Query: NC_004842:62000 Anaplasma marginale str. St. Maries, complete genome
Lineage: Anaplasma marginale; Anaplasma; Anaplasmataceae; Rickettsiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was recovered from an acutely infected cow from Northern Idaho, USA and bears an msp1a genotype of JBB. This strain is transmitted by ticks and is known to be virulent. This organism is the causative agent of bovine anaplasmosis and is an obligate intracellular pathogen. Transmission occurs via an arthropod vector (tick) and is a major problem in tropical regions where it causes severe morbidity in cattle populations. The bacterium lives intracellularly within membrane-bound vesicles in the host erythrocyte, a cell type which it specifically targets, resulting in severe anemia for the host organism.
Subject: NC_010263:278463 Rickettsia rickettsii str. Iowa, complete genome
Lineage: Rickettsia rickettsii; Rickettsia; Rickettsiaceae; Rickettsiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Causative agent for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This organism was first identified by Dr. Howard Rickets as the causative agent of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which was originally named for its geographic distribution at the time, it is now known to be widespread throughout the North American continent. This bacterium is an obligate intracellular pathogen that infects primarily the vascular endothelium, and occasionally smooth muscle tissue. It is passed to the human host from a tick bite, and the tick acts as both a natural reservoir and a vector for disease transmission. Once the organism is endocytosed by the host cell, it quickly escapes the phagozome, and replicates intracellularly, causing cell death and tissue damage. The disease is characterized by a spotted rash and has a high mortality rate if left untreated.