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Journal of equine science2019; 30(1); 1-5; doi: 10.1294/jes.30.1

Using next-generation sequencing to determine diversity of horse intestinal worms: identifying the equine ‘nemabiome’.

Abstract: Next-generation sequencing of DNA from nematode eggs has been utilised to give the first account of the equine 'nemabiome'. In all equine faecal samples investigated, multiple species of Strongylidae were detected, ranging from 7.5 (SEM 0.79) with 99+% identity to sequences in the NCBI database to 13.3 (SEM 0.80) with 90+% identity. This range is typical of the number of species described previously in morphological studies using large quantities of digesta per animal. However, the current method is non-invasive; relies on DNA analysis, avoiding the need for specialist microscopy identification; and can be carried out with small samples, providing significant advantages over current methods.
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Publication Date: 2019-04-03 PubMed ID: 30944540PubMed Central: PMC6445754DOI: 10.1294/jes.30.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article presents a study on using next-generation sequencing to investigate the diversity of intestinal worms in horses. The work has led to the first overview of the equine ‘nemabiome’, establishing this new method as a significant improvement over existing ones in terms of invasiveness, sample size and reliance on special microscopy.

Objective and Methodology

The objective of the research was to analyze the diversity of nematodes in the gut of horses using a method based on next-generation sequencing. This technique involves sequencing the DNA of nematode eggs found in equine fecal samples. Such a method was adopted to provide a non-invasive way of studying these parasites and to get around limitations of the traditional methods, including their reliance on large quantities of sample and specialist microscopy for identification.

  • Next-generation sequencing allows for broad scale analysis and accurate identification of species.
  • Using DNA sequencing, the researchers were able to identify multiple species of the Strongylidae family in horse fecal samples.

Results

The research team found several different species of the Strongylidae family in all equine stool samples through the DNA analysis. The counts ranged from 7.5 to 13.3 species. These counts align with previous results obtained through traditional morphological studies that often need large quantities of samples.

  • Instances where the identity of the worms matched 99+% of sequences in the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database occurred with a mean of 7.5 (SEM 0.79) species.
  • When a 90+% match was accepted, the mean number of species identified was a bit higher – 13.3 (SEM 0.80).

Conclusion

The study successfully established next-generation sequencing as an effective and non-invasive method for studying the horse ‘nemabiome’. With DNA analysis, the research bypassed having to gather copious amounts of samples and negated the need for specialist microscopy. The results from this analysis found their methods were consistent with previous studies using morphological data, providing another level of validation to the usefulness of this approach.

Cite This Article

APA
Mitchell CJ, O'Sullivan CM, Pinloche E, Wilkinson T, Morphew RM, McEwan NR. (2019). Using next-generation sequencing to determine diversity of horse intestinal worms: identifying the equine ‘nemabiome’. J Equine Sci, 30(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.30.1

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-5

Researcher Affiliations

Mitchell, Catriona J
  • Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA Wales, U.K.
O'Sullivan, Catherine M
  • Ystwyth Veterinary Group, SY23 3QU Wales, U.K.
Pinloche, Eric
  • Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA Wales, U.K.
Wilkinson, Toby
  • Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA Wales, U.K.
Morphew, Russell M
  • Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA Wales, U.K.
McEwan, Neil R
  • Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth University, SY23 3DA Wales, U.K.
  • School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Garthdee Campus, Robert Gordon University, AB10 7GJ Scotland, U.K.

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