Comparison of the fecal bacterial microbiota of healthy and diarrheic foals at two and four weeks of life

Abstract

BackgroundDiarrhea in foals affects up to 60% of foals during the first six months of life. The effect of diarrhea on the fecal bacterial microbiota in foals has not been investigated. Little is known on the fecal bacterial microbial richness and diversity of foals at a young age. The objective was to compare the fecal bacterial microbiota of healthy foals to foals with diarrhea at two and four weeks of life.MethodsFecal samples were collected from foals (n = 20) at 1–14 (T1) and 15–28 (T2) days of age and analyzed using high throughput sequencing. Differences in relative abundance of bacterial taxa, alpha diversity and beta diversity indices were assessed between age-matched foals with diarrhea (n = 9) and healthy foals (n = 11), and between time points.ResultsDifferences in microbial community composition based on time point and health status were observed on all taxonomic levels. Of 117 enriched species in healthy foals at T2, 50 (48%) were Lachnospiraceae or Ruminococcaceae. The Chao richness index was increased in healthy foals at T2 compared to T1 (p = 0.02). Foals with diarrhea had a significantly lower richness index than non-diarrheic foals at T2 (p = 0.04). Diarrhea had an inconsistent effect, while time point had a consistent effect on microbial community structure.ConclusionsPreventative and therapeutic measures for diarrhea should focus on maintaining bacterial microbiota richness. Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were underrepresented in foals with diarrhea. These should be evaluated further as potential therapeutic options.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1064-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The gut microbiome of horses: current research on equine enteral microbiota and future perspectives

“…Interestingly, similar observations are available for the humans, since indigenous populations seem to have a much broader spectrum of microbiota compared with industrialized countries [104]s horses, seem to be significantly enriched in case of diarrhea and colitis [25,121]. Additionally, foals with diarrhea have shown a less rich microbiome composition in comparison with healthy foals together with decreased abundances for Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae [122].…”

Effects of transport stress on fecal microbiota in healthy donkeys

“…In addition to the marked decrease in SCFAs-producing bacteria, significantly low rate of Previous studies have found that potential confounding factors, such as age [33], gender [36], diets [37] and environmental change [38] could impact the bacterial microbiota of differnet body sites.…”

“…These compounds are metabolized by enterocytes and have a beneficial role against inflammation in the premature intestine, alter the microbiota, and increase the expression of antiinflammatory cytokines[32]. Streptococcus is an enriched taxon according to LEfSe in the healthy horses[33]. Streptococcus and Lactococcus are negatively correlated with inflammatory parameters (TNF-α, LPS, and H 2 O 2 yield)[34].…”

Beeinflussung der equinen Mikrobiota durch Fütterung und Probiotika: aktueller Stand der Forschung und rechtliche Grundlagen

“…Dadurch kommt es zu einem Anstieg der Laktatund SCFA-Konzentration sowie zum Abfall des pH-Werts im Dickdarmchymus [25] [32]. Änderungen in der Zusammensetzung dieser komplexen Mikrobiota werden auch bei Erkrankungen wie Kolik [79], Hufrehe [72], Kolitis [9], Grass Sickness [47] und Durchfall [68] beobachtet. Nach jetzigem Forschungsstand ist jedoch unklar, ob diese Veränderungen die Ursache der auftretenden Erkrankung sind oder sich infolge von Schmerz, Stress und Veränderungen der Darmmotilität entwickeln, die mit den beschriebenen Erkrankungen einhergehen [12].…”

“…Die täglich frisch angerührte Kotsuspension sollte 3 Tage lang appliziert werden[56].FazitDie Analyse von Kotproben ermöglicht nur Aussagen über den distalen Abschnitt des Dickdarms beim Pferd[18][42]. Untersuchungen zufolge kommen Vertreter der Bakterienklasse Clostridia, die die größte Bakterienklasse im Dickdarm darstellt, häufiger bei gesunden als bei kranken Pferden vor[9][68]. Hier könnte Potenzial für die Nutzung bestimmter Clostridien-Stämme als Probiotikum liegen.…”