Survey of Ixodes pacificus Ticks in California Reveals a Diversity of Microorganisms and a Novel and Widespread Anaplasmataceae Species

Abstract

Ixodes pacificus ticks can harbor a wide range of human and animal pathogens. To survey the prevalence of tick-borne known and putative pathogens, we tested 982 individual adult and nymphal I. pacificus ticks collected throughout California between 2007 and 2009 using a broad-range PCR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) assay designed to detect a wide range of tick-borne microorganisms. Overall, 1.4% of the ticks were found to be infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, 2.0% were infected with Borrelia miyamotoi and 0.3% were infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In addition, 3.0% were infected with Babesia odocoilei. About 1.2% of the ticks were co-infected with more than one pathogen or putative pathogen. In addition, we identified a novel Anaplasmataceae species that we characterized by sequencing of its 16S rRNA, groEL, gltA, and rpoB genes. Sequence analysis indicated that this organism is phylogenetically distinct from known Anaplasma species with its closest genetic near neighbors coming from Asia. The prevalence of this novel Anaplasmataceae species was as high as 21% at one site, and it was detected in 4.9% of ticks tested statewide. Based upon this genetic characterization we propose that this organism be called ‘Candidatus Cryptoplasma californiense’. Knowledge of this novel microbe will provide awareness for the community about the breadth of the I. pacificus microbiome, the concept that this bacterium could be more widely spread; and an opportunity to explore whether this bacterium also contributes to human or animal disease burden.

Paired real-time PCR assays for detection of Borrelia miyamotoi in North American Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…The California Department of Public Health first detected B. miyamotoi in I. pacificus adults in 2000 (Padgett et al, 2014). Subsequent investigations have detected B. miyamotoi in I. pacificus nymphs and adults collected from 24 California counties, with the highest infection prevalence in the northern, coastal and foothills regions of the state (Eshoo et al, 2015; Mun et al, 2006; Padgett et al, 2014; Padgett and Bonilla, 2011; Salkeld et al, 2014). This is the second report of B. miyamotoi detection in a tick from Washington State (E. A. Dykstra, personal communication).…”

Microorganisms in the ticks Amblyomma dissimile Koch 1844 and Amblyomma rotundatum Koch 1844 collected from snakes in Brazil

“…Cryptoplasma californiense’ was found. ‘ Candidatus Cryptoplasma californiense’ is a recently described Anaplasmataceae species found in I. pacificus in California, U.S.A. (Eshoo et al ., ). However, the fragment obtained was relatively short (343 nt) and longer sequences of 16S rDNA and sequences of other genes would be necessary to better characterize the organism.…”

Species composition and temporal distribution of adult ixodid ticks and prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Rickettsia species in Orange County, California

“…Despite the abundance of I. pacificus at Crystal Cove State Park, B. burgdorferi sl was found in only a small percentage (∼1%) of tested adults (Table ). Borrelia miyamotoi , a relapsing fever agent that is also transmitted by the western blacklegged tick, was not detected although it has been reported in California I. pacificus previously (Fedorova et al , Padgett et al , Eshoo et al , Salkeld et al ). A similar Borrelia infection prevalence was found in I. pacificus from nearby Los Angeles County: seven (0.29%) of 2,392 ticks were infected with B. burgdorferi sl but none harbored detectable B. miyamotoi (Lane et al ).…”