Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 31, 2025
07:21
Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: August 25, 2018
13.1K
iSeq 100 for metagenomic pathogen screening in ticks
Ju Yeong Kim1, Myung-Hee Yi1, Alghurabi Areej Sabri Mahdi2
1Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei-ro 50-1, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
Parasites & Vectors
|June 30, 2021
Summary
This study screened for bacterial pathogens in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks using high-throughput sequencing. Rickettsia species were detected, highlighting the importance of tick surveillance for public health.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Microbial Pathogen Discovery
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Ticks, particularly Haemaphysalis longicornis in Korea, are significant vectors of pathogens.
- These pathogens can cause serious diseases in humans and animals, including babesiosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen for bacterial pathogens in Haemaphysalis longicornis using high-throughput sequencing.
- To compare high-throughput sequencing with conventional PCR for pathogen detection.
- To analyze the tick microbiome and identify potential associations with pathogen presence.
Main Methods:
- Targeted high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V4 region using the iSeq 100 instrument.
- Conventional PCR with specific primers for confirmation.
- Microbiome analysis using EzBioCloud and differential abundance analysis with ALDEx2.
Main Results:
- Rickettsia spp. were detected in 16 of 37 tick samples by iSeq 100, confirmed by PCR.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated high similarity to 'Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis' and 'Ca. R. longicornii'.
- Coxiella AB001519 was found in all samples, and Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis was more abundant in Rickettsia-positive samples.
Conclusions:
- High-throughput sequencing effectively detected potentially pathogenic Rickettsia in H. longicornis.
- This method shows promise for large-scale arthropod pathogen screening in vector-borne disease control.
- Understanding tick microbiomes can contribute to better disease surveillance and management strategies.
