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Haemoplasmas in wild rodents: Routes of transmission and infection dynamics
Carmit Cohen1, Merav Shemesh1, Mario Garrido2
1Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Abstract:
The way that some parasites and pathogens persist in the hostile environment of their host for long periods remains to be resolved. Here, longitudinal field surveys were combined with laboratory experiments to investigate the routes of transmission and infection dynamics of such a pathogen-a wild rodent haemotropic bacterium, specifically a Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacterium. Fleaborne transmission, direct rodent-to-rodent transmission and vertical transmission from fleas or rodents to their offspring were experimentally quantified, and indications were found that the main route of bacterial transmission is direct, although its rate of successful transmission is low (~20%). The bacterium's temporal dynamics was then compared in the field to that observed under a controlled infection experiment in field-infected and laboratory-infected rodents, and indications were found, under all conditions, that the bacterium reached its peak infection level after 25-45 days and then decreased to low bacterial loads, which persist for the rodent's lifetime. These findings suggest that the bacterium relies on persistency with low bacterial loads for long-term coexistence with its rodent host, having both conceptual and applied implications.
Insights
This study reveals how a Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacterium persists in wild rodents. Direct transmission is key, with low success rates, leading to lifelong low-level infections.
Area of Science:
- * Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- * Microbiology
- * Parasitology
Background:
- * Understanding pathogen persistence in hosts is crucial for disease ecology.
- * Wild rodents host various pathogens, impacting ecosystem health.
- * The transmission routes and infection dynamics of haemotropic bacteria remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate transmission routes and infection dynamics of a Mycoplasma haemomuris-like bacterium in wild rodents.
- * To quantify flea-borne, direct rodent-to-rodent, and vertical transmission.
- * To compare temporal infection dynamics in field and laboratory settings.
Main Methods:
- * Longitudinal field surveys combined with laboratory experiments.
- * Experimental quantification of flea-borne, direct, and vertical transmission.
- * Comparison of bacterial loads over time in naturally and experimentally infected rodents.
Main Results:
- * Direct rodent-to-rodent transmission identified as the primary route, with a low success rate (~20%).
- * Flea-borne and vertical transmission routes were also quantified.
- * Infection peaked between 25-45 days post-infection, followed by a decrease to persistent low bacterial loads.
Conclusions:
- * The bacterium achieves long-term host coexistence through persistent low-level infections.
- * Findings have implications for understanding host-pathogen relationships in wildlife.
- * The study provides insights into the ecological and applied aspects of bacterial persistence.
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