Association of Different Genetic Types of Francisella-Like Organisms with the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni) and the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) in Localities Near Their Northern Distributional Limits

Dergousoff, Shaun J.; Chilton, Neil B.

doi:10.1128/aem.05762-11

Cited by 38 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…This difference, however, might be explained by method sensitivity, or the possibility that FLE have a different importance in Hyalomma ticks from different areas. In H. dromedarii, we found higher FLE prevalence in males, which is in contrast to other studies that reported the prevalence of symbionts to be typically higher in females (8,(30)(31)(32). The sampling effort (17 females and 62 males) could explain this deviation, and a quantitative approach may ascertain the accuracy of this observation.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks

Azagi

Klement

Perlman

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Hyalomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are hosts for Francisella-like endosymbionts (FLE) and may serve as vectors of zoonotic disease agents. This study aimed to provide an initial characterization of the interaction between Hyalomma and FLE and to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Rickettsia in these ticks. Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma aegyptium, and Hyalomma excavatum ticks, identified morphologically and molecularly, were collected from different hosts and locations representing the distribution of the genus Hyalomma in Israel, as well as from migratory birds. A high prevalence of FLE was found in all Hyalomma species (90.6%), as well as efficient maternal transmission of FLE (91.8%), and the localization of FLE in Malpighian tubules, ovaries, and salivary glands in H. marginatum. Furthermore, we demonstrated strong cophylogeny between FLE and their host species. Contrary to FLE, the prevalence of Rickettsia ranged from 2.4% to 81.3% and was significantly different between Hyalomma species, with a higher prevalence in ticks collected from migratory birds. Using ompA gene sequences, most of the Rickettsia spp. were similar to Rickettsia aeschlimannii, while a few were similar to Rickettsia africae of the spotted fever group (SFG). Given their zoonotic importance, 249 ticks were tested for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infection, and all were negative. The results imply that Hyalomma and FLE have obligatory symbiotic interactions, indicating a potential SFG Rickettsia zoonosis risk. A further understanding of the possible influence of FLE on Hyalomma development, as well as on its infection with Rickettsia pathogens, may lead to novel ways to control tick-borne zoonoses.IMPORTANCE This study shows that Francisella-like endosymbionts were ubiquitous in Hyalomma, were maternally transmitted, and cospeciated with their hosts. These findings imply that the interaction between FLE and Hyalomma is of an obligatory nature. It provides an example of an integrative taxonomy approach to simply differentiate among species infesting the same host and to identify nymphal and larval stages to be used in further studies. In addition, it shows the potential of imported Hyalomma ticks to serve as a vector for spotted fever group rickettsiae. The information gathered in this study can be further implemented in the development of symbiont-based disease control strategies for the benefit of human health.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks

Azagi

Klement

Perlman

et al. 2017

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Other members of the Francisellaceae family are Francisellalike endosymbionts (FLEs), with currently unknown pathogenic potential (Dergousoff and Chilton, 2012). FLEs are widespread in hard and soft ticks (Sun et al, 2000;Michelet et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Francisella-like endosymbiont in Hyalomma rufipes from Ethiopia

Szigeti

Kreizinger

Hornok

et al. 2014

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases

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“…The bacterial load in each tick tissue was estimated as described previously (Budachetri and Karim, 2015; Narasimhan et al, 2014). A slightly modified published protocol was used to estimate FLE (Dergousoff and Chilton, 2012) and CMM numbers (Sassera et al, 2006). For each gene standard curves were constructed for quantifying the total bacterial load, the Rp load, the CMM load and the FLE load using the method of Budachetri et al (2017).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amblyomma maculatum SECIS binding protein 2 and putative selenoprotein P are indispensable for pathogen replication and tick fecundity

Budachetri

Crispell

Karim

2017

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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Selenium, a vital trace element, is incorporated into selenoproteins to produce selenocysteine. Our previous studies have revealed an adaptive co-evolutionary process that has enabled the spotted fever-causing tick-borne pathogen Rickettsia parkeri to survive by manipulating an antioxidant defense system associated with selenium, which includes a full set of selenoproteins and other antioxidants in ticks. Here, we conducted a systemic investigation of SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2) and putative selenoprotein P (SELENOP) by transcript silencing in adult female Gulf-coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum). Knockdown of the SBP2 and SELENOP genes depleted the respective transcript levels of these tick selenogenes, and caused differential regulation of other antioxidants. Importantly, the selenium level in the immature and mature tick stages increased significantly after a blood meal, but the selenium level decreased in ticks after the SBP2 and SELENOP knockdowns. Moreover, the SBP2 knockdown significantly impaired both transovarial transmission of R. parkeri to tick eggs and egg hatching. Overall, our data offer new insight into the relationship between the SBP2 selenoprotein synthesis gene and the putative tick SELENOP gene. It also augments our understanding of selenoprotein synthesis, selenium maintenance and utilization, and bacterial colonization of a tick vector.

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Association of Different Genetic Types of Francisella-Like Organisms with the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni) and the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) in Localities Near Their Northern Distributional Limits

Cited by 38 publications

References 43 publications

Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks

Francisella-Like Endosymbionts and Rickettsia Species in Local and Imported Hyalomma Ticks

Detection of Francisella-like endosymbiont in Hyalomma rufipes from Ethiopia

Amblyomma maculatum SECIS binding protein 2 and putative selenoprotein P are indispensable for pathogen replication and tick fecundity

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