Abstract
As a common parasitic disease in animals, coccidiosis substantially affects the health of the host, even in the absence of clinical symptoms and intestinal tract colonization. Gut microbiota is an important part of organisms and is closely related to the parasite and host. Parasitic infections often have adverse effects on the host, and their pathogenic effects are related to the parasite species, parasitic site and host-parasite interactions. Coccidia-microbiota-host interactions represent a complex network in which changes in one link may affect the other two factors. Furthermore, coccidia-microbiota interactions are not well understood and require further research. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which coccidia interact directly or indirectly with the gut microbiota and the effects on the host. Understanding the mechanisms underlying coccidia-microbiota-host interactions is important to identify new probiotic strategies for the prevention and control of coccidiosis.
Highlights
Coccidiosis is a self-limiting protozoal disease mainly caused by coccidia of the genus Eimeria (Kemp et al, 2013)
Changes in the gut microbiota caused by coccidial infection provide an environment that is conducive for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria
The immune system regulates the structure of the intestinal microbiota through a variety of antimicrobial peptides secreted by intestinal epithelial cells, and defensins effectively kill several gram-positive and -negative bacteria, including C. albicans, E. coli, and Enterococcus, thereby restoring the normal microbial community composition
Summary
Coccidiosis is a self-limiting protozoal disease mainly caused by coccidia of the genus Eimeria (Kemp et al, 2013). Eimeria species inhibit host immune responses to promote their invasion and colonization in hosts through negatively regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines (Zhao et al, 2018), thereby altering the gut microbiota. The specific mechanism of action by which intestinal IgA provides protection against coccidial infection remains unknown, it is hypothesized that IgA reduces the development of sporozoites or merozoites and prevents host cell invasion (Yun et al, 2000).
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