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Nasopulmonary mites (Acari: Halarachnidae) as potential vectors of bacterial pathogens, including Streptococcus

Risa Pesapane1,2, Andrea Chaves3, Janet Foley3

  • 1Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.

Plos One
|June 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Nasopulmonary mites (NPMs) may carry harmful bacteria, including the pathogen Streptococcus phocae, in marine mammals. This suggests NPMs could act as vectors, spreading infections between animals.

Area of Science:

  • Marine biology
  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Nasopulmonary mites (NPMs) are endoparasites in mammal respiratory tracts.
  • NPMs cause respiratory issues and secondary infections.
  • The role of NPMs in pathogen transmission is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Characterize the bacterial community within NPMs.
  • Investigate the presence of Streptococcus phocae in NPMs.
  • Assess the potential of NPMs as vectors for bacterial pathogens in marine mammals.

Main Methods:

  • 16S rRNA gene sequencing (16S profiling) to analyze NPM bacteriome.
  • Nested conventional polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) to detect Streptococcus phocae.
  • Sampling of NPMs from southern sea otters and California sea lions.

Main Results:

  • NPM bacterial communities were dominated by Mycoplasmataceae and Vibrionaceae.
  • At least 16 potentially pathogenic bacterial organisms were detected in NPMs.
  • Streptococcus phocae was detected in 37% of NPMs via nPCR and 16S profiling.

Conclusions:

  • NPMs harbor a diverse bacterial community, including potential pathogens.
  • The presence of multiple pathogenic bacteria suggests NPMs may act as mechanical vectors.
  • NPMs could play a role in the dissemination of bacterial infections among marine mammals.

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