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Boucher L, Leduc L, Leclère M, Costa MC. Current Understanding of Equine Gut Dysbiosis and Microbiota Manipulation Techniques: Comparison with Current Knowledge in Other Species. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:758. [PMID: 38473143 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the importance of intestinal microbiota in horses and the factors influencing its composition have been the focus of many studies over the past few years. Factors such as age, diet, antibiotic administration, and geographic location can affect the gut microbiota. The intra- and inter-individual variability of fecal microbiota in horses complicates its interpretation and has hindered the establishment of a clear definition for dysbiosis. Although a definitive causal relationship between gut dysbiosis in horses and diseases has not been clearly identified, recent research suggests that dysbiosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of various conditions, such as colitis and asthma. Prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation to modulate the horse's gastrointestinal tract may eventually be considered a valuable tool for preventing or treating diseases, such as antibiotic-induced colitis. This article aims to summarize the current knowledge on the importance of intestinal microbiota in horses and factors influencing its composition, and also to review the published literature on methods for detecting dysbiosis while discussing the efficacy of gut microbiota manipulation in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Boucher
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Laurence Leduc
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Mathilde Leclère
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Marcio Carvalho Costa
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
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Leduc L, Costa M, Leclère M. The Microbiota and Equine Asthma: An Integrative View of the Gut-Lung Axis. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:253. [PMID: 38254421 PMCID: PMC10812655 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Both microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions can have effects beyond the local environment and influence immunological responses in remote organs such as the lungs. The crosstalk between the gut and the lungs, which is supported by complex connections and intricate pathways, is defined as the gut-lung axis. This review aimed to report on the potential role of the gut-lung gut-lung axis in the development and persistence of equine asthma. We summarized significant determinants in the development of asthma in horses and humans. The article discusses the gut-lung axis and proposes an integrative view of the relationship between gut microbiota and asthma. It also explores therapies for modulating the gut microbiota in horses with asthma. Improving our understanding of the horse gut-lung axis could lead to the development of techniques such as fecal microbiota transplants, probiotics, or prebiotics to manipulate the gut microbiota specifically for improving the management of asthma in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Leduc
- Clinical Sciences Department, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
| | - Marcio Costa
- Veterinary Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
| | - Mathilde Leclère
- Clinical Sciences Department, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
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Arnold CE, Pilla R. What Is the Microbiota and What Is Its Role in Colic? Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2023:S0749-0739(23)00016-0. [PMID: 37121786 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The fecal microbiome of the horse is reflective of the large colon and plays an important role in the health of the horse. The microbes of the gastrointestinal tract digest fiber and produce energy for the host. Healthy horses have Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucromicrobia as the most common phyla. During gastrointestinal disease such as colic or colitis, the microbiome shows less diversity and changes in bacterial community composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn E Arnold
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Street, Amarillo, Texas 79106, USA.
| | - Rachel Pilla
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Arantes JA, Borges AS, Zakia LS, Surette MG, Weese JS, Costa MC, Arroyo LG. Effect of dietary iron supplementation on the equine fecal microbiome. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE RECHERCHE VETERINAIRE 2023; 87:97-104. [PMID: 37020575 PMCID: PMC10069153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Iron is an essential element for all living organisms, including bacteria, as several virulence factors and replication components are influenced by iron concentration. The objective of this study was to determine whether the composition and diversity of the fecal microbiota of adult horses are affected by supplemental dietary iron. Ten clinically healthy horses were randomly divided into a control and an iron-supplemented group (n = 5). The treated group was supplemented with oral ferrous sulphate monohydrate (720 ppm of iron), whereas the control group received 320 ppm of iron daily for 15 d. Fecal samples were collected before and 5, 10, 15, and 30 d after supplementation and frozen at -80°C. DNA was sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform and data were analyzed using the software Mothur and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe). Iron supplementation caused no change in the overall composition of the fecal microbiota, but some minor changes were observed in the low-abundant bacteria, as well as an increased alpha diversity after 15 d of supplementation. Significant differences in community composition of the fecal microbiota over time were observed in both groups, highlighting the importance of a control group, as there are variables that cannot be controlled in microbiome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Assis Arantes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil (Arantes); Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil (Borges); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Zakia, Weese, Arroyo); Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Surette); Department of Biomedicine, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec (Costa)
| | - Alexandre Secorun Borges
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil (Arantes); Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil (Borges); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Zakia, Weese, Arroyo); Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Surette); Department of Biomedicine, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec (Costa)
| | - Luiza Stachewski Zakia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil (Arantes); Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil (Borges); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Zakia, Weese, Arroyo); Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Surette); Department of Biomedicine, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec (Costa)
| | - Michael Gordon Surette
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil (Arantes); Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil (Borges); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Zakia, Weese, Arroyo); Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Surette); Department of Biomedicine, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec (Costa)
| | - Jeffrey Scott Weese
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil (Arantes); Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil (Borges); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Zakia, Weese, Arroyo); Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Surette); Department of Biomedicine, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec (Costa)
| | - Marcio Carvalho Costa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil (Arantes); Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil (Borges); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Zakia, Weese, Arroyo); Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Surette); Department of Biomedicine, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec (Costa)
| | - Luis Guillermo Arroyo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, São Paulo, Brazil (Arantes); Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil (Borges); Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Zakia, Weese, Arroyo); Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Surette); Department of Biomedicine, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec (Costa)
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Di Pietro R, Arroyo LG, Leclere M, Costa M. Effects of concentrated fecal microbiota transplant on the equine fecal microbiota after antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE RECHERCHE VETERINAIRE 2023; 87:85-96. [PMID: 37020579 PMCID: PMC10069150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial imbalances are observed in intestinal diseases and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used to restore the intestinal microbiota of horses. However, there is evidence that the current methods proposed for FMT in horses have limited efficacy. The objective of this study was to concentrate the bacteria present in the donor stool by centrifugation, and to test the effect in horses with antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. One healthy 11-year-old horse was selected as a fecal donor and 9 horses were given trimethoprim sulfadiazine (TMS) for 5 days to induce dysbiosis. Horses received either a concentrated FMT (cFMT, n = 3), fresh unconcentrated FMT (fFMT, n = 3), or 10% glycerol solution (vehicle, VEH, n = 3) by nasogastric tube for 3 days. Fecal samples were collected on Days 0, 4, 9, 11, and 21 for microbiota analysis (Illumina sequencing). The TMS significantly changed the bacterial composition of horses' feces (D0 versus D4). The composition of the cFMT and fFMT recipient horses was significantly different after transplantation compared to after antibiotic-induced dysbiosis (D4 versus D11), whereas the microbiota of the vehicle recipients was not, indicating that both protocols induced transient changes. However, preparation of FMT solutions markedly changed the original composition present in the donor's feces, with significant enrichment of Escherichia genus in the cFMT. Individual susceptibility to restoration of the microbiota was observed in horses, similar to what is known for other species. Our results suggest that concentrating bacteria should not be recommended in preparation of FMT solutions and that further research is required to improve current methods recommended to perform FMT in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Di Pietro, Costa), Department of Clinical Sciences (Leclere), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Arroyo)
| | - Luis G Arroyo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Di Pietro, Costa), Department of Clinical Sciences (Leclere), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Arroyo)
| | - Mathilde Leclere
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Di Pietro, Costa), Department of Clinical Sciences (Leclere), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Arroyo)
| | - Marcio Costa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences (Di Pietro, Costa), Department of Clinical Sciences (Leclere), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 (Arroyo)
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Theelen MJP, Luiken REC, Wagenaar JA, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Rossen JWA, Schaafstra FJWC, van Doorn DA, Zomer AL. Longitudinal study of the short- and long-term effects of hospitalisation and oral trimethoprim-sulfadiazine administration on the equine faecal microbiome and resistome. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:33. [PMID: 36850017 PMCID: PMC9969626 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01465-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalisation and antimicrobial treatment are common in horses and significantly impact the intestinal microbiota. Antimicrobial treatment might also increase levels of resistant bacteria in faeces, which could spread to other ecological compartments, such as the environment, other animals and humans. In this study, we aimed to characterise the short- and long-term effects of transportation, hospitalisation and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (TMS) administration on the faecal microbiota and resistome of healthy equids. METHODS In a longitudinal experimental study design, in which the ponies served as their own control, faecal samples were collected from six healthy Welsh ponies at the farm (D0-D13-1), immediately following transportation to the hospital (D13-2), during 7 days of hospitalisation without treatment (D14-D21), during 5 days of oral TMS treatment (D22-D26) and after discharge from the hospital up to 6 months later (D27-D211). After DNA extraction, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on all samples. For resistome analysis, shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on selected samples. RESULTS Hospitalisation without antimicrobial treatment did not significantly affect microbiota composition. Oral TMS treatment reduced alpha-diversity significantly. Kiritimatiellaeota, Fibrobacteres and Verrucomicrobia significantly decreased in relative abundance, whereas Firmicutes increased. The faecal microbiota composition gradually recovered after discontinuation of TMS treatment and discharge from the hospital and, after 2 weeks, was more similar to pre-treatment composition than to composition during TMS treatment. Six months later, however, microbiota composition still differed significantly from that at the start of the study and Spirochaetes and Verrucomicrobia were less abundant. TMS administration led to a significant (up to 32-fold) and rapid increase in the relative abundance of resistance genes sul2, tetQ, ant6-1a, and aph(3")-lb. lnuC significantly decreased directly after treatment. Resistance genes sul2 (15-fold) and tetQ (six-fold) remained significantly increased 6 months later. CONCLUSIONS Oral treatment with TMS has a rapid and long-lasting effect on faecal microbiota composition and resistome, making the equine hindgut a reservoir and potential source of resistant bacteria posing a risk to animal and human health through transmission. These findings support the judicious use of antimicrobials to minimise long-term faecal presence, excretion and the spread of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathijs J. P. Theelen
- Department of Clinical Sciences (Equine Sciences), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Immunology), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Roosmarijn E. C. Luiken
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Immunology), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jaap A. Wagenaar
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Immunology), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Campylobacter and Antimicrobial Resistance from a One Health Perspective/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - John W. A. Rossen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 15 North Medical Drive East, Ste #1100, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 USA
| | - Femke J. W. C. Schaafstra
- HAS University of Applied Sciences, Onderwijsboulevard 221, 5223 DE ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
- Department of Population Health Sciences (Farm Animal Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - David A. van Doorn
- Department of Clinical Sciences (Equine Sciences), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Population Health Sciences (Farm Animal Health), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Aldert L. Zomer
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences (Infectious Diseases and Immunology), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Campylobacter and Antimicrobial Resistance from a One Health Perspective/OIE Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Liepman RS, Swink JM, Habing GG, Boyaka PN, Caddey B, Costa M, Gomez DE, Toribio RE. Effects of Intravenous Antimicrobial Drugs on the Equine Fecal Microbiome. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:1013. [PMID: 35454258 PMCID: PMC9030835 DOI: 10.3390/ani12081013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the gastrointestinal microbiota after antimicrobial therapy in horses can result in loss of colonization resistance and changes in bacterial metabolic function. It is hypothesized that these changes facilitate gastrointestinal inflammation, pathogen expansion and the development of diarrhea. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of intravenous administration of antimicrobial drugs (ceftiofur, enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline) on equine fecal bacterial communities over time, to investigate whether those changes are detectable after 5 days of treatment and whether they persist over time (30 days). Sixteen horses were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups: group 1 (enrofloxacin, n = 4); group 2 (ceftiofur sodium, n = 4); group 3 (oxytetracycline, n = 4); group 4 (0.9% saline solution, placebo, n = 4). Antimicrobial therapy was administered for 5 days. Fecal samples were obtained before (day 0) and at 3, 5 and 30 days of the study period. Bacterial DNA was amplified using specific primers to the hypervariable region V1−V3 of the 16S rRNA gene using a 454 FLX-Titanium pyrosequencer. Antimicrobial therapy failed to cause any changes in physical examination parameters, behavior, appetite or fecal output or consistency throughout the study in any horse. There was a significant effect of treatment on alpha diversity indices (richness) over the treatment interval for ceftiofur on days 0 vs. 3 (p < 0.05), but not for other antimicrobials (p > 0.05). Microbial composition was significantly different (p < 0.05) across treatment group and day, but not for interactions between treatment and day, regardless of taxonomic level and beta-diversity distance metric. The most significant antimicrobial effects on relative abundance were noted after intravenous administration of ceftiofur and enrofloxacin. The relative abundance of Fibrobacteres was markedly lower on day 3 compared to other days in the ceftiofur and enrofloxacin treatment groups. There was an increase in Clostridia and Lachnospiraceae from day 0 to days 3 and 5 in ceftiofur and enrofloxacin treated groups. These findings showed the negative effect of antimicrobial drugs on bacterial communities associated with gut health (Fibrobacteres and Lachnospiraceae) and indicate that changes in specific taxa could predispose horses to gastrointestinal inflammation and the development of diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S. Liepman
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (R.S.L.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Jacob M. Swink
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (R.S.L.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Greg G. Habing
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Prosper N. Boyaka
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Benjamin Caddey
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
| | - Marcio Costa
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
| | - Diego E. Gomez
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Ramiro E. Toribio
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (R.S.L.); (J.M.S.)
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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: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [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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9
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The Immune Mechanisms of Severe Equine Asthma-Current Understanding and What Is Missing. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060744. [PMID: 35327141 PMCID: PMC8944511 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe equine asthma is a chronic respiratory disease of adult horses, occurring when genetically susceptible individuals are exposed to environmental aeroallergens. This results in airway inflammation, mucus accumulation and bronchial constriction. Although several studies aimed at evaluating the genetic and immune pathways associated with the disease, the results reported are inconsistent. Furthermore, the complexity and heterogeneity of this disease bears great similarity to what is described for human asthma. Currently available studies identified two chromosome regions (ECA13 and ECA15) and several genes associated with the disease. The inflammatory response appears to be mediated by T helper cells (Th1, Th2, Th17) and neutrophilic inflammation significantly contributes to the persistence of airway inflammatory status. This review evaluates the reported findings pertaining to the genetical and immunological background of severe equine asthma and reflects on their implications in the pathophysiology of the disease whilst discussing further areas of research interest aiming at advancing treatment and prognosis of affected individuals.
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