Evaluation of the ocular surface mycobiota in clinically normal horses.
- Journal Article
Summary
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
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
- 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
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- 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.
- 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).