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Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
07:21

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing

Published on: August 25, 2018

Persistence mechanisms in tick-borne diseases

A F Barbet1

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases & Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

The Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research
|December 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Persistent tick-borne diseases like babesiosis and anaplasmosis are common. Antigenic variation in pathogens, such as Babesia and Anaplasma, allows them to evade immunity and persist.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Highly sensitive diagnostics reveal persistent infections are common in tick-borne diseases (babesiosis, anaplasmosis, heartwater).
  • Antigenic variation is a key mechanism enabling pathogen persistence by altering surface structures.
  • Previous research identified specific mechanisms in Babesia and Anaplasma, including cytoadhesion, ligand variation, and gene family diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of antigenic variation in the persistence of tick-borne diseases.
  • To understand the mechanisms of immune evasion employed by Babesia, Anaplasma, and heartwater agents.
  • To explore the potential for genomic modification to study pathogen persistence and virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing advanced diagnostic methods to detect persistent infections.
  • Analyzing gene families, such as pfam01617 in Anaplasma, associated with chronic infection and immune evasion.
  • Applying high-throughput sequencing for comprehensive analysis of pathogen genomes.
  • Considering genome modification techniques to assess effects on persistence and virulence.

Main Results:

  • Identified a polymorphic gene family in heartwater agents potentially involved in immune evasion.
  • Began characterizing the antigenic repertoires of these tick-borne pathogens.
  • Advanced understanding of mechanisms contributing to persistence, including cytoadhesion and genetic diversity in Babesia, and gene family variation in Anaplasma.

Conclusions:

  • Antigenic variation is a significant factor in the persistence of tick-borne diseases.
  • Further research is needed to address emerging infections (e.g., human Anaplasma) and the role of endothelial cell interaction in Anaplasma persistence.
  • Genomic approaches offer new possibilities for understanding and potentially manipulating pathogen persistence and virulence.

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