The Microbiome of Ehrlichia-Infected and Uninfected Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma americanum).

ABSTRACT: The Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum, transmits several bacterial pathogens including species of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. Amblyomma americanum also hosts a number of non-pathogenic bacterial endosymbionts. Recent studies of other arthropod and insect vectors have documented that commensal microflora can influence transmission of vector-borne pathogens; however, little is known about tick microbiomes and their possible influence on tick-borne diseases. Our objective was to compare bacterial communities associated with A. americanum, comparing Anaplasma/Ehrlichia -infected and uninfected ticks. Field-collected questing specimens (n = 50) were used in the analyses, of which 17 were identified as Anaplasma/Ehrlichia infected based on PCR amplification and sequencing of groEL genes. Bacteri

SUBMITTER: Trout Fryxell RT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4709196 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature