Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract
Alpacas, important genetic resources in the Andean region of Peru, are vulnerable to diarrhea caused by pathogenic parasites such as <i>Eimeria lamae</i> and <i>Giardia</i> sp., which can be fatal, especially in neonates, due to their physiological immaturity and limited adap...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/2/187 |
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| author | Diana Sanchez Celso Zapata Yolanda Romero Nils H. Flores-Huarco Oscar Oros Wigoberto Alvarado Carlos Quilcate Hada M. Guevara-Alvarado Richard Estrada Pedro Coila |
| author_facet | Diana Sanchez Celso Zapata Yolanda Romero Nils H. Flores-Huarco Oscar Oros Wigoberto Alvarado Carlos Quilcate Hada M. Guevara-Alvarado Richard Estrada Pedro Coila |
| author_sort | Diana Sanchez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Alpacas, important genetic resources in the Andean region of Peru, are vulnerable to diarrhea caused by pathogenic parasites such as <i>Eimeria lamae</i> and <i>Giardia</i> sp., which can be fatal, especially in neonates, due to their physiological immaturity and limited adaptability. The study investigated the diversity and abundance of intestinal fungi and protists in alpacas infected with <i>Eimeria lamae</i> and <i>Giardia</i> sp. compared to healthy alpacas. A total of 19 alpacas, aged between one and two months, were included. They were divided into two groups, one with pathological conditions (nine) and the other healthy (ten). Parasitological analyses for the detection of parasites and subsequent molecular analysis were performed on the collected fecal samples. The results revealed a greater diversity and abundance of protists in infected alpacas in comparison with healthy alpacas, while the fungal composition did not show significant changes. Therefore, parasitic infections affect the protist component of the alpaca gut microbiota. Also, it was observed that <i>Blastocystis</i> was identified in all healthy alpacas, serving as a possible marker of the health of the intestinal microbiota; in addition, <i>Prussia</i> and <i>Pichia</i> are beneficial fungi that help control diseases. This groundbreaking study in neonatal alpacas is the first to explore potential changes in the intestinal microbiota during an infectious state, underscoring the importance of further research to comprehend its effects on alpaca health and immune responses. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:24:55Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:24:55Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-8cf0fb995c0b41f686744ac3cdebf8db2024-02-23T15:24:33ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292024-01-0114218710.3390/life14020187Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal TractDiana Sanchez0Celso Zapata1Yolanda Romero2Nils H. Flores-Huarco3Oscar Oros4Wigoberto Alvarado5Carlos Quilcate6Hada M. Guevara-Alvarado7Richard Estrada8Pedro Coila9Unidad de Post Grado de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, PeruFacultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, PeruInstituto de Investigación en Bioinformática y Bioestadistica (BIOINFO), Av. Raúl Ferrero 21, Lima 15024, PeruUnidad de Post Grado de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, PeruFacultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, PeruFacultad de Ingeniería Zootecnista, Agronegocios y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas (UNTRM), Cl. Higos Urco 342, Chachapoyas 01001, PeruDirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, PeruFacultad de Ingeniería Zootecnista, Agronegocios y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas (UNTRM), Cl. Higos Urco 342, Chachapoyas 01001, PeruInstituto de Investigación en Bioinformática y Bioestadistica (BIOINFO), Av. Raúl Ferrero 21, Lima 15024, PeruFacultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, PeruAlpacas, important genetic resources in the Andean region of Peru, are vulnerable to diarrhea caused by pathogenic parasites such as <i>Eimeria lamae</i> and <i>Giardia</i> sp., which can be fatal, especially in neonates, due to their physiological immaturity and limited adaptability. The study investigated the diversity and abundance of intestinal fungi and protists in alpacas infected with <i>Eimeria lamae</i> and <i>Giardia</i> sp. compared to healthy alpacas. A total of 19 alpacas, aged between one and two months, were included. They were divided into two groups, one with pathological conditions (nine) and the other healthy (ten). Parasitological analyses for the detection of parasites and subsequent molecular analysis were performed on the collected fecal samples. The results revealed a greater diversity and abundance of protists in infected alpacas in comparison with healthy alpacas, while the fungal composition did not show significant changes. Therefore, parasitic infections affect the protist component of the alpaca gut microbiota. Also, it was observed that <i>Blastocystis</i> was identified in all healthy alpacas, serving as a possible marker of the health of the intestinal microbiota; in addition, <i>Prussia</i> and <i>Pichia</i> are beneficial fungi that help control diseases. This groundbreaking study in neonatal alpacas is the first to explore potential changes in the intestinal microbiota during an infectious state, underscoring the importance of further research to comprehend its effects on alpaca health and immune responses.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/2/187alpacasmetabarcodingmicrobiota diversityparasitesbiomarkersNGS |
| spellingShingle | Diana Sanchez Celso Zapata Yolanda Romero Nils H. Flores-Huarco Oscar Oros Wigoberto Alvarado Carlos Quilcate Hada M. Guevara-Alvarado Richard Estrada Pedro Coila Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract Life alpacas metabarcoding microbiota diversity parasites biomarkers NGS |
| title | Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract |
| title_full | Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract |
| title_fullStr | Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract |
| title_full_unstemmed | Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract |
| title_short | Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract |
| title_sort | parasitism induced changes in microbial eukaryotes of peruvian alpaca gastrointestinal tract |
| topic | alpacas metabarcoding microbiota diversity parasites biomarkers NGS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/2/187 |
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