Article 2026-04-20 under-review v1

Metaproteomic profiling of the tick microbiome in northern Algeria: a pilot study of bacterial diversity and potential medical or veterinary relevance

T
Tahar kernif Institut Pasteur d’Algérie
C
Clément Lozano Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission
F
Fayez Ahmed KHARDINE Institut Pasteur d'Algérie
B
Bachir MEDROUH Centre de Recherche en Agropastoralisme
A
Aïssam HACHID Institut Pasteur d'Algérie
B
Bernard FERNANDEZ Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement
N
Naouel EDDAIKRA Institut Pasteur d’Algérie
S
Stéphane DELBECQ University of Montpellier
J
Jean ARMENGAUD Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission
D
Denis SERENO Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
P
Philippe HOLZMULLER Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement

Abstract

Background 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.Methods 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 H. 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.Results 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.Conclusions This pilot metaproteomic study provides a first functional overview of bacterial communities associated with ticks 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.

Citation Information

@article{taharkernif2026,
  title={Metaproteomic profiling of the tick microbiome in northern Algeria: a pilot study of bacterial diversity and potential medical or veterinary relevance},
  author={Tahar kernif and Clément Lozano and Fayez Ahmed KHARDINE and Bachir MEDROUH and Aïssam HACHID and Bernard FERNANDEZ and Naouel EDDAIKRA and Stéphane DELBECQ and Jean ARMENGAUD and Denis SERENO and Philippe HOLZMULLER},
  journal={Scientific Reports},
  year={2026},
  doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9160125/v1}
}
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