Beyond the host: Unveiling the independent microbiome of equine gastrointestinal nematodes.
Authors: Gentilini Fabio, Ogundipe Tolulope Grace, Turba Maria Elena, Romagnoli Noemi, Lambertini Carlotta, Pollera Claudia, Cremonesi Paola, Stancampiano Laura
Journal: PloS one
Summary
Gastrointestinal nematode infections remain a significant welfare concern in equine practice, particularly given the growing prevalence of anthelmintic resistance; this research investigated whether the parasites themselves harbour distinct microbial communities that might influence parasite survival and host-parasite interactions. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, researchers characterised the microbiomes of equine gastrointestinal nematodes collected at slaughter and compared them with faecal samples from infected horses and donkeys, examining variation across intestinal sites, nematode subfamilies, and parasite sex. The nematode microbiota proved markedly different from the host faecal microbiota, with lower microbial richness but distinct community structures dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and other phyla; notably, Proteobacteria showed consistent enrichment within nematodes, particularly in caecal parasites, whilst certain taxa such as Fusobacterium, Mesorhizobium, and Mycoplasma appeared exclusively associated with the parasites themselves. This evidence of ecological specialisation—with the parasite harbouring its own structured microbial ecosystem—opens new possibilities for parasite control strategies that extend beyond conventional anthelmintics, potentially via targeting the microbiota upon which nematode survival or reproduction depends. For practitioners seeking alternatives to anthelmintic resistance, these findings suggest that understanding parasite-specific microbial dynamics could inform novel interventions in integrated parasite management programmes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Nematode microbiota represents a potential novel target for parasite control strategies independent of traditional anthelmintic approaches, offering hope for managing anthelmintic-resistant populations
- •Understanding parasite-associated microbiota composition may help identify biological vulnerabilities in nematode survival and transmission that could be exploited therapeutically
- •The distinct microbiome signatures across nematode subfamilies and anatomical sites suggest control strategies may need to be tailored to specific parasite populations and infection locations
Key Findings
- •Equine gastrointestinal nematodes harbour distinct microbiomes dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Verrucomicrobiota, and Actinobacteriota that differ significantly from host faecal microbiota (p=0.007)
- •Nematode microbiomes showed lower alpha diversity richness and distinct beta diversity community structures compared to host microbiota
- •Proteobacteria were consistently enriched in nematodes particularly in the caecum, with nematode-exclusive taxa including Fusobacterium, Mesorhizobium, and Mycoplasma identified
- •Microbial composition varied significantly by gastrointestinal site, nematode subfamily, and sex, indicating ecological specialization