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Nasal bacterial microbiota during an outbreak of equine herpesvirus 1 at a farm in southern Ontario.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the nasal bacterial microbiota of healthy horses and horses infected with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). The nasal bacterial microbiota of 10 horses infected with EHV-1 and 11 control horses from a farm experiencing an outbreak was characterized using the Illumina MiSeq platform targeting the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The nasal bacterial microbiota of healthy horses and EHV-1 horses was significantly different in community membership and structure. Horses shedding EHV-1 had lower bacterial richness ( = 0.002), evenness ( = 0.008), and diversity ( = 0.026) than healthy horses. Healthy horses had a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, but lower Proteobacteria than horses with EHV-1 ( < 0.05). This study provides the basis for generating hypotheses and investigations on the role of bacterial-viral interactions in the health and diseases of adult horses. L’objectif de cette étude était d’étudier le microbiote bactérien nasal de chevaux sains et de chevaux infectés par l’herpèsvirus équin 1 (EHV-1). Le microbiote bactérien nasal de 10 chevaux infectés par l’EHV-1 et de 11 chevaux témoins d’une ferme ayant subi une épidémie a été caractérisé à l’aide de la plate-forme Illumina MiSeq ciblant la région V4 du gène de l’ARN ribosomal 16S. Le microbiote bactérien nasal des chevaux sains et des chevaux EHV-1 était significativement différent dans l’appartenance et la structure de la communauté. Les chevaux excrétant l’EHV-1 avaient une richesse bactérienne ( = 0,002), une régularité ( = 0,008) et une diversité ( = 0,026) plus faibles que les chevaux en bonne santé. Les chevaux en bonne santé avaient une abondance relative plus élevée de Firmicutes et de Bacteroidetes, mais moins de Protéobactéries que les chevaux avec EHV-1 ( < 0,05). Cette étude fournit la base pour générer des hypothèses et des investigations sur le rôle des interactions bactériennes-virales dans la santé et les maladies des chevaux adultes.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).
Publication Date: 2021-01-05 PubMed ID: 33390647PubMed Central: PMC7747660
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research is a study of the nasal bacterial microbiota in healthy horses as compared to horses infected with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), revealing significant differences in the bacterial community structure and membership within the nasal microbiota of the two groups.

Objective of the Study

The study aimed to examine the nasal bacterial microbiota in healthy horses and those infected with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). During an EHV-1 outbreak on a farm in southern Ontario, the researchers compared:

  • The nasal bacterial microbiota of 10 EHV-1-infected horses
  • 11 control horses not infected with EHV-1

This comparison was done with the use of the Illumina MiSeq platform, specifically targeting the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The purpose was to understand the differences in the bacterial diversity, richness, and evenness between the two groups of horses.

Major Findings

The study discovered notable differences in the nasal bacterial microbiota between healthy and EHV-1-infected horses. Key findings include:

  • Distinction in bacterial community membership and structure: The two groups of horses displayed significant differences with respect to bacterial structure and variety in their nasal microbiota.
  • Lower bacterial richness, evenness, and diversity in EHV-1-infected horses: Statistics showed that infected horses exhibited reduced bacterial richness (0.002), evenness (0.008), and diversity (0.026) in comparison to healthy horses.
  • Differences in bacterial abundance: Healthy horses showed a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes bacteria but lower Proteobacteria than horses infected with EHV-1.

Implications of the Findings

The study provides a foundation for generating theories and further research into the role of bacterial-viral interactions in the health and diseases of adult horses. By uncovering the differences in nasal bacterial microbiota between healthy and EHV-1-infected horses, the research offers new insights that could be valuable in control and prevention strategies for EHV-1 and possibly other diseases. Understanding the role of nasal microbiota could have significant implications for veterinary medicine and animal husbandry.

Cite This Article

APA
Gomez DE, Arroyo LG, Lillie B, Weese JS. (2021). Nasal bacterial microbiota during an outbreak of equine herpesvirus 1 at a farm in southern Ontario. Can J Vet Res, 85(1), 3-11.

Publication

ISSN: 1928-9022
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 85
Issue: 1
Pages: 3-11

Researcher Affiliations

Gomez, Diego E
  • Department of Clinical Studies (Gomez, Arroyo) and Department of Pathobiology (Lillie, Weese), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.
Arroyo, Luis G
  • Department of Clinical Studies (Gomez, Arroyo) and Department of Pathobiology (Lillie, Weese), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.
Lillie, Brandon
  • Department of Clinical Studies (Gomez, Arroyo) and Department of Pathobiology (Lillie, Weese), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.
Weese, J Scott
  • Department of Clinical Studies (Gomez, Arroyo) and Department of Pathobiology (Lillie, Weese), Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Farms
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Nose / microbiology
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Virus Shedding

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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