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New preprint with @TheLadybirdman @Baylism and @sio_stef describing which tissues a Rickettsia bacterium is present in within the pesky Scottish Highland midge! https://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.06.23.166496v1 (1/7)
Rickettsia are best known as causing disease in humans but can also protect their insect host against fungi and bacteria. As midges spread important viruses to animals it is also possible Rickettsia affects the titres of these viruses and their spread. (2/7)
An important component of Rickettsia ecology is the bacterium’s ability to be maternally transmitted. However, it is unclear in most strains how Rickettsia makes its way into developing eggs. (3/7)
In our Highland midge, we describe Rickettisa infection of the ovarian suspensory ligament (OSL) which runs continuous with the ovarian epithelial sheath (ES), connective tissues which stabilise and enclose ovaries. (4/7)
Localisation to the OSL and ES suggests connective tissue surrounding developing eggs is important for ensuring maternal transmission of the Rickettsia in midges and possibly other insects. (5/7)
Additionally, we find Rickettsia infection in the fat body (a metabolically active tissue similar to our livers) of midges. As viruses spread by midges often replicate in this organ, this implies possible interactions could be occurring between bacteria and virus. (6/7)
NB we DON’T find Rickettsia in the salivary glands of the midge suggesting you are probably safe to go camping in the Highlands this year! (7/7)
