arrow
Return

Pilot metaproteomic profiling reveals bacterial diversity and potential medical and veterinary relevance of tick microbiomes in northern Algeria

delete2026-06-23
delete0
delete
OA
AI
T
Tahar Kernif *
C
Clément Lozano
F
Fayez Ahmed Khardine
B
Bachir Medrouh
A
Aïssam Hachid
B
Bernard Fernandez
N
Naouel Eddaikra
S
Stéphane Delbecq
J
Jean Armengaud
D
Denis Séréno *
P
Philippe Holzmuller *
DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-58580-1delete
deleteOriginal
deleteShare
deleteSave
View PDF
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Ticks are major ectoparasites and vectors of pathogens affecting humans, livestock, and wildlife. They harbor diverse microbial communities that may influence tick biology and interactions with microorganisms; however, functional information on tick-associated microbiomes remains limited, particularly in North Africa. In this pilot study, we applied a metaproteomic approach based on high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry to characterize bacterial communities associated with three tick species collected in Algeria: Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, Hyalomma aegyptium, and Hyalomma dromedarii. Peptide spectra were assigned to taxa using a two-step database search strategy based on NCBInr, and bacterial composition and relative abundance were compared across tick species and sampling locations. A total of 40 bacterial genera belonging to 32 families and four phyla were identified. Microbiome composition differed significantly between tick genera and collection locations, suggesting an influence of species-specific and geographical factors on microbial community structure. Dominant genera included Streptomyces, Bacillus, Clostridium, Escherichia, Flavobacterium, Paenibacillus, and Providencia. Peptides related to Coxiella spp. were frequently detected, consistent with previous reports of Coxiella-like endosymbionts in ticks. This pilot study provides a first metaproteomic characterization of tick-associated communities in Algeria. The results reveal species- and location-associated differences in microbial composition and highlight the potential of metaproteomics for exploring tick-associated microbiomes in North Africa.
Keywords:
Ticks
Tick microbiome
Metaproteomics
Bacterial diversity
Hyalomma
Rhipicephalus
Algeria
AI Summary

AI Summary

Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.

Journal

Scientific Reports cover
Scientific Reports
IF:
3.9
Papers:
27.1W
Citations:
83.5W

Organization

F
faculté de pharmacie
Scholars:
48
Papers: 22
Citations: 1
L
laboratoire des arbovirus et virus emergents
Scholars:
3
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
C
centre de recherche en agropastoralisme
Scholars:
2
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
Université de Montpellier cover
Université de Montpellier
Scholars:
852
Papers: 384
Citations: 3.2W
researcher View more organizations