A new method of metabarcoding Microsporidia and their hosts reveals high levels of microsporidian infections in mosquitoes (Culicidae)

ParasiteBlitz: Adaptation of the BioBlitz concept to parasitology

A BioBlitz is a rapid and intensive survey of a specific geographic area that brings together experts and often lay participants to assess biodiversity, typically of macrobiota that are easily observed and identifiable on-site. This concept has become popular across taxonomic fields, attracting interest globally to increase knowledge of local biodiversity. Inspired by the success of the approach, we undertook a 'ParasiteBlitz' at an unexplored locality (Stono Preserve, Charleston, South Carolina, USA) to determine its feasibility for parasites, whose assessment of diversity is largely neglected worldwide. We assembled a team of parasitologists with complementary expertise. Over 12 days (3 days in each habitat) in April 2023, we intensively screened fishes and aquatic invertebrates for parasites, and sampled sediment and water for environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding from four aquatic habitats: wetland, freshwater pond, brackish impoundment, and tidal creek. We incorporated assistance from non-parasitologists and students. Details on methodologies and results are provided in individual papers in this Special Collection. Traditional methods revealed the presence of ca. 100 species of seven major metazoan parasite taxa, and the eDNA survey yielded over 1,000 amplicon sequence variants identified as parasites, most with sequences unmatched in GenBank, and resulting in only a few species identified as named species in the one-year post-Blitz timeframe we imposed upon ourselves for identification. Limitations and challenges of the ParasiteBlitz are discussed, and our results support that this approach can be effective for rapid discovery of the dimensions of parasite assemblages in an understudied environment and contribute to parasitology knowledge.

The first record the Limnia unguicornis (Diptera, Sciomyzidae) parasites on a vulnerable pulmonate land snail, Vertigo moulinsiana (Gastropoda: Eupulmonata: Vertiginidae) and a literature review on Limnia species

The literature about mollusc-parasite interactions is focused on species affecting human health, such as trematodes on freshwater snails as intermediate hosts. Far less attention has been paid to parasite-snail interactions in terrestrial habitats. Here we present the first observation of a sciomyzid larva of Limnia unguicornis, parasitizing a vulnerable, tiny air-breading snail, Vertigo moulinsiana (strictly protected by Polish law). Sciomyzids are almost exclusively malacophagous but their biology and ecology are understudied. Thus, we have reviewed the available information on Limnia species and discussed the results of our research.

Interactions between microsporidia and other members of the microbiome

The microbiome is the collection of microbes that are associated with a host. Microsporidia are intracellular eukaryotic parasites that can infect most types of animals. In the last decade, there has been much progress to define the relationship between microsporidia and the microbiome. In this review, we cover an increasing number of reports suggesting that microsporidia are common components of the microbiome in both invertebrates and vertebrates. These microsporidia infections can range from mutualistic to pathogenic, causing several physiological phenotypes, including death. Infection with microsporidia often causes a disruption in the normal microbiome, with both increases and decreases of bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoan species being observed. This impact on the microbiome can occur through upregulation and downregulation of innate immunity as well as morphological changes to tissues that impact interactions with these microbes. Other microbes, particularly bacteria, can inhibit microsporidia and have been exploited to control microsporidia infections. These bacteria can function through regulating immunity, secreting anti-microsporidia compounds, and, in engineered versions, expressing double-stranded RNA targeting microsporidia genes. We end this review by discussing potential future directions to further understand the complex interactions between microsporidia and the other members of the microbiome.

Evaluating Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) as a Natural or Alternative Host for Piscine Myocarditis Virus (PMCV) Infection

Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) caused by piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV) has emerged with the rise of the aquaculture of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The lack of cell culture cultivation has hampered the study of this infection. In this study, samples from naturally PMCV-infected Atlantic salmon from different commercial farms were collected and used. In situ hybridization (ISH) revealed intense staining of PMCV RNA in myocardial cells in the spongiform layer of the heart ventricle but almost no staining in the compact layer. In the kidneys, only sporadic staining was seen. Viral RNA was present in all organs, with the highest loads in the heart, kidney, and spleen. The high viral PMCV RNA loads in the heart were due to extensive viral mRNA transcription. The high ratio of viral mRNA to viral genomic dsRNA indicated active transcription but limited production of new viral particles. This suggests that the histopathological changes in the heart are caused by viral mRNA and corresponding viral proteins and not by virus particle formation. The production of full-length transcripts is regulated, with a reduction in the relative number of ORF3-containing transcripts at high transcription rates. Efforts to identify alternative hosts, such as fungi, were inconclusive, as fungal sequences were found inconsistently in the salmon tissue samples. The results of this study reinforce the need for further research to fully understand PMCV's life cycle and potential alternative hosts and its whereabouts when it is not infecting the hearts of the Atlantic salmon.

Phylogeny, morphology, virulence, ecology, and host range of Ordospora pajunii (Ordosporidae), a microsporidian symbiont of Daphnia spp

The impacts of microsporidia on host individuals are frequently subtle and can be context dependent. A key example of the latter comes from a recently discovered microsporidian symbiont of Daphnia, the net impact of which was found to shift from negative to positive based on environmental context. Given this, we hypothesized low baseline virulence of the microsporidian; here, we investigated the impact of infection on hosts in controlled conditions and the absence of other stressors. We also investigated its phylogenetic position, ecology, and host range. The genetic data indicate that the symbiont is Ordospora pajunii, a newly described microsporidian parasite of Daphnia. We show that O. pajunii infection damages the gut, causing infected epithelial cells to lose microvilli and then rupture. The prevalence of this microsporidian could be high (up to 100% in the lab and 77% of adults in the field). Its overall virulence was low in most cases, but some genotypes suffered reduced survival and/or reproduction. Susceptibility and virulence were strongly host-genotype dependent. We found that North American O. pajunii were able to infect multiple Daphnia species, including the European species Daphnia longispina, as well as Ceriodaphnia spp. Given the low, often undetectable virulence of this microsporidian and potentially far-reaching consequences of infections for the host when interacting with other pathogens or food, this Daphnia-O. pajunii symbiosis emerges as a valuable system for studying the mechanisms of context-dependent shifts between mutualism and parasitism, as well as for understanding how symbionts might alter host interactions with resources.

IMPORTANCE

The net outcome of symbiosis depends on the costs and benefits to each partner. Those can be context dependent, driving the potential for an interaction to change between parasitism and mutualism. Understanding the baseline fitness impact in an interaction can help us understand those shifts; for an organism that is generally parasitic, it should be easier for it to become a mutualist if its baseline virulence is relatively low. Recently, a microsporidian was found to become beneficial to its Daphnia hosts in certain ecological contexts, but little was known about the symbiont (including its species identity). Here, we identify it as the microsporidium Ordospora pajunii. Despite the parasitic nature of microsporidia, we found O. pajunii to be, at most, mildly virulent; this helps explain why it can shift toward mutualism in certain ecological contexts and helps establish O. pajunii is a valuable model for investigating shifts along the mutualism-parasitism continuum.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Poland: An Update of Species Diversity and Current Challenges

This article presents the current state of knowledge of mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) occurring in Poland. In comparison to the most recently published checklists (1999 and 2007), which listed 47 mosquito species, four species (Aedes japonicus, Anopheles daciae, Anopheles hyrcanus, and Anopheles petragnani) are added to the Polish fauna. Our new checklist of Polish mosquito fauna includes 51 species of mosquitoes from five genera: Aedes (30), Anopheles (8), Coquillettidia (1), Culiseta (7), and Culex (5). Aspects of the ecology and biology of the Polish mosquito fauna, with particular emphasis on newly recorded species, are discussed.

High temperatures and low humidity promote the occurrence of microsporidians (Microsporidia) in mosquitoes (Culicidae)

BACKGROUND

In the context of climate change, a growing concern is that vector-pathogen or host-parasite interactions may be correlated with climatic factors, especially increasing temperatures. In the present study, we used a mosquito-microsporidian model to determine the impact of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, wind and rainfall on the occurrence rates of opportunistic obligate microparasites (Microsporidia) in hosts from a family that includes important disease vectors (Culicidae).

METHODS

In our study, 3000 adult mosquitoes collected from the field over 3 years were analysed. Mosquitoes and microsporidia were identified using PCR and sequencing of the hypervariable V5 region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and a shortened fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, respectively.

RESULTS

DNA metabarcoding was used to identify nine mosquito species, all of which were hosts of 12 microsporidian species. The prevalence of microsporidian DNA across all mosquito samples was 34.6%. Microsporidian prevalence in mosquitoes was more frequent during warm months (> 19 °C; humidity < 65%), as was the co-occurrence of two or three microsporidian species in a single host individual. During warm months, microsporidian occurrence was noted 1.6-fold more often than during the cold periods. Among the microsporidians found in the mosquitoes, five (representing the genera Enterocytospora, Vairimorpha and Microsporidium) were positively correlated with an increase in temperature, whereas one (Hazardia sp.) was significantly correlated with a decrease in temperature. Threefold more microsporidian co-occurrences were recorded in the warm months than in the cold months.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the susceptibility of mosquitoes to parasite occurrence is primarily determined by environmental conditions, such as, for example, temperatures > 19 °C and humidity not exceeding 62%. Collectively, our data provide a better understanding of the effects of the environment on microsporidian-mosquito interactions.

Co-Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato and Babesia spp. DNA in Ixodes ricinus Ticks Collected from Vegetation and Pets in the City of Poznań, Poland

Here, we described the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Babesia species found in mono- and double infections among Ixodes ricinus ticks occurring in urban areas of the city of Poznań, Poland. We tested 1029 host-seeking ticks and 1268 engorged ticks removed from pet animals. Borrelia afzelii and B. garinii prevailed both in ticks from vegetation (3.7% and 3.7%, respectively) and from pets (3.7% and 0.6%, respectively). Babesia canis and Ba. microti were the most prevalent in host-seeking (2.6% and 1.4%, respectively) and feeding ticks (2.8% and 2.2%, respectively). Babesia microti sequences proved to be identical to the human pathogenic Ba. microti genotype "Jena/Germany". Sequences of the rarest piroplasm Ba. venatorum (0.7%) were identical with those isolated from European patients. About 1.0% of tested ticks yielded dual infections; in host-seeking ticks, Ba. canis prevailed in co-infections with B. afzelii and B. garinii, whereas Ba. microti and B. afzelii dominated in double-infected feeding ticks. Dual infections, even with a low prevalence, pose a challenge for differential diagnosis in patients with acute febrile disease after a tick bite. The finding of Ba. canis in both tick groups suggests that I. ricinus could be involved in the circulation of this piroplasm.

An obligate microsporidian parasite modulates defense against opportunistic bacterial infection in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

The ability of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to transmit vertebrate pathogens depends on multiple factors, including the mosquitoes' life history traits, immune response, and microbiota (i.e., the microbes associated with the mosquito throughout its life). The microsporidium Edhazardia aedis is an obligate intracellular parasite that specifically infects Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and severely affects mosquito survival and other life history traits critical for pathogen transmission. In this work, we investigated how E. aedis impacts bacterial infection with Serratia marcescens in Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. We measured development, survival, and bacterial load in both larval and adult stages of mosquitoes. In larvae, E. aedis exposure was either horizontal or vertical and S. marcescens was introduced orally. Regardless of the route of transmission, E. aedis exposure resulted in significantly higher S. marcescens loads in larvae. E. aedis exposure also significantly reduced larval survival but subsequent exposure to S. marcescens had no effect. In adult females, E. aedis exposure was only horizontal and S. marcescens was introduced orally or via intrathoracic injection. In both cases, E. aedis infection significantly increased S. marcescens bacterial loads in adult female mosquitoes. In addition, females infected with E. aedis and subsequently injected with S. marcescens suffered 100% mortality which corresponded with a rapid increase in bacterial load. These findings suggest that exposure to E. aedis can influence the establishment and/or replication of other microbes in the mosquito. This has implications for understanding the ecology of mosquito immune defense and potentially disease transmission by mosquito vector species.

IMPORTANCE

The microsporidium Edhazardia aedis is a parasite of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. This mosquito transmits multiple viruses to humans in the United States and around the world, including dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide will become infected with one of these viruses each year. E. aedis infection significantly reduces the lifespan of Ae. aegypti and is therefore a promising novel biocontrol agent. Here, we show that when the mosquito is infected with this parasite, it is also significantly more susceptible to infection by an opportunistic bacterial pathogen, Serratia marcescens. This novel discovery suggests the mosquito's ability to control infection by other microbes is impacted by the presence of the parasite.

Classification and identification of mosquitoes in China based on rDNA 28S D5 region

Accurate classification and identification of mosquitoes are essential for the prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases. In this study, adult mosquitoes were collected from 15 cities across 14 provinces in China. They were identified morphologically with the dominant species determined. Furthermore, representative samples were identified at the molecular level based on rDNA 28S D5. In total, 880 adult mosquitoes were collected belonging to Culex (266), Aedes (473), Armigeres (13), and Anopheles (5). Aedes albopictus and "C. pipiens subgroup" were the dominant species. A total of 140 sequences of 28S D5 region (68 for "C. pipiens subgroup", 51 for Ae. albopictus, 18 for Ar. subalbatus, and three for An. sinensis) ranging from 148 to 161 bp were obtained, with 100 % success of amplification and sequencing. Molecular identification were consistent with morphological classification. Sequence analysis showed that "C. pipiens subgroup" was identified into three clades: the traditional C. pipiens subgroup (Clade I), the newly discovered C. cf. perexiguus (Clade II), and C. new sp. (Clade III). Clade I contained the most abundant haplotypes (16) widely distributed without geographical differences. Clade II included six haplotypes that were aggregately distributed south of the Yangtze River. Only three sequences in Clade III showed two haplotypes with no geographical differences. Further morphological comparisons demonstrated differences in body color, beaks, and abdomens among the three clades. In conclusion, the rDNA 28S D5 region could effectively distinguish Culex, Aedes, Armigeres, and Anopheles species at the lower category level, demonstrating its potential as a mini-DNA barcode for mosquito identification.

Comparing Microsporidia-targeting primers for environmental DNA sequencing

Metabarcoding is a powerful tool to detect classical, and well-known "long-branch" Microsporidia in environmental samples. Several primer pairs were developed to target these unique microbial parasites, the majority of which remain undetected when using general metabarcoding primers. Most of these Microsporidia-targeting primer pairs amplify fragments of different length of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) gene. However, we lack a broad comparison of the efficacy of those primers. Here, we conducted in silico PCRs with three short-read (which amplify a few-hundred base pairs) and two long-read (which amplify over a thousand base pairs) metabarcoding primer pairs on a variety of publicly available Microsporidia sensu lato SSU-rRNA gene sequences to test which primers capture most of the Microsporidia diversity. Our results indicate that the primer pairs do result in slight differences in inferred richness. Furthermore, some of the reverse primers are also able to bind to microsporidian subtaxa beyond the classical Microsporidia, which include the metchnikovellidan Amphiamblys spp., the chytridiopsid Chytridiopsis typographi and the "short-branch" microsporidian Mitosporidium daphniae.

Differences in the proliferation trend of 'Microsporidium' sp. PL03 in Culex pipiens and C. torrentium larvae

Our study aimed to examine whether there are differences in the proliferation trend of microsporidia in mosquito larvae of the same genus (Culex spp.). DNA-barcoding and quantitative analyses were used to determine microsporidian rDNA copies in 'early' (L1 + L2) and 'late' (L3 + L4) Culex larvae in a natural population. In the study area, C. pipiens and C. torrentium larvae were infected by 'Microsporidium' sp. PL03 at similar levels. Infection by this microsporidian species probably elicits a notable immune response in C. pipiens, whereas in C. torrentium, it may evade or suppress the host immune response.

Genomic and phenotypic evolution of nematode-infecting microsporidia

Microsporidia are a large phylum of intracellular parasites that can infect most types of animals. Species in the Nematocida genus can infect nematodes including Caenorhabditis elegans, which has become an important model to study mechanisms of microsporidia infection. To understand the genomic properties and evolution of nematode-infecting microsporidia, we sequenced the genomes of nine species of microsporidia, including two genera, Enteropsectra and Pancytospora, without any previously sequenced genomes. Core cellular processes, including metabolic pathways, are mostly conserved across genera of nematode-infecting microsporidia. Each species encodes unique proteins belonging to large gene families that are likely used to interact with host cells. Most strikingly, we observed one such family, NemLGF1, is present in both Nematocida and Pancytospora species, but not any other microsporidia. To understand how Nematocida phenotypic traits evolved, we measured the host range, tissue specificity, spore size, and polar tube length of several species in the genus. Our phylogenetic analysis shows that Nematocida is composed of two groups of species with distinct traits and that species with longer polar tubes infect multiple tissues. Together, our work details both genomic and trait evolution between related microsporidia species and provides a useful resource for further understanding microsporidia evolution and infection mechanisms.

Exposure of dogs and cats to Borrelia miyamotoi infected Ixodes ricinus ticks in urban areas of the city of Poznań, west-central Poland

Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging human pathogen that causes a relapsing fever-like disease named B. miyamotoi disease. The bacterium belongs to the relapsing fever borreliae, and similar to spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group, it is transmitted only by hard ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. To date, B. miyamotoi has not been demonstrated to cause illness in dogs or cats, and is poorly documented in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the B. miyamotoi presence in (i) host-seeking ticks and (ii) engorged Ixodes sp. ticks collected from dogs and cats during their inspection in veterinary clinics of the city of Poznań, west-central Poland. Host-seeking ticks were sampled in dog walking areas localized in urban forested recreational sites of the city. In this study, 1,059 host-seeking and 837 engorged I. ricinus ticks collected from 680 tick-infested animals (567 dogs and 113 cats) were screened. Additionally, 31 I. hexagonus ticks (one larva, 13 nymphs, and 17 females) were collected from three cats; one larva and one nymph were collected from two dogs; and one dog was infested with a single Dermacentor reticulatus female. Borrelia DNA was identified by the amplification and sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene and flaB gene fragments. DNA of B. miyamotoi was detected in 22 (2.1%) of the host-seeking ticks (in all developmental tick stages and in all study areas). In addition, the engorged I. ricinus ticks exhibited a similar B. miyamotoi presence (1.8%). Fifteen I. ricinus ticks collected from animals tested positive for the presence of B. miyamotoi DNA, and the DNA of B. miyamotoi was observed in three (9.1%; one female and two nymphs) I. hexagonus ticks. The single D. reticulatus female collected from a dog tested PCR-negative for the bacterium. The results of this study demonstrated the establishment and broad presence of the bacterium in tick populations from different urban ecosystems of the city of Poznań. The lack of difference in the mean infection presence of animal-derived and host-seeking I. ricinus ticks suggests that the systematic surveillance of pets may be useful for the evaluation of human exposure to B. miyamotoi infected ticks in urban areas. Additional studies are required to further elucidate the role of domestic and wild carnivores in the epidemiology of B. miyamotoi, which remains unknown.

Jirovecia branchilis n. sp. (Microsporidia) from glands of Branchiura sowerbyi (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) in China

Jirovecia species primarily infect oligochaetes and are typically characterized by large rod-shaped spores with a tail-like posterior prolongation. Presently, seven Jirovecia spp. are reported worldwide with only one described in China. Here, a new species, Jirovecia branchilis n. sp. was discovered in glands of oligochaetes Branchiura sowerybi Beddard, 1892 in China. Jirovecia branchilis n. sp. elicited the formation of numerous opaque xenomas of 0.12 to 0.20 mm (n = 30) in diameter. Electron microscopic observations demonstrated that the earliest developmental stages observed were uninucleate meronts residing directly with the host cytoplasm. Mature spores were rod-shaped with blunt ends and possessed a collar-like anchoring disk, a manubrium-type polar filament, a bipartite polarplast, and a three-layered spore wall. A tail-like prolongation was distinctly observed in the posterior of spores and measured 13.2-28.6 μm long (n = 30). Jirovecia branchilis n. sp. showed 98.54% sequence similarity with Janacekia tainunus isolated from the fat body of chironomidae larvae Kiefferulus tainanus based on obtained partial SSU rDNA gene sequence, but was significantly different in morphology, host, and infection sites. SSU rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis indicated Jirovecia branchilis n. sp. clustered with Janacekia tainanus within the Jirovecia-Bacillidium-Janacekia clade. In conclusion, a new species within Jirovecia, Jirovecia branchilis n. sp. is erected herein based mainly on its morphological, ecological, and to a lesser degree on its molecular characteristics. The whole relationship between Jirovecia spp., Janacekia spp., and Bacillidium spp. is in need of revision and could potentially be elucidated by using additional makers and sequencing a broader diversity of the already described species.

Microsporidians (Microsporidia) parasitic on mosquitoes (Culicidae) in central Europe are often multi-host species

Microsporidians (Microsporidia) are a diverse group of obligate and intracellular parasites of eukaryotes. There is evidence that the real species diversity in the phylum could be greatly underestimated, especially for microsporidians parasitic on invertebrates. Mosquitoes (Culicidae) are among very important microsporidian host groups. However, to date, no extensive survey on the prevalence of microsporidians in European mosquitoes has been performed. Here, we used mosquitoes collected in west-central Poland and a metabarcoding approach to examine the prevalence and diversity of microsporidian species among European mosquitoes. We found that up to one-third of mosquitoes in Europe may be infected with at least 13 microsporidian species belonging to the genera Amblyospora, Hazardia, Encephalitozoon, Enterocytospora, and Nosema and the holding genus Microsporidium. The lack of a difference in microsporidian prevalence between mosquito sexes implies that other factors, e.g., temperature or humidity, affect microsporidian occurrence in adult mosquitoes. Each microsporidian species was found in at least three mosquito species, which suggests that these microsporidians are polyxenic rather than monoxenic parasites. The co-occurrence of at least two different microsporidian species was found in 3.6% of host individuals. The abundance of microsporidian DNA sequences suggests interactions between co-occurring parasites; however, these results should be confirmed by microscopic and quantitative methods. In addition, further histological research is required to describe Microsporidium sp. PL01 or match its DNA to that of an already described species.

High-throughput phenotyping of infection by diverse microsporidia species reveals a wild C. elegans strain with opposing resistance and susceptibility traits

Animals are under constant selective pressure from a myriad of diverse pathogens. Microsporidia are ubiquitous animal parasites, but the influence they exert on shaping animal genomes is mostly unknown. Using multiplexed competition assays, we measured the impact of four different species of microsporidia on 22 wild isolates of Caenorhabditis elegans. This resulted in the identification and confirmation of 13 strains with significantly altered population fitness profiles under infection conditions. One of these identified strains, JU1400, is sensitive to an epidermal-infecting species by lacking tolerance to infection. JU1400 is also resistant to an intestinal-infecting species and can specifically recognize and destroy this pathogen. Genetic mapping of JU1400 demonstrates that these two opposing phenotypes are caused by separate loci. Transcriptional analysis reveals the JU1400 sensitivity to epidermal microsporidia infection results in a response pattern that shares similarity to toxin-induced responses. In contrast, we do not observe JU1400 intestinal resistance being regulated at the transcriptional level. The transcriptional response to these four microsporidia species is conserved, with C. elegans strain-specific differences in potential immune genes. Together, our results show that phenotypic differences to microsporidia infection amongst C. elegans are common and that animals can evolve species-specific genetic interactions.

Species Identification of the Major Japanese Encephalitis Vectors within the Culex vishnui Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand Using Geometric Morphometrics and DNA Barcoding

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection of the brain caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, which spreads globally, particularly in 24 countries of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region. In Thailand, the primary vectors of JE are Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, and Cx. vishnui of the Cx. vishnui subgroup. The morphologies of three mosquito species are extremely similar, making identification challenging. Thus, geometric morphometrics (GM) and DNA barcoding were applied for species identification. The results of cross-validation reclassification revealed that the GM technique based on wing shape analysis had relatively high potential for distinguishing Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, and Cx. vishnui (total performance = 88.34% of correctly assigned individuals). While the DNA barcoding yielded excellent results in identifying these Culex species based on the DNA barcode gap (average intraspecific genetic distance = 0.78% ± 0.39% and average interspecific genetic distance = 6.14% ± 0.79%). However, in the absence of the required facilities for DNA barcoding, GM techniques can be employed in conjunction with morphological methods to enhance the reliability of species identification. Based on the results of this study, our approach can help guide efforts to identify members of the Cx. vishnui subgroup, which will be useful for the effective vector control of JE in Thailand.

Diversity, Distribution, and Development of Hyperparasitic Microsporidia in Gregarines within One Super-Host

Metchnikovellids (Microsporidia: Metchnikovellida) are poorly studied hyperparasitic microsporidia that live in gregarines inhabiting the intestines of marine invertebrates, mostly polychaetes. Our recent studies showed that diversity of metchnikovellids might be significantly higher than previously thought, even within a single host. Four species of metchnikovellids were found in the gregarines inhabiting the gut of the polychaete Pygospio elegans from littoral populations of the White and Barents Seas: the eugregarine Polyrhabdina pygospionis is the host for Metchnikovella incurvata and M. spiralis, while the archigregarine Selenidium pygospionis is the host for M. dogieli and M. dobrovolskiji. The most common species in the White Sea is M. incurvata, while M. dobrovolskiji prevails in the Barents Sea. Gregarines within a single worm could be infected with different metchnikovellid species. However, co-infection of one and the same gregarine with several species of metchnikovellids has never been observed. The difference in prevalence and intensity of metchnikovellid invasion apparently depends on the features of the life cycle and on the development strategies of individual species.

Microsporidian Infection in Mosquitoes (Culicidae) Is Associated with Gut Microbiome Composition and Predicted Gut Microbiome Functional Content

The animal gut microbiota consist of many different microorganisms, mainly bacteria, but archaea, fungi, protozoans, and viruses may also be present. This complex and dynamic community of microorganisms may change during parasitic infection. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the presence of microsporidians on the composition of the mosquito gut microbiota and linked some microbiome taxa and functionalities to infections caused by these parasites. We characterised bacterial communities of 188 mosquito females, of which 108 were positive for microsporidian DNA. To assess how bacterial communities change during microsporidian infection, microbiome structures were identified using 16S rRNA microbial profiling. In total, we identified 46 families and four higher taxa, of which Comamonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Flavobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae were the most abundant mosquito-associated bacterial families. Our data suggest that the mosquito gut microbial composition varies among host species. In addition, we found a correlation between the microbiome composition and the presence of microsporidians. The prediction of metagenome functional content from the 16S rRNA gene sequencing suggests that microsporidian infection is characterised by some bacterial species capable of specific metabolic functions, especially the biosynthesis of ansamycins and vancomycin antibiotics and the pentose phosphate pathway. Moreover, we detected a positive correlation between the presence of microsporidian DNA and bacteria belonging to Spiroplasmataceae and Leuconostocaceae, each represented by a single species, Spiroplasma sp. PL03 and Weissella cf. viridescens, respectively. Additionally, W. cf. viridescens was observed only in microsporidian-infected mosquitoes. More extensive research, including intensive and varied host sampling, as well as determination of metabolic activities based on quantitative methods, should be carried out to confirm our results.

Microsporidian diversity in the aquatic isopod Asellus aquaticus

We conducted a molecular survey on microsporidian diversity in different lineages (operational taxonomic units = OTUs) of Asellus aquaticus from 30 sites throughout Europe. Host body length was determined, and DNA was extracted from host tissue excluding the intestine and amplified by microsporidian-specific primers. In total, 247 A. aquaticus specimens were analysed from which 26.7% were PCR-positive for microsporidians, with significantly more infections in larger individuals. Prevalence ranged between 10 and 90%. At 9 sites, no microsporidians were detected. A significant relationship was found between the frequency of infected individuals and habitat type, as well as host OTU. The lowest proportion of infected individuals was detected in spring-habitats (8.7%, n = 46) and the highest in ponds (37.7%, n = 53). Proportion of infected individuals among host OTUs A, D and J was 31.7, 21.7 and 32.1%, respectively. No infections were detected in OTU F. Our results are, however, accompanied by a partially low sample size, as only a minimum of 5 individuals was available at a few locations. Overall, 17 different microsporidian molecular taxonomic units (MICMOTUs) were distinguished with 5 abundant isolates (found in 4–17 host individuals) while the remaining 12 MICMOTUs were “rare” and found only in 1–3 host individuals. No obvious spatio-genetic pattern could be observed. The MICMOTUs predominantly belonged to Nosematida and Enterocytozoonida. The present study shows that microsporidians in A. aquaticus are abundant and diverse but do not show obvious patterns related to host genetic lineages or geography.

Microsporidia: a new taxonomic, evolutionary, and ecological synthesis

Microsporidian diversity is vast. There is a renewed drive to understand how microsporidian pathological, genomic, and ecological traits relate to their phylogeny. We comprehensively sample and phylogenetically analyse 125 microsporidian genera for which sequence data are available. Comparing these results with existing phylogenomic analyses, we suggest an updated taxonomic framework to replace the inconsistent clade numbering system, using informal taxonomic names: Glugeida (previously clades 5/3), Nosematida (4a), Enterocytozoonida (4b), Amblyosporida (3/5), Neopereziida (1), and Ovavesiculida (2). Cellular, parasitological, and ecological traits for 281 well-defined species are compared with identify clade-specific patterns across long-branch Microsporidia. We suggest that future taxonomic circumscriptions of Microsporidia should involve additional markers (SSU/ITS/LSU), and that a comprehensive suite of phenotypic and ecological traits help to predict broad microsporidian functional and lineage diversity.

Metabarcoding reveals low prevalence of microsporidian infections in castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus)

BACKGROUND

Microsporidia is a large group of eukaryotic obligate intracellular spore-forming parasites, of which 17 species can cause microsporidiosis in humans. Most human-infecting microsporidians belong to the genera Enterocytozoon and Encephalitozoon. To date, only five microsporidian species, including Encephalitozoon-like, have been found in hard ticks (Ixodidae) using microscopic methods, but no sequence data are available for them. Furthermore, no widespread screening for microsporidian-infected ticks based on DNA analysis has been carried out to date. Thus, in this study, we applied a recently developed DNA metabarcoding method for efficient microsporidian DNA identification to assess the role of ticks as potential vectors of microsporidian species causing diseases in humans.

METHODS

In total, 1070 (493 juvenile and 577 adult) unfed host-seeking Ixodes ricinus ticks collected at urban parks in the city of Poznan, Poland, and 94 engorged tick females fed on dogs and cats were screened for microsporidian DNA. Microsporidians were detected by PCR amplification and sequencing of the hypervariable V5 region of 18S rRNA gene (18S profiling) using the microsporidian-specific primer set. Tick species were identified morphologically and confirmed by amplification and sequencing of the shortened fragment of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (mini-COI).

RESULTS

All collected ticks were unambiguously assigned to I. ricinus. Potentially zoonotic Encephalitozoon intestinalis was identified in three fed ticks (3.2%) collected from three different dogs. In eight unfed host-seeking ticks (0.8%), including three males (1.1%), two females (0.7%) and three nymphs (0.7%), the new microsporidian sequence representing a species belonging to the genus Endoreticulatus was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of zoonotic microsporidians in host-seeking ticks suggests that I. ricinus is not involved in transmission of human-infecting microsporidians. Moreover, a very low occurrence of the other microsporidian species in both fed and host-seeking ticks implies that mechanisms exist to defend ticks against infection with these parasites.

Prevalence of Babesia canis DNA in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in forest and urban ecosystems in west-central Poland

Babesia canis, a widely distributed European tick-borne protozoan haemoparasite, causes canine babesiosis, the most important tick-borne disease afflicting dogs worldwide. The meadow tick, Dermacentor reticulatus, is considered to be the primary vector of this parasite in central Europe. Females of the more broadly distributed and medically important castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus, also commonly feed upon dogs, but their role in the enzootic transmission cycle of B. canis is unclear. Here, we screened 1,598 host-seeking I. ricinus ticks collected from two different ecosystems, forest stands vs. urban recreational forests, for the presence of B. canis DNA. Ticks were sampled during their two seasonal peaks of activity, spring (May/June) and late summer (September). Babesia species were identified by amplification and sequencing of a hypervariable 18S rRNA gene fragment. Babesia canis was the only piroplasm detected in 13% of 200 larvae and 8.2% of 324 nymphs in the forest ecosystems. In urban recreational areas, B. canis DNA was found in 1.5% of 460 nymphs, 3.5% of 289 females and 3.2% of 280 males. Additionally, three samples, including one female, one male, and one nymph, were co-infected with B. venatorum and one nymph with B. divergens or B. capreoli. Our findings implicate that B. canis can be transmitted transovarially and maintained transstadially within populations of I. ricinus, but the vector competence of I. ricinus for transmitting B. canis remains to be investigated.

Generation of a Microsporidia Species Attribute Database and Analysis of the Extensive Ecological and Phenotypic Diversity of Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a large group of fungus-related obligate intracellular parasites. Though many microsporidia species have been identified over the past 160 years, depiction of the full diversity of this phylum is lacking. To systematically describe the characteristics of these parasites, we created a database of 1,440 species and their attributes, including the hosts they infect and spore characteristics. We find that microsporidia have been reported to infect 16 metazoan and 4 protozoan phyla, with smaller phyla being underrepresented. Most species are reported to infect only a single host, but those that are generalists are also more likely to infect a broader set of host tissues. Strikingly, polar tubes are threefold longer in species that infect tissues besides the intestine, suggesting that polar tube length is a determinant of tissue specificity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four clades which each contain microsporidia that infect hosts from all major habitats. Although related species are more likely to infect similar hosts, we observe examples of changes in host specificity and convergent evolution. Taken together, our results show that microsporidia display vast diversity in their morphology and the hosts they infect, illustrating the flexibility of these parasites to evolve new traits.

A new method of metabarcoding Microsporidia and their hosts reveals high levels of microsporidian infections in mosquitoes (Culicidae)

DNA metabarcoding offers new perspectives, especially with regard to the high‐throughput identification and diagnostics of pathogens. Microsporidia are an example of widely distributed, opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms in which molecular identification is important for both environmental research and clinical diagnostics. We have developed a method for parallel detection of both microsporidian infection and the host species. We designed new primer sets: one specific for the classical Microsporidia (targeting the hypervariable V5 region of small subunit [ssu] rDNA), and a second one targeting a shortened fragment of the COI gene (standard metazoan DNA‐barcode); both markers are well suited for next generation sequencing. Analysis of the ssu rDNA data set representing 607 microsporidian species (120 genera) indicated that the V5 region enables identification of >98% species in the data set (596/607). To test the method, we used microsporidians that infect mosquitoes in natural populations. Using mini‐COI data, all field‐collected mosquitoes were unambiguously assigned to seven species; among them almost 60% of specimens were positive for at least 11 different microsporidian species, including a new microsporidian ssu rDNA sequence (Microsporidium sp. PL01). Phylogenetic analysis showed that this species belongs to one of the two main clades in the Terresporidia. We found a high rate of microsporidian co‐infections (9.4%). The numbers of sequence reads for the operational taxonomic units suggest that the occurrence of Nosema spp. in co‐infections could benefit them; however, this observation should be retested using a more intensive host sampling. Our results show that DNA barcoding is a rapid and cost‐effective method for deciphering sample diversity in greater resolution, including the hidden biodiversity that may be overlooked using classical methodology.