Mexican Strains of Anaplasma marginale: A First Comparative Genomics and Phylogeographic Analysis.

The One Health approach looks after animal welfare and demands constant monitoring of the strains that circulate globally to prevent outbreaks. Anaplasma marginale is the etiologic agent of bovine anaplasmosis and is endemic worldwide. This study aimed to analyze, for the first time, the genetic diversity of seven Mexican strains of A. marginale and their relationship with other strains reported. The main features of A. marginale were obtained by characterizing all 24 genomes reported so far. Genetic diversity and phylogeography were analyzed by characterizing the msp1a gene and 5'-UTR microsatellite sequences and constructing a phylogenetic tree with 540 concatenated genes of the core genome. The Mexican strains show 15 different repeat sequences in six MSP1a structures and have phylogeographic relationships with strains from North America, South America, and Asia, which confirms they are highly variable. Based on our results, we encourage the performance of genome sequencing of A. marginale strains to obtain a high assembly level of molecular markers and the performance of extensive phylogeographic analysis. Undoubtedly, genomic surveillance helps build a picture of how a pathogen changes and evolves in geographical regions. However, we cannot discard the study of relationships pathogens establish with ticks and how they have co-evolved to establish themselves as a successful transmission system.

Immunoinformatic Analysis to Identify Proteins to Be Used as Potential Targets to Control Bovine Anaplasmosis.

Omics sciences and new technologies to sequence full genomes provide valuable data that are revealed only after detailed bioinformatic analysis is performed. In this work, we analyzed the genomes of seven Mexican Anaplasma marginale strains and the data from a transcriptome analysis of the tick Rhipicephalus microplus. The aim of this analysis was to identify protein sequences with predicted features to be used as potential targets to control the bacteria or tick-vector transmission. We chose three amino acid sequences different to all proteins previously reported in A. marginale that have been used as potential vaccine candidates, and also, we report, for the first time, the presence of a peroxinectin protein sequence in the transcriptome of R. microplus, a protein associated with the immune response of ticks. The bioinformatics analyses revealed the presence of B-cell epitopes in all the amino acid sequences chosen, which opens the way for their likely use as single or arranged peptides to develop new strategies for the control and prevention of bovine anaplasmosis transmitted by ticks.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Mexican Strains of Anaplasma marginale: An Approach to the Causal Agent of Bovine Anaplasmosis.

Anaplasma marginale is the main etiologic agent of bovine anaplasmosis, and it is extensively distributed worldwide. We have previously reported the first genome sequence of a Mexican strain of A. marginale (Mex-01-001-01). In this work, we report the genomic analysis of one strain from Hidalgo (MEX-14-010-01), one from Morelos (MEX-17-017-01), and two strains from Veracruz (MEX-30-184-02 and MEX-30-193-01). We found that the genome average size is 1.16-1.17 Mbp with a GC content close to 49.80%. The genomic comparison reveals that most of the A. marginale genomes are highly conserved and the phylogeny showed that Mexican strains cluster with Brazilian strains. The genomic information contained in the four draft genomes of A. marginale from Mexico will contribute to understanding the molecular landscape of this pathogen.

Draft Genome Sequences of Anaplasma marginale Strains MEX-15-099-01 and MEX-31-096-01, Two Mexican Isolates with Different Degrees of Virulence.

Anaplasma marginale is an intraerythrocytic bacterium that causes bovine anaplasmosis and is endemic in Mexico. In this work, we report two draft genome sequences of Mexican isolates from different geographical regions and with different degrees of virulence.

Draft Genome Sequence of Anaplasma marginale Strain Mex-01-001-01, a Mexican Strain That Causes Bovine Anaplasmosis.

Bovine anaplasmosis is an arthropod-borne hemolytic disease caused by Anaplasma marginale. While only a few Anaplasma marginale strains have been reported, no Mexican strains have been reported. Due to the genetic diversity of A. marginale, the genome of the strain Mex-01-001-01, isolated in Mexico, represents a new source of information.

Differential expression analysis for subolesin in Rhipicephalus microplus infected with Anaplasma marginale.

Rhipicephalus microplus (formerly Boophilus microplus) ticks are potential vectors of several pathogens of livestock especially in tropical and subtropical regions where may have substantial effects on economic development. Among tick-borne pathogens, Anaplasma marginale is considered one of the most important in domestic and wild ruminants worldwide. Different molecular mechanisms have been employed by both ticks and these intracellular pathogens, in order to be able to adapt and survive. Subolesin, originally called 4D8, is an evolutionarily well-preserved protein among ixodid tick species. This new antigen was found to be protective against tick infestations when used as a vaccine, as it has an essential role in tick blood digestion, development and infection of host cells by A. marginale. Recent studies have demonstrated that infection of both tick and vertebrate host cells with this microorganism changed gene expression. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate subolesin expression in uninfected and A. marginale-infected R. microplus salivary glands by real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR. To analyze the differential expression of the recombinant protein subolesin, the gene was previously expressed from ticks infected with A. marginale. Results from this study revealed that, the expression of subolesin was significantly higher in salivary glands of infected R. microplus in comparison to uninfected ones.

Anaplasma marginale: Diversity, Virulence, and Vaccine Landscape through a Genomics Approach.

In order to understand the genetic diversity of A. marginale, several efforts have been made around the world. This rickettsia affects a significant number of ruminants, causing bovine anaplasmosis, so the interest in its virulence and how it is transmitted have drawn interest not only from a molecular point of view but also, recently, some genomics research have been performed to elucidate genes and proteins with potential as antigens. Unfortunately, so far, we still do not have a recombinant anaplasmosis vaccine. In this review, we present a landscape of the multiple approaches carried out from the genomic perspective to generate valuable information that could be used in a holistic way to finally develop an anaplasmosis vaccine. These approaches include the analysis of the genetic diversity of A. marginale and how this affects control measures for the disease. Anaplasmosis vaccine development is also reviewed from the conventional vaccinomics to genome-base vaccinology approach based on proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses reported. The use of these new omics approaches will undoubtedly reveal new targets of interest in the near future, comprising information of potential antigens and the immunogenic effect of A. marginale proteins.

Draft Genome Sequence of "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos," a Hemotropic Mycoplasma Identified in Cattle in Mexico.

We present here the draft genome sequence of the first "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos" strain found in cattle in Mexico. This hemotropic mycoplasma causes acute and chronic disease in animals. This genome is a starting point for studying the role of this mycoplasma in coinfections and synergistic mechanisms associated with the disease.

Anaplasma marginale Yucatan (Mexico) Strain. Assessment of low virulence and potential use as a live vaccine.

Anaplasma marginale Yucatan strain was found to have low virulence in cattle. We studied the virulence of this isolate by experimental inoculation of 113 susceptible cattle at increasing doses, after which only one animal required treatment for clinical disease. Subsequently, 104 cattle received a live vaccine of this strain by inoculation, which induced immunoprotection after heterologous challenged exposure with a different A. marginale isolate. In this study 14% of the immunized cattle required treatment as compared with the control nonimmunized cattle, in which 56% required treatment. The A. marginale vaccine strains used for the immunization studies had MSP1a variable regions that were different from those used for the challenge exposure.

Anaplasma marginale: diferentes grados de virulencia en dos aislados mexicanos / Anaplasma marginale: differences in the virulence of two mexican isolates

En el presente trabajo se evaluó la virulencia de los aislados MEX-15-099 (MEX15) y MEX-31-096 (MEX31) de Anaplasma marginale. Dos grupos de cuatro bovinos susceptibles, fueron inoculados con una dosis de 1 ï 106 eritrocitos infectados por bovino. La temperatura rectal, el volumen celular aglomerado (VCA), la rickettsemia y la presencia de anticuerpos específicos se registraron durante el periodo experimental de 65 días. Los animales del grupo MEX15 alcanzaron un máximo PEI entre 8.8 por ciento y 34.7 por ciento; en contraparte, en los animales del grupo MEX31 se observaron valores máximos en el PEI entre 0.1 por ciento y 16.3 por ciento. Sólo los bovinos del grupo MEX15 presentaron fiebre >40§C, coincidente con la amplificación de la rickettsia. Se registró una pérdida media del VCA de 68.2 ñ 8.9 por ciento en los animales inoculados con MEX15 y de 50.1 ñ 8.9 por ciento en los inoculados con MEX31, esta diferencia fue significativa entre los grupos (P<0.05). Excepto por un animal infectado con MEX31, todos desarrollaron valores de DO entre 0.355 y 0.829. Todos los animales infectados con MEX15 desarrollaron anaplasmosis clínica, mientras que sólo uno de los infectados lo fue con el aislado MEX31. Las observaciones anteriores muestran una mayor virulencia para el aislado MEX15.