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The Effect of Rickettsia bellii on Anaplasma marginale Infection in Dermacentor andersoni Cell Culture

Authors :
Joseph A. Aspinwall
Shelby M. Jarvis
Susan M. Noh
Kelly A. Brayton
Source :
Microorganisms, Vol 11, Iss 5, p 1096 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Anaplasma marginale is a tick-borne pathogen that causes bovine anaplasmosis, which affects cattle around the world. Despite its broad prevalence and severe economic impacts, limited treatments exist for this disease. Our lab previously reported that a high proportion of Rickettsia bellii, a tick endosymbiont, in the microbiome of a population of Dermacentor andersoni ticks negatively impacts the ticks’ ability to acquire A. marginale. To better understand this correlation, we used mixed infection of A. marginale and R. bellii in D. andersoni cell culture. We assessed the impacts of different amounts of R. bellii in coinfections, as well as established R. bellii infection, on the ability of A. marginale to establish an infection and grow in D. andersoni cells. From these experiments, we conclude that A. marginale is less able to establish an infection in the presence of R. bellii and that an established R. bellii infection inhibits A. marginale replication. This interaction highlights the importance of the microbiome in preventing tick vector competence and may lead to the development of a biological or mechanistic control for A. marginale transmission by the tick.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20762607
Volume :
11
Issue :
5
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Microorganisms
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.8baff300ac7f4998b63ffa37635aca21
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051096