Abstract
Simple SummaryThere is increasing evidence for the importance of gut bacteria in animal health and disease. This is particularly relevant for gastrointestinal infections, such as parasitic worms, which share a niche with gut bacteria. Parasitic worms are highly prevalent in domestic horses and are a significant cause of disease in this population. This commentary explores the complex relationships between the most common parasitic worm in horses (cyathostomins) and gut bacteria, based on recent studies in horses and other species. We propose novel theories and avenues for research that harness these relationships and have the potential to improve control of parasitic worms, and overall equine health, in the future.The importance of the gut microbiome for host health has been the subject of intense research over the last decade. In particular, there is overwhelming evidence for the influence of resident microbiota on gut mucosal and systemic immunity; with significant implications for the outcome of gastrointestinal (GI) infections, such as parasitic helminths. The horse is a species that relies heavily on its gut microbiota for GI and overall health, and disturbances in this complex ecosystem are often associated with life-threatening disease. In turn, nearly all horses harbour parasitic helminths from a young age, the most prevalent of which are the small strongyles, or cyathostomins. Research describing the relationship between gut microbiota and cyathostomin infection is in its infancy, however, to date there is evidence of meaningful interactions between these two groups of organisms which not only influence the outcome of cyathostomin infection but have long term consequences for equine host health. Here, we describe these interactions alongside supportive evidence from other species and suggest novel theories and avenues for research which have the potential to revolutionize our approach to cyathostomin prevention and control in the future.
Highlights
The importance of the human gut microbiome in health and disease has achieved significant prominence over the last decade, in parallel with the technological advances that have enabled cost-effective and accurate metagenomic analysis. Microbiome modulatory treatments, such as faecal microbial transplants (FMTs), are being used to treat certain conditions in humans, e.g., Clostridium difficile infection [1,2]; and further treatments are in the pipeline
Physiologically distinct from humans, horses suffer from many analogous diseases in which the gut microbiome plays a role; for example, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [3,4], equine metabolic disease (EMS)
In order to accelerate progress in this complex field, this review presents a synthesis of what is currently known about the gut microbiota in equids, in conjunction with how the gut microbiome might be influenced by, and interact with, resident cyathostomin populations
Summary
The importance of the human gut microbiome in health and disease has achieved significant prominence over the last decade, in parallel with the technological advances that have enabled cost-effective and accurate metagenomic analysis. Microbiome modulatory treatments, such as faecal microbial transplants (FMTs), are being used to treat certain conditions in humans, e.g., Clostridium difficile infection [1,2]; and further treatments are in the pipeline. Frequent use of anthelmintics has resulted in the emergence of widespread anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomin populations globally, which is an increasing threat to the sustainable control of these parasites The impact of this approach on overall gut health has not been studied systemically. We propose that the understanding of acute and chronic inflammatory states in horses, in which gut microbiota are implicated, may improve approaches to managing overall equine health in future
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