intramitochondrial tropism. We suggest possible scenarios that could lead to this peculiar localization and hypothesize potential costs and benefits of mitochondrial colonisation for the bacterium and its host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Stavru
- Unité de Biologie Evolutive de la Cellule Microbienne, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,CNRS ERL6002, Paris, France
| | - Jan Riemer
- Department for Chemistry, Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Aaron Jex
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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13
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Daveu R, Laurence C, Bouju-Albert A, Sassera D, Plantard O. Symbiont dynamics during the blood meal of Ixodes ricinus nymphs differ according to their sex. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101707. [PMID: 33813285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ticks harbour rich and diverse microbiota and, among the microorganisms associated with them, endosymbionts are the subject of a growing interest due to their crucial role in the biology of their arthropod host. Midichloria mitochondrii is the main endosymbiont of the European tick Ixodes ricinus and is found in abundance in all I. ricinus females, while at a much lower density in males, where it is even absent in 56 % of the individuals. This endosymbiont is also known to increase in numbers after the blood meal of larvae, nymphs or females. Because of this difference in the prevalence of M. mitochondrii between the two sexes, surveying the density of these bacteria in nymphs that will become either females or males could help to understand the behaviour of Midichloria in its arthropod host. To this aim, we have set up an experimental design by building 3 groups of unfed nymphs based on their scutum and hypostome lengths. After engorgement, weighing and moulting of a subset of the nymphs, a significant difference in sex-ratio among the 3 groups was observed. In parallel, Midichloria load in individual nymphs was quantified by qPCR both before and after engorgement. No difference in either body mass or Midichloria load was observed at the unfed stage, but following engorgement, both features were significantly different between each size group. Our results demonstrate that symbiont dynamics during nymphal engorgement is different between the two sexes, resulting in a significantly higher Midichloria load in nymphs that will become females. The consequences of those findings on our understanding of the interplay between the endosymbiont and its arthropod host are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Daveu
- INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR, 44300, Nantes, France; Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Agnès Bouju-Albert
- INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR, 44300, Nantes, France; INRAE, Oniris, SECALIM, 44300, Nantes, France
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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14
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Olivieri E, Kariuki E, Floriano AM, Castelli M, Tafesse YM, Magoga G, Kumsa B, Montagna M, Sassera D. Multi-country investigation of the diversity and associated microorganisms isolated from tick species from domestic animals, wildlife and vegetation in selected african countries. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2021; 83:427-448. [PMID: 33646482 PMCID: PMC7940270 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In many areas of Africa, recent studies highlighted the great impact of ticks on animal and human health throughout the continent. On the other hand, very limited information on the bacterial endosymbionts of the African ticks and their pattern of co-infections with other bacteria are found in literature, notwithstanding their pivotal role in tick survival and vector efficiency. Thus, we investigated the distribution of selected pathogenic and symbiotic bacteria in hard ticks collected from wild, domestic animals and from vegetation in various ecological zones in Africa and their co-occurrence in the same tick host. Overall, 339 hard ticks were morphologically identified as belonging to the genera Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes and Rhipicephalus. Molecular screening provided information on pathogens circulation in Africa, detecting spotted fever group rickettsiae, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia ruminantium, Borrelia garinii, Babesia spp., Theileria spp. and Coxiella burnetii. Furthermore, our work provides insights on the African scenario of tick-symbiont associations, revealing the presence of Coxiella, Francisella and Midichloria across multiple tick populations. Coxiella endosymbionts were the most prevalent microorganisms, and that with the broadest spectrum of hosts, being detected in 16 tick species. Francisella was highly prevalent among the Hyalomma species tested and correlated negatively with the presence of Coxiella, showing a potential competitive interaction. Interestingly, we detected a positive association of Francisella with Rickettsia in specimens of Hy. rufipes, suggesting a synergistic interaction between them. Finally, Midichloria was the most prevalent symbiont in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato from Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Olivieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Edward Kariuki
- Department of Veterinary Service, Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anna Maria Floriano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Michele Castelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Yohannes Mulatu Tafesse
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giulia Magoga
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Agroambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Bersissa Kumsa
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P.O Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Matteo Montagna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Agroambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
- BAT Center - Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Napoli 'Federico II', 80138, Portici, Italy
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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15
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Al-Khafaji AM, Bell-Sakyi L, Fracasso G, Luu L, Heylen D, Matthysen E, Oteo JA, Palomar AM. Isolation of Candidatus Rickettsia vini from Belgian Ixodes arboricola ticks and propagation in tick cell lines. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101511. [PMID: 32993931 PMCID: PMC7545694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Candidatus Rickettsia vini was originally detected in Ixodes arboricola ticks from Spain, and subsequently reported from several other Western Palearctic countries including Belgium. Recently, the bacterium was isolated in mammalian (Vero) cell culture from macerated male I. arboricola from Czech Republic, but there have been no reports of propagation in tick cells. Here we report isolation in a tick cell line of three strains of Ca. R. vini from I. arboricola collected from nests of great tits (Parus major) in Belgium. Internal organs of one male and two engorged female ticks were dissected aseptically, added to cultures of the Rhipicephalus microplus cell line BME/CTVM23 and incubated at 28 °C. Rickettsia-like bacteria were first seen in Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuge smears between 2 and 15 weeks later. Two of the isolates grew rapidly, destroying the tick cells within 2–4 weeks of onward passage in BME/CTVM23 cells, while the third isolate grew much more slowly, only requiring subculture at 4−5-month intervals. PCR amplification of bacterial 16S rRNA and Rickettsia gltA, sca4, ompB, ompA and 17-kDa genes revealed that all three isolates were Ca. R. vini, with 100 % identity to each other and to published Ca. R. vini sequences from other geographical locations. Transmission electron microscopy revealed typical single Rickettsia bacteria in the cytoplasm of BME/CTVM23 cells. The Ca. R. vini strain isolated from the male I. arboricola tick, designated Boshoek1, was tested for ability to grow in a panel of Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis and R. microplus cell lines and in Vero cells. The Boshoek1 strain grew rapidly, causing severe cytopathic effect, in the R. microplus line BME26, the I. ricinus line IRE11 and Vero cells, more slowly in the I. ricinus line IRE/CTVM19, possibly established a low-level infection in the I. ricinus line IRE/CTVM20, and failed to infect cells of any of four I. scapularis lines over a 12-week observation period. This study confirmed the applicability of the simple tick organ-cell line co-cultivation technique for isolation of tick-borne Rickettsia spp. using BME/CTVM23 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Al-Khafaji
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Qadisiyah Province, Iraq.
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.
| | - Gerardo Fracasso
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lisa Luu
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Science Park IC2, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK.
| | - Dieter Heylen
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, M26 Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA; Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Erik Matthysen
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - José A Oteo
- Centre of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, C/ Piqueras, 98, Logroño, 26006, La Rioja, Spain.
| | - Ana M Palomar
- Centre of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, C/ Piqueras, 98, Logroño, 26006, La Rioja, Spain.
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16
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Poli P, Lenoir J, Plantard O, Ehrmann S, Røed KH, Leinaas HP, Panning M, Guiller A. Strong genetic structure among populations of the tick Ixodes ricinus across its range. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101509. [PMID: 32993929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Ixodes ricinus is the most common and widely distributed tick species in Europe, responsible for several zoonotic diseases, including Lyme borreliosis. Population genetics of disease vectors is a useful tool for understanding the spread of pathogens and infection risks. Despite the threat to the public health due to the climate-driven distribution changes of I. ricinus, the genetic structure of tick populations, though essential for understanding epidemiology, remains unclear. Previous studies have demonstrated weak to no apparent spatial pattern of genetic differentiation between European populations. Here, we analysed the population genetic structure of 497 individuals from 28 tick populations sampled from 20 countries across Europe, the Middle-East, and northern Africa. We analysed 125 SNPs loci after quality control. We ran Bayesian and multivariate hierarchical clustering analyses to identify and describe clusters of genetically related individuals. Both clustering methods support the identification of three spatially-structured clusters. Individuals from the south and north-western parts of Eurasia form a separated cluster from northern European populations, while central European populations are a mix between the two groups. Our findings have important implications for understanding the dispersal processes that shape the spread of zoonotic diseases under anthropogenic global changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Poli
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, UMR « Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés » (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS), 33 Rue Saint Leu, 80000 Amiens CEDEX 1, France.
| | - Jonathan Lenoir
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, UMR « Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés » (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS), 33 Rue Saint Leu, 80000 Amiens CEDEX 1, France
| | | | - Steffen Ehrmann
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Knut H Røed
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, N-0033, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hans Petter Leinaas
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Box 1066 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Marcus Panning
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str, 11 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Annie Guiller
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne, UMR « Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés » (EDYSAN, UMR 7058 CNRS), 33 Rue Saint Leu, 80000 Amiens CEDEX 1, France.
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17
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Isolation and Propagation of Laboratory Strains and a Novel Flea-Derived Field Strain of Wolbachia in Tick Cell Lines. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8070988. [PMID: 32630209 PMCID: PMC7409115 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8070988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia are intracellular endosymbionts of several invertebrate taxa, including insects and nematodes. Although Wolbachia DNA has been detected in ticks, its presence is generally associated with parasitism by insects. To determine whether or not Wolbachia can infect and grow in tick cells, cell lines from three tick species, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus microplus, were inoculated with Wolbachia strains wStri and wAlbB isolated from mosquito cell lines. Homogenates prepared from fleas collected from cats in Malaysia were inoculated into an I. scapularis cell line. Bacterial growth and identity were monitored by microscopy and PCR amplification and sequencing of fragments of Wolbachia genes. The wStri strain infected Ixodes spp. cells and was maintained through 29 passages. The wAlbB strain successfully infected Ixodes spp. and R. microplus cells and was maintained through 2–5 passages. A novel strain of Wolbachia belonging to the supergroup F, designated wCfeF, was isolated in I. scapularis cells from a pool of Ctenocephalides sp. cat fleas and maintained in vitro through two passages over nine months. This is the first confirmed isolation of a Wolbachia strain from a flea and the first isolation of any Wolbachia strain outside the “pandemic” A and B supergroups. The study demonstrates that tick cells can host multiple Wolbachia strains, and can be added to panels of insect cell lines to improve success rates in isolation of field strains of Wolbachia.
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Al-Khafaji AM, Armstrong SD, Varotto Boccazzi I, Gaiarsa S, Sinha A, Li Z, Sassera D, Carlow CKS, Epis S, Makepeace BL. Rickettsia buchneri, symbiont of the deer tick Ixodes scapularis, can colonise the salivary glands of its host. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101299. [PMID: 31542229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Vertically-transmitted bacterial symbionts are widespread in ticks and have manifold impacts on the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases. For instance, they may provide essential nutrients to ticks, affect vector competence, induce immune responses in vertebrate hosts, or even evolve to become vertebrate pathogens. The deer or blacklegged tick Ixodes scapularis harbours the symbiont Rickettsia buchneri in its ovarian tissues. Here we show by molecular, proteomic and imaging methods that R. buchneri is also capable of colonising the salivary glands of wild I. scapularis. This finding has important implications for the diagnosis of rickettsial infections and for pathogen-symbiont interactions in this notorious vector of Lyme borreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Al-Khafaji
- Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Qadisiyyah Province, Iraq
| | - Stuart D Armstrong
- Institute of Infection & Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ilaria Varotto Boccazzi
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Gaiarsa
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Zhiru Li
- New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, USA
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology & Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric Clinical Research Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Olivieri E, Epis S, Castelli M, Varotto Boccazzi I, Romeo C, Desirò A, Bazzocchi C, Bandi C, Sassera D. Tissue tropism and metabolic pathways of Midichloria mitochondrii suggest tissue-specific functions in the symbiosis with Ixodes ricinus. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:1070-1077. [PMID: 31176662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A wide range of arthropod species harbour bacterial endosymbionts in various tissues, many of them playing important roles in the fitness and biology of their hosts. In several cases, many different symbionts have been reported to coexist simultaneously within the same host and synergistic or antagonistic interactions can occur between them. While the associations with endosymbiotic bacteria have been widely studied in many insect species, in ticks such interactions are less investigated. The females and immatures of Ixodes ricinus (Ixodidae), the most common hard tick in Europe, harbour the intracellular endosymbiont "Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii" with a prevalence up to 100%, suggesting a mutualistic relationship. Considering that the tissue distribution of a symbiont might be indicative of its functional role in the physiology of the host, we investigated M. mitochondrii specific localization pattern and the corresponding abundance in selected organs of I. ricinus females. We paired these experiments with in silico analysis of the metabolic pathways of M. mitochondrii, inferred from the available genome sequence, and additionally compared the presence of these pathways in seven other symbionts commonly harboured by ticks to try to obtain a comparative understanding of their biological effects on the tick hosts. M. mitochondrii was found to be abundant in ovaries and tracheae of unfed I. ricinus, and in ovaries, Malpighian tubules and salivary glands of semi-engorged females. These results, together with the in silico metabolic reconstruction allow to hypothesize that the bacterium could play multiple tissue-specific roles in the host, both enhancing the host fitness (supplying essential nutrients, enhancing the reproductive fitness, helping in the anti-oxidative defence, in the energy production and in the maintenance of homeostasis and water balance) and/or for ensuring its presence in the host population (nutrients acquisition, vertical and horizontal transmission). The ability of M. mitochondrii to colonize different tissues allows to speculate that distinctive sub-populations may display different specializations in accordance with tissue tropism. Our hypotheses should be corroborated with future nutritional and physiological experiments for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying this symbiotic interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Olivieri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Castelli
- Department of Biosciences University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Varotto Boccazzi
- Department of Biosciences University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 10, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Desirò
- Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Chiara Bazzocchi
- Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 10, 20133, Milano, Italy; Coordinated Research Center "EpiSoMI", University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Pediatric Clinical Research Center "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Sassera
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Newton ILG, Slatko BE. Symbiosis Comes of age at the 10 th Biennial Meeting of Wolbachia Researchers. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.03071-18. [PMID: 30796064 PMCID: PMC6450017 DOI: 10.1128/aem.03071-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolbachia pipientis is an alpha-proteobacterial, obligate intracellular microbe and arguably the most successful infection on our planet, colonizing 40-60% of insect species. Wolbachia are also present in most, but not all, filarial nematodes where they are obligate mutualists and are the targets for anti-filarial drug discovery. Although Wolbachia are related to important human pathogens they do not infect mammals, but instead are well known for their reproductive manipulations of insect populations, inducing the following phenotypes: male-killing, feminization, parthenogenesis induction, or cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). The most common of these, CI, results in a sperm-egg incompatibility and increases the relative fecundity of infected females in a population. In the last decade, Wolbachia have also been shown to provide a benefit to insects, where the infection can inhibit RNA virus replication within the host. Wolbachia cannot be cultivated outside of host cells and no genetic tools are available in the symbiont, limiting approaches available to its study. This means that many questions fundamental to our understanding of Wolbachia basic biology remained unknown for decades. The tenth biennial international Wolbachia conference, "Wolbachia Evolution, Ecology, Genomics and Cell Biology: A Chronicle of the Most Ubiquitous Symbiont", was held on June 17-22, 2018, Salem, MA USA. In the review below we highlight the new science presented at the meeting, link it to prior efforts to answer these questions across the Wolbachia genus, and the importance to the field of symbiosis. The topics covered in this review are based on the presentations at the conference.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barton E. Slatko
- Molecular Parasitology Group, New England BioLabs, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA
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