Michel Boisseau and colleagues conducted a study to explore how helminths, particularly cyathostomins, interact with the gut microbiota in their host animals.
The research team observed naturally infected ponies to track changes in this relationship over time, both before and after treating them with pyrantel. (Pyrantel targets adult cyathostomins without affecting larval stages in the gut wall.)
They also looked at how the ponies' blood gene expression responded to the anthelmintic treatment. Their work is reported in iScience.
The study involved 40 naturally infected Welsh pony mares, divided into four groups based on their worm burden and whether they received pyrantel treatment.
Among the high shedding ponies, the researchers identified 14 species of cyathostomins, the most abundant of which was Cylicocyclus nassatus. They found that ponies with high cyathostomin egg counts had a richer and more dynamic gut microbiota. The presence of butyrate-producing Clostridia seemed to play an important role in maintaining stability within the ecosystem, while also bolstering host tolerance towards cyathostomin infections. Genes involved in B-cell activation and IgA synthesis were upregulated in high shedding ponies.
The administration of anthelmintic treatment induced a dramatic shift in the gut environment and microbial community dynamics, with the population being less stable. These changes were still present 7 days after treatment, and to a lesser extent after 15days. Anthelmintic treatment only had a limited effect on the host blood gene expression.
The researchers conclude: “These observations highlight how anthelmintic treatments alter the triangular relationship of parasite, host, and gut microbiota and open new perspectives for adding nutritional intervention to current parasite management strategies.”
For more details, see:
Michel Boisseau, Sophie Dhorne-Pollet, David Bars-Cortina, Élise Courtot, Delphine Serreau, Gwenolah Annonay, Jérôme Lluch, Amandine Gesbert, Fabrice Reigner, Guillaume Sallé, Núria Mach,
Species interactions, stability, and resilience of the gut microbiota - Helminth assemblage in horses,
iScience, Vol 26, 2, (2023), 106044.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106044
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