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Identification of Intestinal Fungal Microflora and Bacterial Pathogens in the Collected Adult Ixodes ricinus from the
Manijeh Yousefi-Behzadi1,2, Neda Moazzezy3, Mahdi Rohani1,4
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Ticks are vectors of many pathogens that involve various important diseases in humans and animals, they have several diverse hosts consequently can retain a diverse group of indigenous microbes, from bacteria to fungi. Little is known about the prevalence and diversity of tick microflora colonizing the midgut and their effects on ticks and their interaction. This information is important for development of vector control strategies.
Methods:
This study was carried out in northern Iran during autumn 2019. Ticks, Ixodes ricinus caught alive on the bodies of domestic animals in the fall. The tick homogenate was prepared. The identification of fungal isolates was carried out according to a combination of macro and microscopic morphology and molecular sequencing. Pathogenic bacteria of the family Borreliaceae, Francisella tularensis, Borrelia burgdorferi and Coxiella burnetii were tested by real-time PCR.
Results:
A total of 133 mature I. ricinus ticks were collected from domestic animals, including 71.5% cattle and 28.5% sheep. The tick frequency rates were 87.21% for Mazandaran, 8.28% for Golestan and 4.51% for Gilan Provinces. Total prevalence of fungal tick contamination was 53.4% (75/133) of which Trichoderma harzianum (57%) was the most prevalent species followed by Aspergillus spp. (42%), Mortierella alpine (19%) and Penicillium polonicum (14%). All tick samples were negative for three pathogenic bacteria including Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii, and Borrelia burgdorferi by real-time PCR analysis.
Conclusion:
These results show a first picture of the microbial diversity of ticks and highlight the importance of microbiota and their role in host-pathogen interaction.
Insights
This study found over half of Ixodes ricinus ticks in northern Iran carried fungi, with Trichoderma harzianum being most common. No pathogenic bacteria like Borrelia burgdorferi were detected, offering insights into tick microbial communities.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Entomology
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ticks act as vectors for numerous pathogens, causing significant diseases in humans and animals.
- The diverse hosts of ticks result in a wide array of indigenous microbes, including bacteria and fungi.
- Limited knowledge exists regarding the prevalence, diversity, and impact of tick midgut microflora on tick health and host interactions, hindering effective vector control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fungal and bacterial microflora within Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from domestic animals in northern Iran.
- To identify the fungal species colonizing the tick midgut and assess the prevalence of specific tick-borne bacterial pathogens.
- To contribute to understanding tick microbiota for developing novel vector control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Collection of live Ixodes ricinus ticks from cattle and sheep in northern Iran during autumn 2019.
- Identification of fungal isolates through macroscopic and microscopic morphology, supplemented by molecular sequencing.
- Real-time PCR was employed to detect the presence of pathogenic bacteria: Borreliaceae family, Francisella tularensis, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Coxiella burnetii.
Main Results:
- A total of 133 Ixodes ricinus ticks were analyzed, with 53.4% exhibiting fungal contamination.
- Trichoderma harzianum was the most prevalent fungal species (57% of isolates), followed by Aspergillus spp. (42%), Mortierella alpine (19%), and Penicillium polonicum (14%).
- All tick samples tested negative for Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii, and Borrelia burgdorferi.
Conclusions:
- This study provides initial insights into the fungal diversity within Ixodes ricinus ticks in northern Iran.
- The findings underscore the significant prevalence of fungal microflora in ticks, with implications for tick biology and ecology.
- The absence of tested pathogenic bacteria suggests a need for further research into tick-host-microbiota interactions for effective disease management.
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