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Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
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Spiroplasma Infection among Ixodid Ticks Exhibits Species Dependence and Suggests a Vertical Pattern of Transmission

Shohei Ogata1, Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed1, Kodai Kusakisako1,2

  • 1Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, N 18 W 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan.

Microorganisms
|February 11, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Spiroplasma bacteria were found in 109 of 712 ticks in Japan, with infection rates varying by tick species. Tick species, not horizontal transmission, primarily influences Spiroplasma infection dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Arthropod-borne pathogens
  • Bacterial genetics

Background:

  • Spiroplasma are wall-less bacteria impacting arthropods, with roles ranging from disease to pathogen resistance.
  • The function of Spiroplasma in ticks remains largely unknown.
  • This study investigates Spiroplasma infection in Japanese ticks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the infection status and genetic diversity of Spiroplasma in ticks from Japan.
  • To identify factors influencing Spiroplasma prevalence in different tick species.
  • To elucidate Spiroplasma transmission patterns within tick populations.

Main Methods:

  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting 16S rDNA for Spiroplasma detection in 712 ticks.
  • Genetic characterization of Spiroplasma using 16S rDNA, ITS, dnaA, and rpoB gene sequences.
  • Statistical analysis using a linear mixed model to identify factors associated with infection.

Main Results:

  • 109 out of 712 ticks (across eight species) tested positive for Spiroplasma.
  • Infection rates varied significantly (0% to 84%) by tick species, with tick species being the primary factor.
  • Specific Spiroplasma alleles showed high adaptation to certain tick species (e.g., Ixodes ovatus, Haemaphysalis kitaokai).

Conclusions:

  • Tick species is the main driver of Spiroplasma infection prevalence.
  • Evidence suggests limited horizontal transmission of Spiroplasma between tick species.
  • Findings offer insights into Spiroplasma transmission cycles and host-tick interactions.
Keywords:
HaemaphysalisIxodesJapanSpiroplasmasymbiontsticks

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