1
|
Pfingstl T, Hiruta SF, Shimano S. Mitochondrial metagenomics reveal the independent colonization of the world's coasts by intertidal oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida, Ameronothroidea). Sci Rep 2024; 14:11634. [PMID: 38773202 PMCID: PMC11109099 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59423-7] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Oribatid mites are an ancient group that already roamed terrestrial ecosystems in the early and middle Devonian. The superfamily of Ameronothroidea, a supposedly monophyletic lineage, represents the only group of oribatid mites that has successfully invaded the marine coastal environment. By using mitogenome data and nucleic ribosomal RNA genes (18S, 5.8S, 28S), we show that Ameronothroidea are a paraphyletic assemblage and that the land-to-sea transition happened three times independently. Common ancestors of the tropical Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae were the first to colonize the coasts and molecular calibration of our phylogeny dates this event to a period in the Triassic and Jurassic era (225-146 mya), whereas present-day distribution indicates that this event might have happened early in this period during the Triassic, when the supercontinent Pangaea still existed. The cold temperate northern hemispheric Ameronothridae colonized the marine littoral later in the late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous and had an ancient distribution on Laurasian coasts. The third and final land-to-sea transition happened in the same geological period, but approx. 30 my later when ancestors of Podacaridae invaded coastal marine environments of the Gondwanan landmasses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Pfingstl
- Department of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | - Shimpei F Hiruta
- Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research, National Museum of Nature and Science, Amakubo 4-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0005, Japan
| | - Satoshi Shimano
- Science Research Center, Hosei University, Fujimi 2-17-1 Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8160, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fang Y, Sun M, Fang Y, Zuo Z, Liu L, Chu L, Ding L, Hu C, Li F, Han R, Xia X, Zhou S, Sun E. Complete mitochondrial genomes of Thyreophagus entomophagus and Acarus siro (Sarcoptiformes: Astigmatina) provide insight into mitogenome features, evolution, and phylogeny among Acaroidea mites. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2022; 88:57-74. [PMID: 36255591 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00745-4] [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: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Mites from the Acaroidea (Sarcoptiformes: Astigmatina) are important pests of various stored products, posing potential threats to preserved foods. In addition, mites can cause allergic diseases. Complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are valuable resources for different research fields, including comparative genomics, molecular evolutionary analysis, and phylogenetic inference. We sequenced and annotated the complete mitogenomes of Thyreophagus entomophagus and Acarus siro. A comparative analysis was made between mitogenomic sequences from 10 species representing nine genera within Acaroidea. The mitogenomes of T. entomophagus and A. siro contained 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and one control region. In Acaroidea species, mitogenomes have highly conserved gene size and order, and codon usage. Among Acaroidea mites, most PCGs were found to be under purifying selection, implying that most PCGs might have evolved slowly. Our findings showed that nad4 evolved most rapidly, whereas cox1 and cox3 evolved most slowly. The evolutionary rates of Acaroidea vary considerably across families. In addition, selection analyses were also performed in 23 astigmatid mite species, and the evolutionary rate of the same genes in different superfamilies exhibited large differences. Phylogenetic results are mostly consistent with those identified by previous phylogenetic studies on astigmatid mites. The monophyly of Acaroidea was rejected, and the Suidasiidae and Lardoglyphidae appeared to deviate from the Acaroidea branch. Our research proposed a review of the current Acaroidea classification system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Mingzhong Sun
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Ying Fang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Zetao Zuo
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Luyao Liu
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Lingmiao Chu
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Lan Ding
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Caixiao Hu
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Feiyan Li
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Renrui Han
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Xingquan Xia
- College of Life Science, The Provincial Key Lab of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.
| | - Shulin Zhou
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China.
| | - Entao Sun
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moroni B, Rossi L, Bernigaud C, Guillot J. Zoonotic Episodes of Scabies: A Global Overview. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020213. [PMID: 35215156 PMCID: PMC8877739 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoonotic scabies (ZS), also referred to as “pseudoscabies”, is considered a self-limiting disease with a short incubation period and transient clinical skin signs. It is commonly thought that Sarcoptes scabiei mites from animals are unable to successfully reproduce and persist on human skin; however, several ZS case reports have mentioned the persistence of symptoms and occasionally mites for weeks. The aim of this review was to collect and organize the sparse literature explicitly referring to S. scabiei zoonotic transmission, focusing on the source of the outbreak, the circumstances leading to the transmission of the parasite, the diagnosis including the identification of the Sarcoptes “strain” involved, and the applied treatments. A total of 46 articles, one conference abstract and a book were collected describing ZS cases associated with twenty animal hosts in five continents. Dogs were by far the most common source among pet owners, while diverse livestock and wildlife contributed to the caseload as an occupational disease. Genetic epidemiological studies of ZS outbreaks are still limited in number, but tools are available to fill this knowledge gap in the near future. Further research is also needed to understand the apparent heterogeneity in the morbidity, disease severity and timing of the response to treatment among people infected with different animal-derived strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Moroni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy;
| | - Charlotte Bernigaud
- Research Group Dynamic, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UPEC, USC Anses, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.B.); (J.G.)
- Department of Dermatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Faculté de Santé, UPEC, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Jacques Guillot
- Research Group Dynamic, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UPEC, USC Anses, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.B.); (J.G.)
- Department of Dermatology, Parasitology and Mycology, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Nantes, Oniris, 44307 Nantes, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Thia JA, Young ND, Korhnen PK, Yang Q, Gasser RB, Umina PA, Hoffmann AA. The mitogenome of Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) and its relationships with other trombidiform mites as inferred from nucleotide sequences and gene arrangements. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:14162-14174. [PMID: 34707848 PMCID: PMC8525180 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Tucker, 1925: Trombidiformes, Eupodoidea, Penthaleidae), is an invasive mite species. In Australia, this mite has become a pest of winter pastures and grain crops. We report the complete mitogenome for H. destructor, the first to represent the family Penthaleidae, superfamily Eupodoidea. The mitogenome of H. destructor is 14,691 bp in size, and has a GC content of 27.87%, 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. We explored evolutionary relationships of H. destructor with other members of the Trombidiformes using phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequences and the order of protein-coding and rRNA genes. We found strong, consistent support for the superfamily Tydeoidea being the sister taxon to the superfamily Eupodoidea based on nucleotide sequences and gene arrangements. Moreover, the gene arrangements of Eupodoidea and Tydeoidea are not only identical to each other but also identical to that of the hypothesized arthropod ancestor, showing a high level of conservatism in the mitogenomic structure of these mite superfamilies. Our study illustrates the utility of gene arrangements for providing complementary information to nucleotide sequences with respect to inferring the evolutionary relationships of species within the order Trombidiformes. The mitogenome of H. destructor provides a valuable resource for further population genetic studies of this important agricultural pest. Given the co-occurrence of closely related, morphologically similar Penthaleidae mites with H. destructor in the field, a complete mitogenome provides new opportunities to develop metabarcoding tools to study mite diversity in agro-ecosystems. Moreover, the H. destructor mitogenome fills an important taxonomic gap that will facilitate further study of trombidiform mite evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A. Thia
- Bio 21 Institute, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Neil D. Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary SchoolThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Pasi K. Korhnen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary SchoolThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Qiong Yang
- Bio 21 Institute, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary SchoolThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Paul A. Umina
- Bio 21 Institute, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Cesar AustraliaBrunswickVictoriaAustralia
| | - Ary A. Hoffmann
- Bio 21 Institute, School of BioSciencesThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
First Description of the Composition and the Functional Capabilities of the Skin Microbial Community Accompanying Severe Scabies Infestation in Humans. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050907. [PMID: 33922793 PMCID: PMC8146700 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050907] [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: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies link Sarcoptes scabiei infection and impetigo. Scabies mites can promote Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) and Staphylococcus aureus infections by breaching the skin barrier and excreting molecules that inhibit host innate immune responses. However, little is known about the composition and the function of the scabies-associated microbiota. Here, high-throughput whole-metagenome sequencing was used to explore the scabies-associated microbiome. Scabies mites including their immediate microenvironments were isolated from two patients with severe scabies in Northern Australia. Two ~45–50 million paired-end reads Illumina libraries were generated of which ~2 (5.1%) and 0.7 million (1.3%) microbial reads were filtered out by mapping to human (hg19) and mite draft genomes. Taxonomic profiling revealed a microbial community dominated by the phylum Firmicutes (A: 79% and B: 59%) and genera that comprise Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, and Corynebacterium. Assembly of the metagenome reads resulted in genome bins representing reference genomes of Acinetobacter baumannii, Streptococcus dysgalactiae (Group C/G), Proteus mirablis and Staphylococcus aureus. The contigs contained genes relevant to pathogenicity and antibiotics resistance. Confocal microscopy of a patient skin sample confirmed A. baumannii, Streptococci and S. aureus in scabies mite gut and faeces and the surrounding skin. The study provides fundamental evidence for the association of opportunistic pathogens with scabies infection.
Collapse
|
6
|
Warren JM, Sloan DB. Hopeful monsters: unintended sequencing of famously malformed mite mitochondrial tRNAs reveals widespread expression and processing of sense-antisense pairs. NAR Genom Bioinform 2021; 3:lqaa111. [PMID: 33575653 PMCID: PMC7803006 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqaa111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although tRNA structure is one of the most conserved and recognizable shapes in molecular biology, aberrant tRNAs are frequently found in the mitochondrial genomes of metazoans. The extremely degenerate structures of several mitochondrial tRNAs (mt-tRNAs) have led to doubts about their expression and function. Mites from the arachnid superorder Acariformes are predicted to have some of the shortest mt-tRNAs, with a complete loss of cloverleaf-like shape. While performing mitochondrial isolations and recently developed tRNA-seq methods in plant tissue, we inadvertently sequenced the mt-tRNAs from a common plant pest, the acariform mite Tetranychus urticae, to a high enough coverage to detect all previously annotated T. urticae tRNA regions. The results not only confirm expression, CCA-tailing and post-transcriptional base modification of these highly divergent tRNAs, but also revealed paired sense and antisense expression of multiple T. urticae mt-tRNAs. Mirrored expression of mt-tRNA genes has been hypothesized but not previously demonstrated to be common in any system. We discuss the functional roles that these divergent tRNAs could have as both decoding molecules in translation and processing signals in transcript maturation pathways, as well as how sense–antisense pairs add another dimension to the bizarre tRNA biology of mitochondrial genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Warren
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80521 USA
| | - Daniel B Sloan
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80521 USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lu C, Huang X, Deng J. The challenge of Coccidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) mitochondrial genomes: The case of Saissetia coffeae with novel truncated tRNAs and gene rearrangements. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 158:854-864. [PMID: 32387610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
There have been few reports of complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of scale insects, and it has been indicated that complex and novel structures in their mitogenomes may lead to difficulties in sequencing, assembly and annotation. Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) usually possess typical cloverleaf secondary structures, and truncated tRNAs are rarely found in insect mitogenomes. Here, we report a complete Saissetia coffeae mitogenome (15,389 bp) with high A+T content (84.7%) sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods. Genes in the mitogenome were annotated, and nine tRNAs were not found using MITOS. Most of the detected tRNAs were significantly truncated without the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm or the TΨC (T) arm. In addition, the 9 "lost" tRNAs containing mismatched base pairs were retrieved based on the tRNA annotation workflow for Coccidae described in our study. The gene arrangement in the Saissetia coffeae mitogenome was significantly different from that in other hemipteran insects. Additionally, Bayesian and maximum likelihood trees based on the mitochondrial genes showed a long branch of the Saissetia lineage, indicating significant nonsynonymous substitutions or high evolutionary rates in the Saissetia lineage. We provide a reference mitogenome for the assembly and annotation of the Coccidae mitogenome and offer insights into the evolution of scale insects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Xiaolei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jun Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fang WX, Dong FY, Sun ET, Tao DD, Wang Y, Xu JY, Fang Y, Zhan XB, Ye CJ. De novo sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Sarcoptiformes) including 22 tRNA sequences and the largest non-coding region. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 80:521-530. [PMID: 32162137 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00477-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we de novo sequenced and analyzed the circular mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Tyrophagus putrescentiae. It was 14,156 bp long and contained a complete set of 37 genes, contrary to the initial published sequences; it included 22 tRNA sequences and the largest non-coding region. The mtDNA gene order of T. putrescentiae was found to be identical to that of Aleuroglyphus ovatus, Caloglyphus berlesei, and Rhizoglyphus robini (all Acaroidea). Most tRNAs of T. putrescentiae lack at least a D-arm or T-arm. Tyrophagus putrescentiae tRNAs also shared considerable structural and sequence similarity with the tRNAs of other reported Acaroidea species that have the full set of tRNAs. The largest non-coding region was located between trnF and trnS1, and it contained a microsatellite-like (AT)n sequence, short palindromic sequences, and several hairpin loops, as observed in other reported Acaroidea species (excepting Tyrophagus longior).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Xi Fang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Fang-Yuan Dong
- Department of Pathology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - En-Tao Sun
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China.
| | - Dong-Dong Tao
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Jiao-Yang Xu
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| | - Xue-Bing Zhan
- Department of Pathology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Chang-Jiang Ye
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241002, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bernigaud C, Fernando DD, Lu H, Taylor S, Hartel G, Chosidow O, Fischer K. How to eliminate scabies parasites from fomites: A high-throughput ex vivo experimental study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2019; 83:241-245. [PMID: 31857110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.11.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Bernigaud
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Infectious Diseases Program, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; Dermatology Department, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France; Research group Dynamyc, EA7380, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Est, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, USC ANSES, Créteil, France
| | - Deepani D Fernando
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Infectious Diseases Program, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Hieng Lu
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Infectious Diseases Program, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sara Taylor
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Infectious Diseases Program, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gunter Hartel
- Statistics Unit, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Olivier Chosidow
- Dermatology Department, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Katja Fischer
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Infectious Diseases Program, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
The complete mitochondrial genome of Sarcoptes scabiei var. nyctereutis from the Japanese raccoon dog: Prediction and detection of two transfer RNAs (tRNA-A and tRNA-Y). Genomics 2019; 111:1183-1191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
11
|
Bernigaud C, Samarawickrama GR, Jones MK, Gasser RB, Fischer K. The Challenge of Developing a Single-Dose Treatment for Scabies. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:931-943. [PMID: 31474559 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.08.002] [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: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Scabies is a common skin disease with an estimated worldwide incidence of 200 million people infected per year. Its morbidity and mortality is principally due to secondary bacterial infections, a link now well recognized and prompting the recent inclusion of this disease-complex in the WHO list of neglected tropical diseases. The few treatments available are poorly effective against Sarcoptes scabiei eggs and appear to induce resistance in the parasite. An ideal alternative would be a single-dose regimen that kills all developmental stages, including eggs. Drugs used in the veterinary field and applied to other arthropods could be tested experimentally in an established pig-scabies model. Moreover, functional genomics combined with target validation through biochemical research should assist in identifying new drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Bernigaud
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane 4006, Australia; Dermatology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France; Research group Dynamyc, EA7380, Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort, Université Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Gangi R Samarawickrama
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane 4006, Australia
| | - Malcolm K Jones
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katja Fischer
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Program, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane 4006, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Swe PM, Zakrzewski M, Waddell R, Sriprakash KS, Fischer K. High-throughput metagenome analysis of the Sarcoptes scabiei internal microbiota and in-situ identification of intestinal Streptomyces sp. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11744. [PMID: 31409870 PMCID: PMC6692375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47892-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple parasitic arthropods of medical importance depend on symbiotic bacteria. While the link between scabies and secondary bacterial infections causing post infective complications of Group A streptococcal and staphylococcal pyoderma is increasingly recognized, very little is known about the microbiota of Sarcoptes scabiei. Here we analyze adult female mite and egg metagenome datasets. The majority of adult mite bacterial reads matched with Enterobacteriaceae (phylum Proteobacteria), followed by Corynebacteriaceae (phylum Actinobacteria). Klebsiella was the most dominant genus (78%) and Corynebacterium constituted 9% of the assigned sequences. Scabies mite eggs had a more diverse microbial composition with sequences from Proteobacteria being the most dominant (75%), while Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes accounted for 23% of the egg microbiome sequences. DNA sequences of a potential endosymbiont, namely Streptomyces, were identified in the metagenome sequence data of both life stages. The presence of Streptomyces was confirmed by conventional PCR. Digital droplet PCR indicated higher Streptomyces numbers in adult mites compared to eggs. Streptomyces were localized histologically in the scabies mite gut and faecal pellets by Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH). Streptomyces may have essential symbiotic roles in the scabies parasite intestinal system requiring further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pearl M Swe
- Infectious Diseases Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Martha Zakrzewski
- Medical Genomics Program, Genetics & Computational Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rebecca Waddell
- Infectious Diseases Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kadaba S Sriprakash
- Infectious Diseases Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Katja Fischer
- Infectious Diseases Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Li WN, Xue XF. Mitochondrial genome reorganization provides insights into the relationship between oribatid mites and astigmatid mites (Acari: Sarcoptiformes: Oribatida). Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Oribatida s.l. represents one of the most species-rich mite lineages, including two recognized groups: oribatid mites (Oribatida s.s., non-astigmatan oribatids) and astigmatid mites (Astigmata). However, the relationship between these two groups has been debated. Here, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of one oribatid mite and one astigmatid mite, retrieved complete mt genomes of three oribatid mites, and compared them with two other oribatid mites and 12 astigmatid mites sequenced previously. We find that gene orders in the mt genomes of both oribatid mites and astigmatid mites are rearranged relative to the hypothetical ancestral arrangement of the arthropods. Based on the shared derived gene clusters in each mt genome group, rearranged mt genomes are roughly divided into two groups corresponding to each mite group (oribatid mites or astigmatid mites). Phylogenetic results show that Astigmata nested in Oribatida. The monophyly of Astigmata is recovered, while paraphyly of Oribatida s.s. is observed. Our results show that rearranged gene orders in the mt genomes characterize various lineages of oribatid mites and astigmatid mites, and have potential phylogenetic information for resolving the high-level (cohort or supercohort) phylogeny of Oribatida.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ning Li
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Xue XF, Deng W, Qu SX, Hong XY, Shao R. The mitochondrial genomes of sarcoptiform mites: are any transfer RNA genes really lost? BMC Genomics 2018; 19:466. [PMID: 29914378 PMCID: PMC6006854 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4868-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial (mt) genomes of animals typically contain 37 genes for 13 proteins, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. In sarcoptiform mites, the entire set of mt tRNA genes is present in Aleuroglyphus ovatus, Caloglyphus berlesei, Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, Histiostoma blomquisti and Psoroptes cuniculi. Loss of 16 mt tRNA genes, however, was reported in Steganacarus magnus; loss of 2-3 tRNA genes was reported in Tyrophagus longior, T. putrescentiae and Sarcoptes scabiei. Nevertheless, convincing evidence for mt gene loss is lacking in these mites. RESULTS We sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of two sarcoptiform mites, Histiostoma feroniarum (13,896 bp) and Rhizoglyphus robini (14,244 bp). Using tRNAScan and ARWEN programs, we identified 16 and 17 tRNA genes in the mt genomes of H. feroniarum and R. robini, respectively. The other six mt tRNA genes in H. feroniarum and five mt tRNA genes in R. robini can only be identified manually by sequence comparison when alternative anticodons are considered. We applied this manual approach to other mites that were reported previously to have lost mt tRNA genes. We were able to identify all of the 16 mt tRNA genes that were reported as lost in St. magnus, two of the three mt tRNA genes that were reported as lost in T. longior and T. putrescentiae, and the two mt tRNA genes that were reported as lost in Sa. scabiei. All of the tRNA genes inferred from these manually identified genes have truncation in the arms and mismatches in the stems. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal very unconventional tRNA structures in sarcoptiform mites and do not support the loss of mt tRNA genes in these mites. The functional implication of the drastic structural changes in these tRNA genes remains to be investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Feng Xue
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 Jiangsu China
| | - Wei Deng
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 Jiangsu China
| | - Shao-Xuan Qu
- Institute of Vegetable Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014 Jiangsu China
| | - Xiao-Yue Hong
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 Jiangsu China
| | - Renfu Shao
- GeneCology Research Centre, Centre for Animal Health Innovation, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4556 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
The mitochondrial genome of the oribatid mite Paraleius leontonychus: new insights into tRNA evolution and phylogenetic relationships in acariform mites. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7558. [PMID: 29765106 PMCID: PMC5954100 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25981-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bilaterian mitochondrial (mt) genomes are circular molecules that typically contain 37 genes. To date, only a single complete mitogenome sequence is available for the species-rich sarcoptiform mite order Oribatida. We sequenced the mitogenome of Paraleius leontonychus, another species of this suborder. It is 14,186 bp long and contains 35 genes, including only 20 tRNAs, lacking tRNAGly and tRNATyr. Re-annotation of the mitogenome of Steganacarus magnus increased the number of mt tRNAs for this species to 12. As typical for acariform mites, many tRNAs are highly truncated in both oribatid species. The total number of tRNAs and the number of tRNAs with a complete cloverleaf-like structure in P. leontonychus, however, clearly exceeds the numbers previously reported for Sarcoptiformes. This indicates, contrary to what has been previously assumed, that reduction of tRNAs is not a general characteristic for sarcoptiform mites. Compared to other Sarcoptiformes, the two oribatid species have the least rearranged mt genome with respect to the pattern observed in Limulus polyphemus, a basal arachnid species. Phylogenetic analysis of the newly sequenced mt genome and previously published data on other acariform mites confirms paraphyly of the Oribatida and an origin of the Astigmata within the Oribatida.
Collapse
|
16
|
Grahofer A, Bannoehr J, Nathues H, Roosje P. Sarcoptes infestation in two miniature pigs with zoonotic transmission - a case report. BMC Vet Res 2018. [PMID: 29534710 PMCID: PMC5850925 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1420-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scabies is a contagious skin disease rarely described in miniature pigs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, a zoonotic transfer from infected pet pigs to humans has not been reported previously. Case presentation This case report describes the infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei mites in two miniature pigs presenting with unusual clinical signs, and disease transmission to a child. Two 7-month-old male castrated miniature pig siblings were examined. Both had developed skin lesions, one animal was presented for neurological signs and emaciation. They were housed together in an indoor- and outdoor enclosure. Dermatological examination revealed a dull, greasy coat with generalized hypotrichosis and multifocal erythema. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings, impression smears of affected skin and ear swabs revealed high numbers of Sarcoptes mites in both animals as well as bacterial overgrowth. A subcutaneous injection of ivermectin 0.3 mg/kg was administered to both animals and repeated after 2 weeks. Both miniature pigs received subcutaneous injections with butafosfan and cyanocobalamin, were washed with a 3% chlorhexidine shampoo and were fed on a well-balanced diet. Pig enclosures were cleaned. The infested child was examined by a physician and an antipruritic cream was prescribed. Both miniature pigs and the child went into clinical remission after treatment. Conclusion Sarcoptic mange is rare or even eradicated in commercial pig farming in many countries but miniature pigs may represent a niche for Sarcoptes scabiei infections. This case report indicates that miniature pigs kept as pets can efficiently transmit zoonotic disease to humans. In addition, these animals may represent a niche for Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in countries where sarcoptic mange in commercial pig farms has been eradicated and could therefore pose, a hazard for specific pathogen free farms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Grahofer
- Clinic for Swine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012, Bern, CH, Switzerland.
| | - Jeanette Bannoehr
- Dermatology Department, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, Cardiff, CB8 7UU, UK
| | - Heiko Nathues
- Clinic for Swine, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, 3012, Bern, CH, Switzerland
| | - Petra Roosje
- Division of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Länggassstrasse 128, 3012, Berne, CH, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Fraser TA, Martin A, Polkinghorne A, Carver S. Comparative diagnostics reveals PCR assays on skin scrapings is the most reliable method to detect Sarcoptes scabiei infestations. Vet Parasitol 2018; 251:119-124. [PMID: 29426467 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is a globally significant parasitic disease of humans and other animals, both domestic and wild. But clinical diagnosis of S. scabiei infestation, using the standard skin scraping followed by microscopy technique, remains highly variable (predominantly due to false-negatives), and a major challenge for human and animal welfare. Here, we utilised a unique sample set from bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) to evaluate a variety of putatively useful diagnostic approaches for S. scabiei. Against the standard of skin scrapings followed by microscopy, we compared observational scoring of mange severity (often employed in field studies of wildlife), PCR on skin scrapings (recently proposed as an improvement for humans and other animals), and PCR on skin swabs (proposed a non-invasive method for humans and other animals). We find that observational scoring positively correlated with counts of S. scabiei from skin scrapings, particularly as mange severity increases, but underdiagnoses early mange. Species-specific PCR for S. scabiei on skin scrapings had enhanced capacity for mite detection relative to microscopy. Finally, the non-invasive sampling method of PCR on skin swab samples had a high congruence to skin scraping microscopy, however prospective false negatives as a consequence to sampling is concerning. To our knowledge, this is the first study to simultaneously assess this combination of methods for S. scabiei diagnosis. We conclude that PCR on skin scrapings as an advancement on traditional microscopy, and the other techniques (observational, skin swabs and microscopy) remain useful, but harbour greater false-negatives. Outcomes are transferrable to diagnosis of S. scabiei for other host species, including humans, particularly for crusted mange and potentially ordinary mange also.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamieka A Fraser
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, 7001, TAS, Australia; Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, 91 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, 4556, QLD, Australia.
| | - Alynn Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, 7001, TAS, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, 91 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, 4556, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, 7001, TAS, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sarcoptes scabiei on hedgehogs in New Zealand. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:697-703. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5739-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
19
|
Fraser TA, Shao R, Fountain-Jones NM, Charleston M, Martin A, Whiteley P, Holme R, Carver S, Polkinghorne A. Mitochondrial genome sequencing reveals potential origins of the scabies mite Sarcoptes scabiei infesting two iconic Australian marsupials. BMC Evol Biol 2017; 17:233. [PMID: 29183283 PMCID: PMC5706379 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-1086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Debilitating skin infestations caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, have a profound impact on human and animal health globally. In Australia, this impact is evident across different segments of Australian society, with a growing recognition that it can contribute to rapid declines of native Australian marsupials. Cross-host transmission has been suggested to play a significant role in the epidemiology and origin of mite infestations in different species but a chronic lack of genetic resources has made further inferences difficult. To investigate the origins and molecular epidemiology of S. scabiei in Australian wildlife, we sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of S. scabiei from diseased wombats (Vombatus ursinus) and koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) spanning New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, and compared them with the recently sequenced mitochondrial genome sequences of S. scabiei from humans. RESULTS We found unique S. scabiei haplotypes among individual wombat and koala hosts with high sequence similarity (99.1% - 100%). Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length mitochondrial genomes revealed three clades of S. scabiei (one human and two marsupial), with no apparent geographic or host species pattern, suggestive of multiple introductions. The availability of additional mitochondrial gene sequences also enabled a re-evaluation of a range of putative molecular markers of S. scabiei, revealing that cox1 is the most informative gene for molecular epidemiological investigations. Utilising this gene target, we provide additional evidence to support cross-host transmission between different animal hosts. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest a history of parasite invasion through colonisation of Australia from hosts across the globe and the potential for cross-host transmission being a common feature of the epidemiology of this neglected pathogen. If this is the case, comparable patterns may exist elsewhere in the 'New World'. This work provides a basis for expanded molecular studies into mange epidemiology in humans and animals in Australia and other geographic regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamieka A. Fraser
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, TAS Australia
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD Australia
| | - Renfu Shao
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD Australia
| | | | - Michael Charleston
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, TAS Australia
- School of Information Technologies, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
| | - Alynn Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, TAS Australia
| | - Pam Whiteley
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC Australia
| | - Roz Holme
- Cedar Creek Wombat Rescue Inc. & Hospital, Cedar Creek, NSW Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Hobart, TAS Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
The disease scabies is one of the earliest diseases of humans for which the cause was known. It is caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, that burrows in the epidermis of the skin of humans and many other mammals. This mite was previously known as Acarus scabiei DeGeer, 1778 before the genus Sarcoptes was established (Latreille 1802) and it became S. scabiei. Research during the last 40 years has tremendously increased insight into the mite’s biology, parasite-host interactions, and the mechanisms it uses to evade the host’s defenses. This review highlights some of the major advancements of our knowledge of the mite’s biology, genome, proteome, and immunomodulating abilities all of which provide a basis for control of the disease. Advances toward the development of a diagnostic blood test to detect a scabies infection and a vaccine to protect susceptible populations from becoming infected, or at least limiting the transmission of the disease, are also presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larry G Arlian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA.
| | - Marjorie S Morgan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Fernando DD, Marr EJ, Zakrzewski M, Reynolds SL, Burgess STG, Fischer K. Gene silencing by RNA interference in Sarcoptes scabiei: a molecular tool to identify novel therapeutic targets. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:289. [PMID: 28601087 PMCID: PMC5466799 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2226-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scabies is one of the most common and widespread parasitic skin infections globally, affecting a large range of mammals including humans, yet the molecular biology of Sarcoptes scabiei is astonishingly understudied. Research has been hampered primarily due to the difficulty of sampling or culturing these obligatory parasitic mites. A further and major impediment to identify and functionally analyse potential therapeutic targets from the recently emerging molecular databases is the lack of appropriate molecular tools. METHODS We performed standard BLAST based searches of the existing S. scabiei genome databases using sequences of genes described to be involved in RNA interference in Drosophila and the mite model organism Tetranychus urticae. Experimenting with the S. scabiei mu-class glutathione S-transferase (SsGST-mu1) as a candidate gene we explored the feasibility of gene knockdown in S. scabiei by double-stranded RNA-interference (dsRNAi). RESULTS We provide here an analysis of the existing S. scabiei draft genomes, confirming the presence of a double stranded RNA (dsRNA) - mediated silencing machinery. We report for the first time experimental gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) in S. scabiei. Non-invasive immersion of S. scabiei in dsRNA encoding an S. scabiei glutathione S-transferase mu-class 1 enzyme (SsGST-mu1) resulted in a 35% reduction in the transcription of the target gene compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS A series of experiments identified the optimal conditions allowing systemic experimental RNAi without detrimental side effects on mite viability. This technique can now be used to address the key questions on the fundamental aspects of mite biology and pathogenesis, and to assess the potential therapeutic benefits of silencing S. scabiei target genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepani D. Fernando
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, 4006 Australia
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343 Australia
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Edward J. Marr
- Parasitology Division, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Martha Zakrzewski
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, 4006 Australia
| | - Simone L. Reynolds
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, 4006 Australia
| | - Stewart T. G. Burgess
- Parasitology Division, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland EH26 0PZ UK
| | - Katja Fischer
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Department, 300 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, 4006 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mofiz E, Holt DC, Seemann T, Currie BJ, Fischer K, Papenfuss AT. Genomic resources and draft assemblies of the human and porcine varieties of scabies mites, Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis and var. suis. Gigascience 2016; 5:23. [PMID: 27250856 PMCID: PMC4890329 DOI: 10.1186/s13742-016-0129-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The scabies mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, is a parasitic arachnid and cause of the infectious skin disease scabies in humans and mange in other animal species. Scabies infections are a major health problem, particularly in remote Indigenous communities in Australia, where secondary group A streptococcal and Staphylococcus aureus infections of scabies sores are thought to drive the high rate of rheumatic heart disease and chronic kidney disease. Results We sequenced the genome of two samples of Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis obtained from unrelated patients with crusted scabies located in different parts of northern Australia using the Illumina HiSeq. We also sequenced samples of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis from a pig model. Because of the small size of the scabies mite, these data are derived from pools of thousands of mites and are metagenomic, including host and microbiome DNA. We performed cleaning and de novo assembly and present Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis and var. suis draft reference genomes. We have constructed a preliminary annotation of this reference comprising 13,226 putative coding sequences based on sequence similarity to known proteins. Conclusions We have developed extensive genomic resources for the scabies mite, including reference genomes and a preliminary annotation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13742-016-0129-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ehtesham Mofiz
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Deborah C Holt
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia
| | - Torsten Seemann
- Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Bart J Currie
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia
| | - Katja Fischer
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Bioinformatics Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Fraser TA, Charleston M, Martin A, Polkinghorne A, Carver S. The emergence of sarcoptic mange in Australian wildlife: an unresolved debate. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:316. [PMID: 27255333 PMCID: PMC4890250 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1578-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its suspected increase in host range and subsequent global diversification, Sarcoptes scabiei has important implications at a global scale for wildlife conservation and animal and human health. The introduction of this pathogen into new locations and hosts has been shown to produce high morbidity and mortality, a situation observed recently in Australian and North American wildlife. Of the seven native animal species in Australia known to be infested by S. scabiei, the bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) suffers the greatest with significant population declines having been observed in New South Wales and Tasmania. The origins of sarcoptic mange in Australian native animals are poorly understood, with the most consistent conclusion being that mange was introduced by settlers and their dogs and subsequently becoming a major burden to native wildlife. Four studies exist addressing the origins of mange in Australia, but all Australian S. scabiei samples derive from only two of these studies. This review highlights this paucity of phylogenetic knowledge of S. scabiei within Australia, and suggests further research is needed to confidently determine the origin, or multiple origins, of this parasite. At the global scale, numerous genetic studies have attempted to reveal how the host species and host geographic location influence S. scabiei phylogenetics. This review includes an analysis of the global literature, revealing that inconsistent use of gene loci across studies significantly influences phylogenetic inference. Furthermore, by performing a contemporary analytical approach on existing data, it is apparent that (i) new S. scabiei samples, (ii) appropriate gene loci targets, and (iii) advanced phylogenetic approaches are necessary to more confidently comprehend the origins of mange in Australia. Advancing this field of research will aid in understanding the mechanisms of spillover for mange and other parasites globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamieka A Fraser
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, 7001, TAS, Australia. .,Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 91 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, 4556, QLD, Australia.
| | - Michael Charleston
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, 7001, TAS, Australia.,School of Information Technologies, University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alynn Martin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, 7001, TAS, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 91 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, 4556, QLD, Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, 7001, TAS, Australia
| |
Collapse
|