Browsing by Author "Mueller, Ananda"

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    Immune-mediated hookworm clearance and survival of a marine mammal decrease with warmer ocean temperatures
    (2018) Seguel, Mauricio; Montalva, Felipe; Perez-Venegas, Diego; Gutierrez, Josefina; Paves, Hector J.; Mueller, Ananda; Valencia-Soto, Carola; Howerth, Elizabeth; Mendiola, Victoria; Gottdenker, Nicole
    \Increases in ocean temperature are associated with changes in the distribution of fish stocks, and the foraging regimes and maternal attendance patterns of marine mammals. However, it is not well understood how these changes affect offspring health and survival. The maternal attendance patterns and immunity of South American fur seals were assessed in a rookery where hookworm disease is the main cause of pup mortality. Pups receiving higher levels of maternal attendance had a positive energy balance and a more reactive immune system. These pups were able to expel hookworms through a specific immune mediated mechanism and survived the infection. Maternal attendance was higher in years with low sea surface temperature, therefore, the mean hookworm burden and mortality increased with sea surface temperature over a 10-year period. We provide a mechanistic explanation regarding how changes in ocean temperature and maternal care affect infectious diseases dynamics in a marine mammal.
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    Molecular detection and characterization of Bartonella spp. in rodents from central and southern Chile, with emphasis on introduced rats (Rattus spp.)
    (2023) Sepulveda-Garcia, Paulina; Rubio, Andre, V; Salgado, Rodrigo; Riquelme, Maira; Bonacic, Cristian; Canales, Nivia; Mueller, Ananda
    Bartonella spp. was screened in 155 rodents from Chile, mainly the invasive rats Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus. A total of 155 spleen and 50 blood samples were analyzed through real-time PCR for Bartonella spp. (nuoG gene). Positive samples were subjected to amplification of fragment of loci gltA, rpoB and ITS by conventional PCR (cPCR). Overall, 43 spleen samples (27.7%) and 6 rodent blood samples (12%) were positive for nuoG- Bartonella spp. Positive samples were found in R. norvegicus, R. rattus, Abrothrix olivacea and Oligoryzomys longicaudatus. Bartonella spp. DNA was amplified by cPCR in 16 samples, resulting in 21 sequences (6 gltA, 5 ITS and 10 rpoB). Sequencing and phylogenic analyses identified genotypes from Rattus spp., potentially belonging to Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella henselae, Bartonella tribocorum, and an undescribed Bartonella sp. From native rodents, one sequence was identified, being related B. machadoae. In conclusion, this work describes diverse and potentially zoonotic Bartonella spp. genotypes in Rattus spp. Additionally, this is the first report of Bartonella in O. longicaudatus, including a potentially novel Bartonella genotype or species.