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PloS one2021; 16(2); e0246537; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246537

Evaluation of the ocular surface mycobiota in clinically normal horses.

Abstract: The eye is host to myriad bacterial, fungal, and viral organisms that likely influence ocular surface physiology in normal and diseased states. The ocular surface mycobiota of horses has not yet been described using NGS techniques. This study aimed to characterize the ocular surface fungal microbiota (mycobiota) in healthy horses in 2 environmental conditions (stalled versus pasture). Conjunctival swabs of both eyes were obtained from 7 adult stallions stabled in an open-air pavilion and 5 adult mares living on pasture. Genomic DNA was extracted from ocular surface swabs and sequenced using primers that target the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) region of the fungal genome on an Illumina platform. Sequences were processed using Quantitative Insights Into Molecular Ecology (QIIME 2.0) and taxonomy assigned with the Findley et al. 2013 ITS1 database. The most abundant genera identified were Leptosphaerulina (22.7%), unclassified Pleosporaceae (17.3%), Cladosporium (16.2%), Alternaria (9.8%), unclassified Pleosporales (4.4%), unclassified Montagnulaceae (2.9%), Fusarium (2.5%), and Pestalotiopsis (1.4%). Fungal community composition (Jaccard, R = 0.460, p = 0.001) and structure (Bray-Curtis, R = 0.811, p = 0.001) were significantly different between pastured mares and stabled stallions. The ocular surface of pastured mares had significantly increased fungal species richness and diversity compared to stabled stallions (Shannon p = 0.0224, Chao1 p = 0.0118, Observed OTUs p = 0.0241). Relative abundances of Aspergillus (p = 0.005) and Alternaria spp. (p = 0.002) were significantly increased in the mycobiota of pastured mares. This is the first report to describe the mycobiota of the equine ocular surface. Environmental factors such as housing influence the composition, structure, and richness of the equine ocular surface mycobiota.
Publication Date: 2021-02-04 PubMed ID: 33539431PubMed Central: PMC7861450DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246537Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigated and characterized the fungal microbiota (or mycobiota) present on the surface of healthy horse eyes, and showed differences in species complexity and diversity depending on whether the horses were pasture-raised or stabled.

Study Design and Methodology

In the study, the researchers collected conjunctival swabs from both eyes of seven adult stallions housed in an open-air pavilion and five adult mares living on pasture. They then extracted genomic DNA from these swabs and sequenced them using primers specifically designed to target a certain region of the fungal genome, the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1).
The following software and database were used for processing the sequences and assigning taxonomy:

  • Quantitative Insights Into Molecular Ecology (QIIME 2.0)
  • The Findley et al. 2013 ITS1 database

Results of the Study

The sequencing process led to the identification of several fungal genera, with Leptosphaerulina, unclassified Pleosporaceae, Cladosporium, Alternaria being the most abundant. The results showcased significant differences in the fungal community composition and structure between the pasture-raised mares and the stabled stallions. Additionally, pastured mares had greater fungal species richness and diversity on the surface of their eyes compared to stabled stallions. The relative abundances of Aspergillus and Alternaria species were significantly higher in the mycobiota of pastured mares.

Significance of the Study

This is the first study to describe the mycobiota (fungal microbiota) present on the surface of horse eyes (equine ocular surface). The results suggest that environmental factors such as the horse’s living conditions (pasture versus stable) significantly influence the composition, structure, and complexity of the horse’s ocular surface mycobiota. This can help in understanding the eye health of horses and how it can be influenced by their environment.

Cite This Article

APA
Walsh ML, Meason-Smith C, Arnold C, Suchodolski JS, Scott EM. (2021). Evaluation of the ocular surface mycobiota in clinically normal horses. PLoS One, 16(2), e0246537. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246537

Publication

ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Pages: e0246537
PII: e0246537

Researcher Affiliations

Walsh, Mary L
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
Meason-Smith, Courtney
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
Arnold, Carolyn
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
Suchodolski, Jan S
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
Scott, Erin M
  • Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.

MeSH Terms

  • Alternaria / isolation & purification
  • Animals
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification
  • Cladosporium / isolation & purification
  • Eye / microbiology
  • Female
  • Fusarium / isolation & purification
  • Horses / microbiology
  • Male
  • Pestalotiopsis / isolation & purification

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Julien ME, Shih JB, Correa Lopes B, Vallone LV, Suchodolski JS, Pilla R, Scott EM. Alterations of the bacterial ocular surface microbiome are found in both eyes of horses with unilateral ulcerative keratitis.. PLoS One 2023;18(9):e0291028.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291028pubmed: 37682941google scholar: lookup
  2. Santibáñez R, Lara F, Barros TM, Mardones E, Cuadra F, Thomson P. Ocular Microbiome in a Group of Clinically Healthy Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Apr 7;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12080943pubmed: 35454190google scholar: lookup