Gut microbial signatures associated with moxidectin treatment efficacy of Haemonchus contortus in infected goats

Publication date: Available online 8 February 2020Source: Veterinary MicrobiologyAuthor(s): Fang Liu, Yue Xie, Anne M. Zajac, Yan Hu, Raffi V. Aroian, Joseph F. Urban, Robert W. LiAbstractParasitic infections are associated with profound changes in the structure and function of the gut microbiome in various host-parasite systems. Here we examined the microbial composition and function in the abomasum, proximal colon and feces of Haemonchus contortus-infected goats after a partial anthelmintic drug clearance. A single-dose treatment of H. contortus-infected goats with Cydectin (moxidectin) resulted in an 83.9% and 61.8% reduction in fecal egg counts (EPG) and worm burden, respectively (P <  0.01), and restored abomasal pH to a normal baseline level. The treatment significantly increased the abundance of Proteobacteria, particularly that of Campylobacter, in the proximal colon. It also significantly affected several basic pathways, including bacterial secretion, butyrate metabolism, and LPS biosynthesis, and seemingly reduced the cellulolytic capacity in the colon. Several network modules displayed a strong correlation with EPG and worm burden. The Mantel test indicated a strong correlation between treatment related network topologies of the operational taxonomic units (OTU) belonging to Actinobacteria and Rikenellaceae and EPG and worm burden levels, respectively. Furthermore, microbial signatures that may better predict anthelmintic efficacy were identified. A signatu...
Source: Veterinary Microbiology - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research