First insights into the microbiome of Tunisian Hyalomma ticks gained through next-generation sequencing with a special focus on H. scupense

PLoS One. 2022 May 19;17(5):e0268172. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268172. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Ticks are one of the most important vectors of several pathogens affecting humans and animals. In addition to pathogens, ticks carry diverse microbiota of symbiotic and commensal microorganisms. In this study, we have investigated the first Tunisian insight into the microbial composition of the most dominant Hyalomma species infesting Tunisian cattle and explored the relative contribution of tick sex, life stage, and species to the diversity, richness and bacterial species of tick microbiome. In this regard, next generation sequencing for the 16S rRNA (V3-V4 region) of tick bacterial microbiota and metagenomic analysis were established. The analysis of the bacterial diversity reveals that H. marginatum and H. excavatum have greater diversity than H. scupense. Furthermore, microbial diversity and composition vary according to the tick's life stage and sex in the specific case of H. scupense. The endosymbionts Francisella, Midichloria mitochondrii, and Rickettsia were shown to be the most prevalent in Hyalomma spp. Rickettsia, Francisella, Ehrlichia, and Erwinia are the most common zoonotic bacteria found in Hyalomma ticks. Accordingly, Hyalomma ticks could represent potential vectors for these zoonotic bacterial agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Francisella* / genetics
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Ixodidae* / genetics
  • Ixodidae* / microbiology
  • Microbiota* / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Rickettsia* / genetics
  • Ticks* / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Grants and funding

This study was financially supported by the project of the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock (CRP Livestock), and the "Laboratory of Epidemiology of Enzootic Infections in Herbivores in Tunisia: Application to Control" (LR16AGR01) funded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia. This study is also carried out under the MOBIDOC scheme for the student allowance, funded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through the PromEssE project and managed by the ANPR (Agence Nationale de Promotion de la Recherche Scientifique).