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Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis: subversive manipulators of host cells

Yasuko Rikihisa1

  • 1Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1925 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. rikihisa.1@osu.edu

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|April 8, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Anaplasma and Ehrlichia bacteria, transmitted by ticks, cause emerging infectious diseases. Their adaptations include gene deletions and acquiring new pathways for survival within host cells.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. are tick-borne intracellular bacteria responsible for emerging human infectious diseases.
  • These pathogens infect mammalian white blood cells and tick cells, requiring significant adaptations for intracellular survival and transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the specialized properties and adaptations of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. that facilitate their intracellular lifestyle and host transmission.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research on the genomic and cellular adaptations of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia.
  • Analysis of genomic data to identify gene deletions and acquisitions relevant to intracellular survival.

Main Results:

  • Anaplasma and Ehrlichia have undergone extensive gene deletions, losing genes for essential functions like lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan biosynthesis.
  • These bacteria have acquired a cholesterol uptake pathway and expanded their repertoire of outer-membrane porins and type IV secretion systems.

Conclusions:

  • The specialized adaptations of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia are crucial for their ability to thrive within eukaryotic cells and transmit between hosts.
  • Understanding these adaptations is key to developing strategies against these emerging tick-borne pathogens.

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