Characterization of pathogen-specific expression of host immune response genes in Anaplasma and Mycobacterium species infected ruminants.

Anaplasma and Mycobacterium species are among the most prevalent bacterial pathogens
in European red deer (Cervus elaphus) in south-central Spain and are known to modify gene
expression in ruminants. In this study, we used microarray hybridization and real-time
RT-PCR analyses to characterize global gene expression profiles in red deer in response
to Anaplasma ovis and A. ovis/Mycobacterium bovis/Mycobacterium avium sub. paratuberculosis
(MAP) infections, compare the expression of immune response genes between red
deer infected with A. ovis, M. bovis and A. ovis/M. bovis/MAP, and characterize the differential
expression of immune response genes identified in red deer in cattle infected with M.
bovis and Anaplasma marginale. Global gene differential expression in A. ovis- and A. ovis/M.
bovis/MAP-infected deer resulted in the modification of common and pathogen-specific
cellular biological processes. The differential expression of host immune response genes
showed pathogen and host-specific signatures and the effect of infection with multiple
pathogens on deer immune response. These results suggested that intracellular bacteria
from Anaplasma and Mycobacterium genera produce similar genes expression patterns in
infected ruminants. However, pathogen and host-specific differences could contribute to
disease diagnosis and treatment in ruminants.