Hematophagy and tick-borne Rickettsial pathogen shape the microbial community structure and predicted functions within the tick vector, Amblyomma maculatum

• DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1037387
• Publication Date: 2022-11-21T04:32:15Z
• Authors: Abdulsalam Adegoke; Deepak Kumar; Khemraj Budachetri; Shahid Karim
• Keywords: Francisella; Candidatus; Tick-borne disease; Amblyomma americanum

Ticks are the primary vectors of emerging and resurging pathogens public health significance worldwide. Analyzing tick bacterial composition, diversity, functionality across developmental stages tissues is crucial for designing new strategies to control ticks prevent tick-borne diseases.Here, we explored microbial communities timeline in different Gulf-Coast (Amblyomma maculatum). Using a high-throughput sequencing approach, influence blood meal Rickettsia parkeri, spotted fever group rickettsiae infection driving changes microbiome was determined.This study shows that core Am. maculatum comprises ten genera. The genus Rickettsia, Francisella, Candidatus_Midichloria key players, with positive interactions within each stage adult organ tested. Blood parkeri led an increase abundance tissues. According functional analysis, numbers positively correlated highly abundant energy metabolism orthologs meal. Correlation analysis identified OTUs as Candidatus Midichloria subsequent decrease Francisella infected Results demonstrate predominate maculatum, whereas Cutibacterium prevalence R. parkeri-infection. Network annotation suggest interacts negatively Francisella.We conclude tick-transmitted pathogens, such establishes by interacting vector.