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Bull K, Davies G, Jenkins TP, Peachey L. The faecal microbiome of Exmoor ponies shows step-wise compositional changes with increasing levels of management by humans. Equine Vet J 2024; 56:159-170. [PMID: 37264698 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Horses can suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) disease in domestic environments, often precipitated by human-led changes in management. Understanding the consequences of these changes on equine gut microbiota is key to the prevention of such disease episodes. OBJECTIVE Profile the faecal microbiota of adult female Exmoor ponies under three management conditions, representing increasing levels of management by humans, encompassing different diets; whilst controlling for age, breed and sex. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional descriptive. METHODS Faecal samples were collected from three populations of Exmoor ponies kept under contrasting management conditions: 29 adult female ponies in groups with low management (LM) (n = 10), medium management (MM) (n = 10) and high management (HM) (n = 9) levels, based on diet, drug use, handling and exercise. Faecal microbial composition was profiled via high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and functional metagenome predictions. RESULTS We observed profound step-wise changes in microbiome structure in the transition from LM to MM to HM. A relatively high abundance of Proteobacteria and Tenericutes was associated with the HM group; higher abundance of Methanobacteria was observed in the LM group. The MM group had intermediate levels of these taxa and exhibited high 'within group' variation in alpha diversity. Functional predictions revealed increased amino acid and lipid metabolism in HM; energy metabolism in LM and carbohydrate metabolism and immune/metabolic disease pathways in MM. MAIN LIMITATIONS Low group sizes, incomplete knowledge of bacterial genomes in equine gut microbiota and it was not possible to assess the relative impact of diet, drug use, handling and exercise on the microbiome as variables were confounded. CONCLUSIONS Human-led management factors had profound step-wise effects on faecal microbial composition. Based on functional metagenome predictions, we hypothesise that dietary differences between groups were the major driver of observed differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Bull
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Gareth Davies
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Timothy P Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Laura Peachey
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Gilroy R, Leng J, Ravi A, Adriaenssens EM, Oren A, Baker D, La Ragione RM, Proudman C, Pallen MJ. Metagenomic investigation of the equine faecal microbiome reveals extensive taxonomic diversity. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13084. [PMID: 35345588 PMCID: PMC8957277 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The horse plays crucial roles across the globe, including in horseracing, as a working and companion animal and as a food animal. The horse hindgut microbiome makes a key contribution in turning a high fibre diet into body mass and horsepower. However, despite its importance, the horse hindgut microbiome remains largely undefined. Here, we applied culture-independent shotgun metagenomics to thoroughbred equine faecal samples to deliver novel insights into this complex microbial community. Results We performed metagenomic sequencing on five equine faecal samples to construct 123 high- or medium-quality metagenome-assembled genomes from Bacteria and Archaea. In addition, we recovered nearly 200 bacteriophage genomes. We document surprising taxonomic diversity, encompassing dozens of novel or unnamed bacterial genera and species, to which we have assigned new Candidatus names. Many of these genera are conserved across a range of mammalian gut microbiomes. Conclusions Our metagenomic analyses provide new insights into the bacterial, archaeal and bacteriophage components of the horse gut microbiome. The resulting datasets provide a key resource for future high-resolution taxonomic and functional studies on the equine gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Gilroy
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Joy Leng
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Anuradha Ravi
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aharon Oren
- The Institute of Life Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dave Baker
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Mark J. Pallen
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich, United Kingdom
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
- University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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McGorum BC, Chen Z, Glendinning L, Gweon HS, Hunt L, Ivens A, Keen JA, Pirie RS, Taylor J, Wilkinson T, McLachlan G. Equine grass sickness (a multiple systems neuropathy) is associated with alterations in the gastrointestinal mycobiome. Anim Microbiome 2021; 3:70. [PMID: 34627407 PMCID: PMC8501654 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-021-00131-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a multiple systems neuropathy of grazing horses of unknown aetiology. An apparently identical disease occurs in cats, dogs, rabbits, hares, sheep, alpacas and llamas. Many of the risk factors for EGS are consistent with it being a pasture mycotoxicosis. To identify potential causal fungi, the gastrointestinal mycobiota of EGS horses were evaluated using targeted amplicon sequencing, and compared with those of two control groups. Samples were collected post mortem from up to 5 sites in the gastrointestinal tracts of EGS horses (EGS group; 150 samples from 54 horses) and from control horses that were not grazing EGS pastures and that had been euthanased for reasons other than neurologic and gastrointestinal diseases (CTRL group; 67 samples from 31 horses). Faecal samples were also collected from healthy control horses that were co-grazing pastures with EGS horses at disease onset (CoG group; 48 samples from 48 horses). RESULTS Mycobiota at all 5 gastrointestinal sites comprised large numbers of fungi exhibiting diverse taxonomy, growth morphology, trophic mode and ecological guild. FUNGuild analysis parsed most phylotypes as ingested environmental microfungi, agaricoids and yeasts, with only 1% as gastrointestinal adapted animal endosymbionts. Mycobiota richness varied throughout the gastrointestinal tract and was greater in EGS horses. There were significant inter-group and inter-site differences in mycobiota structure. A large number of phylotypes were differentially abundant among groups. Key phylotypes (n = 56) associated with EGS were identified that had high abundance and high prevalence in EGS samples, significantly increased abundance in EGS samples, and were important determinants of the inter-group differences in mycobiota structure. Many key phylotypes were extremophiles and/or were predicted to produce cytotoxic and/or neurotoxic extrolites. CONCLUSIONS This is the first reported molecular characterisation of the gastrointestinal mycobiota of grazing horses. Key phylotypes associated with EGS were identified. Further work is required to determine whether neurotoxic extrolites from key phylotypes contribute to EGS aetiology or whether the association of key phylotypes and EGS is a consequence of disease or is non-causal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce C McGorum
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Zihao Chen
- Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - Laura Glendinning
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Hyun S Gweon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6EX, UK
| | - Luanne Hunt
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Alasdair Ivens
- Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, UK
| | - John A Keen
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - R Scott Pirie
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Joanne Taylor
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR, UK
| | - Toby Wilkinson
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Gerry McLachlan
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
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Fuentes-Chust C, Parolo C, Rosati G, Rivas L, Perez-Toralla K, Simon S, de Lecuona I, Junot C, Trebicka J, Merkoçi A. The Microbiome Meets Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Challenges in Developing New Diagnostic Devices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2006104. [PMID: 33719117 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202006104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of the human microbiome is an emerging area of diagnostics for personalized medicine. Here, the potential of different nanomaterials and nanobiosensing technologies is reviewed for the development of novel diagnostic devices for the detection and measurement of microbiome-related biomarkers. Moreover, the current and future landscape of microbiome-based diagnostics is defined by exploring the advantages and disadvantages of current nanotechnology-based approaches, especially in the context of developing point-of-care (PoC) devices that would meet the international guidelines known as REASSURED (Real-time connectivity; Ease of specimen collection; Affordability; Sensitivity; Specificity; User-friendliness; Rapid & robust operation; Equipment-free; and Deliverability). Finally, the strategies of the latest international scientific consortia working in this field are analyzed, the current microbiome diagnostics market are reported and the principal ethical, legal, and societal issues related to microbiome R&D and innovation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Fuentes-Chust
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), UAB Campus, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Claudio Parolo
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), UAB Campus, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Giulio Rosati
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), UAB Campus, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Lourdes Rivas
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), UAB Campus, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Karla Perez-Toralla
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), SPI, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, 91191, France
| | - Stéphanie Simon
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), SPI, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, 91191, France
| | - Itziar de Lecuona
- Bioethics and Law Observatory -UNESCO Chair in Bioethics-Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08007, Spain
| | - Christophe Junot
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), SPI, Gif-sur-Yvette cedex, 91191, France
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Travesera de Gracia 11, Barcelona, 08021, Spain
| | - Arben Merkoçi
- Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), UAB Campus, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- ICREA, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, 08010, Spain
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Leng J, McNally S, Walton G, Swann J, Proudman C, Argo C, Emery S, La Ragione R, Eustace R. Hay vs haylage: Forage type influences the equine urinary metabonome and faecal microbiota. Equine Vet J 2021; 54:614-625. [PMID: 33900659 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gut microbial communities are increasingly being linked to diseases in animals and humans. Obesity and its associated diseases are a concern for horse owners and veterinarians, and there is a growing interest in the link among diet, the intestinal microbiota and metabolic disease. OBJECTIVES Assess the influence of long-term hay or haylage feeding on the microbiota and metabolomes of 20 Welsh mountain ponies. STUDY DESIGN Longitudinal study. METHODS Urine, faeces and blood were collected from 20 ponies on a monthly basis over a 13-month period. Urine and faeces were analysed using proton magnetic resonance (1 H NMR) spectroscopy and faecal bacterial DNA underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS Faecal bacterial community profiles were observed to be different for the two groups, with discriminant analysis identifying 102 bacterial groups (or operational taxonomic units, OTUs) that differed in relative abundance in accordance with forage type. Urinary metabolic profiles of the hay- and haylage-fed ponies were significantly different during 12 of the 13 mo of the study. Notably, the urinary excretion of hippurate was greater in the hay-fed ponies for the duration of the study, while ethyl-glucoside excretion was higher in the haylage-fed ponies. MAIN LIMITATIONS The study was undertaken over a 13-month period and both groups of ponies had access to pasture during the summer months. CONCLUSIONS The data generated from this study suggest that the choice of forage may have implications for the intestinal microbiota and metabolism of ponies and, therefore, potentially their health status. Understanding the potential implication of feeding a particular type of forage will enable horse owners to make more informed choices with regard to feed, especially if their horse or pony is prone to weight gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Leng
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | - Susan McNally
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | - Gemma Walton
- Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Jonathan Swann
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Chris Proudman
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | | | - Sue Emery
- The Laminitis Clinic, Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK
| | - Roberto La Ragione
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
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Reed KJ, Kunz IGZ, Scare JA, Nielsen MK, Turk PJ, Coleman RJ, Coleman SJ. The pelvic flexure separates distinct microbial communities in the equine hindgut. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4332. [PMID: 33619300 PMCID: PMC7900177 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83783-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
As hindgut fermenters, horses are especially dependent on the microbiota residing in their cecum and large intestines. Interactions between these microbial populations and the horse are critical for maintaining gut homeostasis, which supports proper digestion. The current project was motivated to determine if any features of the fecal microbiota are informative of the microbial communities from the cecum, ventral colon, or dorsal colon. Digesta from the cecum, ventral colon, dorsal colon and feces were collected from 6 yearling miniature horses. Microbial DNA was isolated and the microbiota from each sample was characterized by profiling the V4 region of the 16S rRNA. Principal coordinate analysis of the beta diversity results revealed significant (p = 0.0001; F = 5.2393) similarities between the microbial populations from cecal and ventral colon and the dorsal colon and fecal samples, however, there was little overlap between the proximal and distal ends of the hindgut. These distinct population structures observed in our results coincide with the pelvic flexure, which itself separates intestinal compartments with distinct roles in digestive physiology. An indicator species analysis confirmed the population differences, supported by the identification of several microbial families characteristic of the compartments upstream of the pelvic flexure that were not represented following it. Our data suggest that the fecal microbiota is not informative of the proximal hindgut but can provide insight into communities of the distal compartments. Further, our results suggest that the pelvic flexure might be an important anatomical landmark relative to the microbial communities in the equine large intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailee J. Reed
- grid.47894.360000 0004 1936 8083Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521 USA ,grid.47894.360000 0004 1936 8083Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521 USA
| | - Isabelle G. Z. Kunz
- grid.47894.360000 0004 1936 8083Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521 USA
| | - Jessica A. Scare
- grid.266539.d0000 0004 1936 8438M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546 USA
| | - Martin K. Nielsen
- grid.266539.d0000 0004 1936 8438M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546 USA
| | - Philip J. Turk
- grid.47894.360000 0004 1936 8083Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521 USA ,grid.427669.80000 0004 0387 0597Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC 28203 USA
| | - Robert J. Coleman
- grid.266539.d0000 0004 1936 8438Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546 USA
| | - Stephen J. Coleman
- grid.47894.360000 0004 1936 8083Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521 USA ,grid.47894.360000 0004 1936 8083Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521 USA
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Wimmer-Scherr C, Taminiau B, Renaud B, van Loon G, Palmers K, Votion D, Amory H, Daube G, Cesarini C. Comparison of Fecal Microbiota of Horses Suffering from Atypical Myopathy and Healthy Co-Grazers. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020506. [PMID: 33672034 PMCID: PMC7919468 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine atypical myopathy (AM) is caused by hypoglycin A (HGA) and methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG) intoxication resulting from the ingestion of seeds or seedlings of some Acer tree species. Interestingly, not all horses pasturing in the same toxic environment develop signs of the disease. In other species, it has been shown that the intestinal microbiota has an impact on digestion, metabolism, immune stimulation and protection from disease. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare fecal microbiota of horses suffering from AM and healthy co-grazers. Furthermore, potential differences in fecal microbiota regarding the outcome of diseased animals were assessed. This prospective observational study included 59 horses with AM (29 survivors and 30 non-survivors) referred to three Belgian equine hospitals and 26 clinically healthy co-grazers simultaneously sharing contaminated pastures during spring and autumn outbreak periods. Fresh fecal samples (rectal or within 30 min of defecation) were obtained from all horses and bacterial taxonomy profiling obtained by 16S amplicon sequencing was used to identify differentially distributed bacterial taxa between AM-affected horses and healthy co-grazers. Fecal microbial diversity and evenness were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in AM-affected horses as compared with their non-affected co-grazers. The relative abundance of families Ruminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae and Akkermansiaceae were higher (p ≤ 0.001) whereas those of the Lachnospiraceae (p = 0.0053), Bacteroidales (p < 0.0001) and Clostridiales (p = 0.0402) were lower in horses with AM, especially in those with a poor prognosis. While significant shifts were observed, it is still unclear whether they result from the disease or might be involved in the onset of disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Wimmer-Scherr
- Equine Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bât. B41, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.W.-S.); (H.A.)
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (B.T.); (B.R.); (D.V.); (G.D.)
| | - Bernard Taminiau
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (B.T.); (B.R.); (D.V.); (G.D.)
- Department of Food Sciences–Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Avenue de Cureghem 10, Bât. B43b, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Benoît Renaud
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (B.T.); (B.R.); (D.V.); (G.D.)
- Department of Functional Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bât. B41, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Gunther van Loon
- Large Animal Internal Medicine, Gent University, 9820 Gent, Belgium;
| | | | - Dominique Votion
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (B.T.); (B.R.); (D.V.); (G.D.)
| | - Hélène Amory
- Equine Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bât. B41, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.W.-S.); (H.A.)
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (B.T.); (B.R.); (D.V.); (G.D.)
| | - Georges Daube
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (B.T.); (B.R.); (D.V.); (G.D.)
- Department of Food Sciences–Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Avenue de Cureghem 10, Bât. B43b, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Carla Cesarini
- Equine Clinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bât. B41, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (C.W.-S.); (H.A.)
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sart Tilman, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (B.T.); (B.R.); (D.V.); (G.D.)
- Correspondence:
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8
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Daniels SP, Leng J, Swann JR, Proudman CJ. Bugs and drugs: a systems biology approach to characterising the effect of moxidectin on the horse's faecal microbiome. Anim Microbiome 2020; 2:38. [PMID: 33499996 PMCID: PMC7807906 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-020-00056-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anthelmintic treatment is a risk factor for intestinal disease in the horse, known as colic. However the mechanisms involved in the onset of disease post anthelmintic treatment are unknown. The interaction between anthelmintic drugs and the gut microbiota may be associated with this observed increase in risk of colic. Little is known about the interaction between gut microbiota and anthelmintics and how treatment may alter microbiome function. The objectives of this study were: To characterise (1) faecal microbiota, (2) feed fermentation kinetics in vitro and (3) metabolic profiles following moxidectin administration to horses with very low (0 epg) adult strongyle burdens. Hypothesis: Moxidectin will not alter (1) faecal microbiota, (2) feed fermentation in vitro, or, (3) host metabolome. Results Moxidectin increased the relative abundance of Deferribacter spp. and Spirochaetes spp. observed after 160 h in moxidectin treated horses. Reduced in vitro fibre fermentation was observed 16 h following moxidectin administration in vivo (P = 0.001), along with lower pH in the in vitro fermentations from the moxidectin treated group. Metabolic profiles from urine samples did not differ between the treatment groups. However metabolic profiles from in vitro fermentations differed between moxidectin and control groups 16 h after treatment (R2 = 0.69, Q2Y = 0.48), and within the moxidectin group between 16 h and 160 h post moxidectin treatment (R2 = 0.79, Q2Y = 0.77). Metabolic profiles from in vitro fermentations and fermentation kinetics both indicated altered carbohydrate metabolism following in vivo treatment with moxidectin. Conclusions These data suggest that in horses with low parasite burdens moxidectin had a small but measurable effect on both the community structure and the function of the gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Daniels
- School of Equine Management and Science, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL9 6JS, UK. .,School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7TE, UK.
| | - J Leng
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7TE, UK
| | - J R Swann
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - C J Proudman
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7TE, UK
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9
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Garber A, Hastie P, Murray JA. Factors Influencing Equine Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 88:102943. [PMID: 32303307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal microbiota play a crucial role in nutrient digestion, maintaining animal health and welfare. Various factors may affect microbial balance often leading to disturbances that may result in debilitating conditions such as colic and laminitis. The invention of next-generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics has provided valuable information on the effects of factors influencing equine gut microbiota. Among those factors are nutrition and management (e.g., diet, supplements, exercise), medical substances (e.g., antimicrobials, anthelmintics, anesthetics), animal-related factors (breed and age), various pathological conditions (colitis, diarrhea, colic, laminitis, equine gastric ulcer syndrome), as well as stress-related factors (transportation and weaning). The aim of this review is to assimilate current knowledge on equine microbiome studies, focusing on the effect of factors influencing equine gastrointestinal microbiota. Decrease in microbial diversity and richness leading to decrease in stability; decrease in Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae family members, which contribute to gut homeostasis; increase in Lactobacillus and Streptococcus; decrease in lactic acid utilizing bacteria; decrease in butyrate-producing bacteria that have anti-inflammatory properties may all be considered as a negative change in equine gut microbiota. Shifts in Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes have often been observed in the literature in response to certain treatments or when describing healthy and unhealthy animals; however, these shifts are inconsistent. It is time to move forward and use the knowledge now acquired to start manipulating the microbiota of horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Garber
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Peter Hastie
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jo-Anne Murray
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Leng J, Walton G, Swann J, Darby A, La Ragione R, Proudman C. "Bowel on the Bench": Proof of Concept of a Three-Stage, In Vitro Fermentation Model of the Equine Large Intestine. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 86:e02093-19. [PMID: 31676474 PMCID: PMC6912081 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02093-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The intestinal microbiota of the horse, an animal of huge economic and social importance worldwide, is essential to the health of the animal. Understanding the intestinal ecosystem and its dynamic interaction with diet and dietary supplements currently requires the use of experimental animals, with consequent welfare and financial constraints. Here, we describe the development and assessment, using multiple analytical platforms, of a three-vessel, continuous-flow, in vitro model of the equine hindgut. After inoculation of the model with fresh horse feces, the bacterial communities established in each vessel had a taxonomic distribution similar to that of the source animal. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) production within the model at steady state was consistent with the expected bacterial function, although higher concentrations of some SCFA/BCFA relative to those in the ex vivo gut content were apparent. We demonstrate the intermodel repeatability and the ability of the model to capture some aspects of individual variation in bacterial community profiles. The findings of this proof-of-concept study, including recognition of the limitions of the model, support its future development as a tool for investigating the impact of disease, nutrition, dietary supplementation, and medication on the equine intestinal microbiota.IMPORTANCE The equine gut model that we have developed and describe has the potential to facilitate the exploration of how the equine gut microbiota is affected by diet, disease, and medication. It is a convenient, cost-effective, and welfare-friendly alternative to in vivo research models.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Leng
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - G Walton
- Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - J Swann
- Division of Integrative Systems Medicine and Digestive Diseases, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Darby
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - R La Ragione
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - C Proudman
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
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Kauter A, Epping L, Semmler T, Antao EM, Kannapin D, Stoeckle SD, Gehlen H, Lübke-Becker A, Günther S, Wieler LH, Walther B. The gut microbiome of horses: current research on equine enteral microbiota and future perspectives. Anim Microbiome 2019; 1:14. [PMID: 33499951 PMCID: PMC7807895 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-019-0013-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the complex interactions of microbial communities including bacteria, archaea, parasites, viruses and fungi of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) associated with states of either health or disease is still an expanding research field in both, human and veterinary medicine. GIT disorders and their consequences are among the most important diseases of domesticated Equidae, but current gaps of knowledge hinder adequate progress with respect to disease prevention and microbiome-based interventions. Current literature on enteral microbiomes mirrors a vast data and knowledge imbalance, with only few studies tackling archaea, viruses and eukaryotes compared with those addressing the bacterial components.Until recently, culture-dependent methods were used for the identification and description of compositional changes of enteral microorganisms, limiting the outcome to cultivatable bacteria only. Today, next generation sequencing technologies provide access to the entirety of genes (microbiome) associated with the microorganisms of the equine GIT including the mass of uncultured microbiota, or "microbial dark matter".This review illustrates methods commonly used for enteral microbiome analysis in horses and summarizes key findings reached for bacteria, viruses and fungi so far. Moreover, reasonable possibilities to combine different explorative techniques are described. As a future perspective, knowledge expansion concerning beneficial compositions of microorganisms within the equine GIT creates novel possibilities for early disorder diagnostics as well as innovative therapeutic approaches. In addition, analysis of shotgun metagenomic data enables tracking of certain microorganisms beyond species barriers: transmission events of bacteria including pathogens and opportunists harboring antibiotic resistance factors between different horses but also between humans and horses will reach new levels of depth concerning strain-level distinctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kauter
- Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy (ZBS-4), Robert Koch Institute, Seestraße 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lennard Epping
- Microbial Genomics (NG1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Torsten Semmler
- Microbial Genomics (NG1), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Dania Kannapin
- Equine Clinic, Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabita D Stoeckle
- Equine Clinic, Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heidrun Gehlen
- Equine Clinic, Surgery and Radiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antina Lübke-Becker
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Günther
- Pharmaceutical Biology Institute of Pharmacy, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Birgit Walther
- Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy (ZBS-4), Robert Koch Institute, Seestraße 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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12
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Dysbiosis associated with acute helminth infections in herbivorous youngstock - observations and implications. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11121. [PMID: 31366962 PMCID: PMC6668452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47204-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A plethora of data points towards a role of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota of neonatal and young vertebrates in supporting the development and regulation of the host immune system. However, knowledge of the impact that infections by GI helminths exert on the developing microbiota of juvenile hosts is, thus far, limited. This study investigates, for the first time, the associations between acute infections by GI helminths and the faecal microbial and metabolic profiles of a cohort of equine youngstock, prior to and following treatment with parasiticides (ivermectin). We observed that high versus low parasite burdens (measured via parasite egg counts in faecal samples) were associated with specific compositional alterations of the developing microbiome; in particular, the faecal microbiota of animals with heavy worm infection burdens was characterised by lower microbial richness, and alterations to the relative abundances of bacterial taxa with immune-modulatory functions. Amino acids and glucose were increased in faecal samples from the same cohort, which indicated the likely occurrence of intestinal malabsorption. These data support the hypothesis that GI helminth infections in young livestock are associated with significant alterations to the GI microbiota, which may impact on both metabolism and development of acquired immunity. This knowledge will direct future studies aimed to identify the long-term impact of infection-induced alterations of the GI microbiota in young livestock.
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Salem SE, Hough R, Probert C, Maddox TW, Antczak P, Ketley JM, Williams NJ, Stoneham SJ, Archer DC. A longitudinal study of the faecal microbiome and metabolome of periparturient mares. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6687. [PMID: 30976468 PMCID: PMC6451438 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Periparturient mares are at increased risk of colic including large colon volvulus, which has a high mortality rate. Alterations in colonic microbiota related to either physiological or management changes, or both, that occur at this time have been suggested as potential causes for increased colic risk in this population of horses. Although the effect of management changes on the horse faecal microbiota has been investigated, limited work has been conducted to investigate changes in faecal microbiota structure and function in the periparturient period. The objectives of the current study were to investigate temporal stability of the faecal microbiota and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the faecal metabolome in periparturient mares. Methods Faecal samples were collected weekly from five pregnant mares from 3 weeks pre-foaling to 7 weeks post-foaling. The microbiome data was generated by PCR amplification and sequencing of the V1–V2 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA genes, while the VOC profile was characterised using headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Results The mare faecal microbiota was relatively stable over the periparturient period and most variation was associated with individual mares. A small number of operational taxonomic units were found to be significantly differentially abundant between samples collected before and after foaling. A total of 98 VOCs were identified. The total number of VOCs did not vary significantly between individual mares, weeks of sample collection and feeds available to the mares. Three VOCs (decane, 2-pentylfuran, and oct-2-ene) showed significant increase overtime on linear mixed effects modelling analysis. These results suggest that the mare faecal microbiota is structurally and functionally stable during the periparturient period. The findings also suggest that if changes in the gut microbiota are related to development of colic postpartum, altered risk may be due to inherent differences between individual mares. VOCs offer a cost-effective means of looking at the functional changes in the microbiome and warrant further investigation in mares at risk of colic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shebl E Salem
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst campus, Wirral, UK.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Al Sharquiya, Egypt
| | - Rachael Hough
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Chris Probert
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Thomas W Maddox
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Philipp Antczak
- Computational Biology Facility, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Julian M Ketley
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Nicola J Williams
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst campus, Wirral, UK
| | | | - Debra C Archer
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Leahurst campus, Wirral, UK
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