Dataset Information

Toxocara canis-induced changes in host intestinal microbial communities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Toxocara canis is a roundworm that resides in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and causes various pathological changes. The dog's intestinal system consists of a diverse and dynamic bacterial community that has extensive effects on intestinal physiology, immunity and metabolics. In the case of intestinal parasites, interactions with the host intestinal flora are inevitable during the process of parasitism.

Methods

We studied the role of T. canis in regulating the composition and diversity of the intestinal flora of the host by high-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene and various bioinformatics analyses.

Results

The α-diversity analysis showed that Toxocara canis infection resulted in a significant decrease in the abundance and diversity of host intestinal flora. The β-diversity analysis showed that the intestinal flora of infected dogs was similar to that carried by T. canis. Analysis of the microflora composition and differences at the phylum level showed that the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B ratio) increased with T. canis infection. Analysis of species composition and differences at the genus level revealed that the proportion of some of the pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium sensu stricto and Staphylococcus, increased after T. canis infection.

Conclusions

Toxocara canis infection affected the composition and diversity of the flora in the host intestinal tract. These results not only shed light on the potential mechanism of T. canis invasion and long-term survival in the intestinal tract, but also provide a new basis for the development of anthelmintic drugs.

SUBMITTER: Sieng S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10729416 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Toxocara canis-induced changes in host intestinal microbial communities.

Sieng Soben S Chen Ping P Wang Na N Xu Jing-Yun JY Han Qian Q

Parasites & vectors 20231219 1

<h4>Background</h4>Toxocara canis is a roundworm that resides in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and causes various pathological changes. The dog's intestinal system consists of a diverse and dynamic bacterial community that has extensive effects on intestinal physiology, immunity and metabolics. In the case of intestinal parasites, interactions with the host intestinal flora are inevitable during the process of parasitism.<h4>Methods</h4>We studied the role of T. canis in regulating the comp ...[more]

PMID: 38115028

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Somatic migration of Toxocara canis- and T. cati-larvae in humans may cause neurotoxocarosis (NT) when larvae accumulate and persist in the central nervous system (CNS). Host- or parasite-induced immunoregulatory processes contribute to the pathogenesis; however, detailed data on involvement of bioactive lipid mediators, e.g. oxylipins or eico-/docosanoids, which are involved in the complex molecular signalling network during infection and inflammation, are lacking. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:To elucidate if T. canis- and T. cati-induced NT affects the homeostasis of oxylipins during the course of infection, a comprehensive lipidomic profiling in brains (cerebra and cerebella) of experimentally infected C57BL/6J mice was conducted at six different time points post infection (pi) by liquid-chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Only minor changes were detected regarding pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase pathway). In contrast, a significant increase of metabolites resulting from lipoxygenase pathways was observed for both infection groups and brain regions, implicating a predominantly anti-inflammatory driven immune response. This observation was supported by a significantly increased 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE)/9-HODE ratio during the subacute phase of infection, indicating an anti-inflammatory response to neuroinfection. Except for the specialised pro-resolving mediator (SPM) neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), which was detected in mice infected with both pathogens during the subacute phase of infection, no other SPMs were detected. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:The obtained results demonstrate the influence of Toxocara spp. on oxylipins as part of the immune response of the paratenic hosts. Furthermore, this study shows differences in the alteration of the oxylipin composition between T. canis- and T. cati-brain infection. Results contribute to a further understanding of the largely unknown pathogenesis and mechanisms of host-parasite interactions during NT.

Project description:BackgroundNeuroinvasive larvae of the worldwide occurring zoonotic roundworms Toxocara canis and T. cati may induce neurotoxocarosis (NT) in humans, provoking a variety of symptoms including cognitive deficits as well as neurological dysfunctions. An association with neuropsychological disorders has been discussed. Similar symptoms have been described in T. canis-infected mice, whereas data on T. cati-induced NT are rare. Therefore, it was aimed to obtain insights into the impact on neurobehaviour as well as progression of neurological symptoms and behavioural alterations during the course of NT directly comparing T. canis- and T. cati-infected mice as models for human NT.Methodology/principal findingsC57BL/6 mice were orally infected with 2000 embryonated T. canis or T. cati eggs, respectively, the control group received tap water. Mice were screened weekly for neurobehavioural alterations and memory function starting one day prior infection until 97 days post infection (pi; T. canis-infection) and day 118 pi (T. cati-infection, uninfected control). Mostly motoric and neurological parameters were affected in T. canis-infected mice starting day 20 pi with severe progression accompanied by stereotypical circling. In contrast, T. cati-infected mice mostly showed reduced response to sudden sound stimulus (indicator for excitability) and flight behaviour starting day 6 pi. Interestingly, enhanced grooming behaviour was observed exclusively in T. cati-infected mice, indicating a possible role of neurotransmitter dysregulation. Reduced exploratory behaviour and memory impairment was observed in both infection groups with delayed onset and less severe progression in T. cati- compared to T. canis-infected mice.Conclusions/significanceResults highlight the need to consider T. cati beside T. canis as causative agent of human NT. Findings provide valuable hints towards differences in key regulatory mechanisms during T. canis- and T. cati-induced NT, contributing to a comprehensive picture and consequently a broader understanding of NT, which will aid in developing strategies towards prevention in addition to novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Dataset Information

Toxocara canis-induced changes in host intestinal microbial communities.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Toxocara canis-induced changes in host intestinal microbial communities.

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