Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025
07:21
Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: August 25, 2018
12.9K
The chigger microbiome: big questions in a tiny world.
Kittipong Chaisiri1, Piyada Linsuwanon2, Benjamin L Makepeace3
1Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Trends in Parasitology
|June 3, 2023
Summary
Chiggers (trombiculid mite larvae) carry diverse bacteria and viruses, not just those causing scrub typhus. Evidence suggests chiggers may transmit these pathogens vertically to offspring.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Vector-borne diseases
- Arthropod-borne pathogens
Background:
- Chiggers (trombiculid mite larvae) are recognized vectors of Orientia spp., the causative agents of scrub typhus.
- Recent findings indicate chiggers harbor a broader range of pathogens, including viruses and other bacteria.
- The complex microbial communities within chiggers are increasingly being investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the diversity of the chigger microbiota.
- To investigate potential interactions within the chigger's microbial microcosm.
- To assess the role of chiggers in the transmission of various pathogens and symbionts.
Main Methods:
- Microbiota analysis of chigger populations.
- Pathogen detection and identification.
- Investigation of transmission routes.
Main Results:
- Chiggers host a surprisingly diverse microbiota, including various bacterial species and potentially viruses.
- Unidentified symbionts dominate the microbiota in certain chigger populations.
- Evidence supports vertical transmission of symbionts and potential pathogens in chiggers.
Conclusions:
- Chiggers may act as vectors for viral diseases beyond rickettsial pathogens.
- The chigger microbiota includes unidentified symbionts, highlighting knowledge gaps.
- Vertical transmission suggests intimate host-microbe relationships, not just environmental acquisition.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Microbial Morphologies
54
Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...
54
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
43
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
43
01:29Types of Microorganisms
108
Microorganisms are a diverse group of microscopic entities broadly categorized into cellular and acellular types based on their structural organization. Cellular microorganisms include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and algae, while acellular microorganisms are represented by viruses.Cellular MicroorganismsBacteriaBacteria, tiny prokaryotic organisms, exhibit fascinating shapes such as rods, spheres, and spirals. They adapt to diverse habitats, including soil, water, and human-associated...
108
01:20Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
42
Molecular taxonomy has revolutionized the understanding and classification of bacteria, providing precise insights into their diversity, evolutionary relationships, and ecological roles. By utilizing molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, researchers have made significant strides in various fields related to bacterial studies.Resolving Taxonomic AmbiguitiesMolecular taxonomy has been instrumental in distinguishing closely related bacterial species initially thought to...
42
01:24Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes
43
The phylum Tenericutes, which includes the single class Mollicutes, comprises bacteria that lack cell walls. The term "Mollicutes" derives from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft." These organisms are among the smallest known and are commonly referred to as mycoplasmas due to the prominence of the genus Mycoplasma, which includes well-known human pathogens. Despite their inability to stain gram-positively (a result of their lack of cell walls), mycoplasmas are phylogenetically related to the...
43
01:15Diversity of Protists I
46
Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
46