Alterations of microbiota and metabolites in the feces of calves with diarrhea associated with rotavirus and coronavirus infections

Microbiome and metabolome alterations in calves with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and dyspeptic diarrhea

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and dyspeptic diarrhea are significant health concerns in calves, leading to substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. This study investigated the impact of EHEC infection and dyspeptic diarrhea on calf health, focusing on blood parameters, fecal microbiota, and metabolite profiles. Thirty-two holstein calves were divided into three groups: healthy group (C Group), EHEC-infected group (E Group), and indigestion-induced diarrhea group (I Group). Significant alterations in diarrheic calves were noted in peripheral blood parameters, including hematological, biochemical, and blood gas indices. And then fecal microbiota analysis revealed decreased diversity, with reduced Actinobacteria and increased Proteobacteria and Fusobacteriota in E and I group. Metabolomic profiling showed significant reductions in organic acids and lipids in diarrheic calves. The study concludes that microbial and metabolic alterations play critical roles in the pathogenesis of EHEC- and indigestion-induced diarrhea, with Scorzoside identified as a potential biomarker for differentiating healthy calves from those with diarrhea. These findings provide insights for designing targeted interventions to enhance gut health and reduce disease burden in the livestock.

Changes in the gut microbiome due to diarrhea in neonatal Korean indigenous calves

Studies on gut microbiome changes in neonatal Korean indigenous calves with diarrhea are rare. In this study, 14 normal calves and 11 calves with diarrhea were selected from Korean indigenous calves up to 30 days of age and classified into three groups at 10-day intervals (1-10, 11-20, and 21-30 days). Feces from 25 calves were collected, and the diversity, similarity, structure, and correlation of the gut microbiome were analyzed. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were predominant in the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome of the calves regardless of the presence of diarrhea. However, Proteobacteria increased and Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria decreased in calves with diarrhea. In addition, calves with diarrhea showed a significant decrease in the diversity of the gut microbiome, especially for anaerobic microorganisms Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Gemmiger formicilis, and Collinsella aerofaciens. The microbial communities in calves with diarrhea and normal calves were distinct. By analyzing the microorganisms that showed correlation with diarrhea and age using linear discriminant analysis effect size, at the genus level, Prevotella and Lachnospiraceae_uc were significantly related in the normal (11-20 days) group whereas Enterobacterales, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia, and Proteobacteria were significantly associated with diarrhea in the 11-20 days group. Futhermore, the normal (21-30 days) group showed significant correlation with Blautia, Provotellaceae, Muribaculaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Catenella, whereas the diarrhea (21-30 days) group showed significant correlation with Dorea. The microorganisms associated with diarrhea in calves were mainly known as harmful microorganisms, we confirmed that there is a relationship between the increase in harmful bacteria and diarrhea. These results show that diarrhea significantly affects the gut microbiome of Korean indigenous calves. The changes in the gut microbiome of Korean indigenous calves observed in this study could be helpful in predicting and managing diarrhea calves, and furthermore, in establishing preventive measures for calf diarrhea through management of gut microbiome.

16S rRNA and metabolomics reveal the key microbes and key metabolites that regulate diarrhea in Holstein male calves

Introduction

Diarrhea is a prevalent disease among calves, which significantly hinders their growth and development, thereby impacting farm productivity and revenue. This study aimed to investigate the impact of diarrhea on calf growth.

Methods

Holstein male calves with similar birth weight (39.5 ± 4.2 kg) were included in this study, and key parameters such as fecal score, diarrhea incidence, and growth performance from birth to weaning were measured. Rectal fecal samples from both diarrheic (n = 24) and healthy calves (n = 24) aged 1-4 weeks were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics.

Results

Our findings indicated a high prevalence of diarrhea among calves between 1-4 weeks of age on pasture, which led to a marked decrease in growth performance, including average daily gain. At the genus level, the relative abundance of GCA-900066575 in one-week-old diarrheic calves was significantly higher; Escherichia-Shigella and Pseudoflavonifractor were more abundant in two-week-old calves; while Tyzzerella and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-004 increased significantly in four-week-old calves, and correlated negatively with average daily gain, suggesting that these bacteria may promote the occurrence of diarrhea. Correlation analysis revealed that fecal metabolites such as arachidonic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, oleic acid, choline, creatinine, and others were significantly negatively correlated with calf growth performance and were significantly increased in diarrheic calves. WGNCA identified that dark magenta module metabolites were significantly associated with diarrhea traits from 1-4 weeks. Thirteen metabolites, including glycerophospholipids (such as 1-stearoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), fatty acids (such as dodecanoic acid), and arachidonic acid, were positively correlated with GCA-900066575, Escherichia-shigella, Tyzzerella, and Clostridium_butyricum, but negatively correlated with UBA1819, Lachnoclostridium_sp_YL32, and Clostridium_scindens.

Discussion

Therefore, GCA-900066575, Escherichia-shigella, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-004, and Tyzzerella are likely key bacterial genera causing diarrhea in calves, while arachidonic acid, glycerol phospholipids, and fatty acids are critical metabolites associated with this condition. These alterations in the fecal microbiota and metabolite composition were found to be the principal contributors to growth retardation in diarrheic calves.

Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Kidney Disease and Hypertension Against Microplastics Exposure in Male Juvenile Rats

Global pollution stems from the degradation of plastic waste, leading to the generation of microplastics (MPs). While environmental pollutants increase the risk of developing hypertension and kidney disease, the effects of MP exposure on these conditions in children remain unclear. Resveratrol, a phenolic compound known for its antihypertensive and renoprotective properties, has gained attention as a potential nutraceutical. This study investigates the effects of resveratrol on kidney disease and hypertension induced by MP exposure in a juvenile rat model. Three-week-old male Sprague--Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8 per group): a control group, a low-dose MP group (1 mg/L), a high-dose MP group (10 mg/L), and a high-dose MP group receiving resveratrol (50 mg/L). By 9 weeks of age, MP exposure resulted in elevated blood pressure and increased creatinine levels, both of which were mitigated by resveratrol treatment. The hypertension and kidney damage induced by high-dose MP exposure were linked to oxidative stress, which resveratrol effectively prevented. Additionally, resveratrol's protective effects against hypertension and kidney damage were associated with increased acetic acid levels, reduced renal expression of Olfr78, and decreased expression of various components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Low- and high-dose MP exposure, as well as resveratrol treatment, differentially influence gut microbiota composition. Our findings suggest that targeting oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and the RAS through resveratrol holds therapeutic potential for preventing kidney disease and hypertension associated with MP exposure. However, further research is needed to translate these results into clinical applications.

Fecal microbiota of diarrheic calves: Before, during, and after recovering from disease

BACKGROUND

It is unknown if gastrointestinal dysbiosis in diarrheic calves causes disease or is a consequence of the disease.

OBJECTIVES

Describe the fecal microbiota of calves before, during, and after recovering from diarrhea.

ANIMALS

Fifteen female Holstein calves of 0 to 21 days old from a single farm. Seven calves remained healthy throughout the study, and 8 developed diarrhea on Day 14.

METHODS

Longitudinal cohort study. Microbiota composition was characterized by amplifying the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene.

RESULTS

Diversity (Shannon index) increased with age in healthy and diarrheic calves from Day 3 to 21, but diarrheic calves had a lower diversity on the day diarrhea was first observed (Day 14). By Day 21, diversity increased in calves that recovered from diarrhea and was not significantly different from that of their healthy counterparts (P > .05). Weighted UniFrac distance showed significant differences in the fecal microbiota between diarrheic and healthy calves at Day 14 of age (PERMANOVA, P < .05), but not before or after diarrhea (PERMANOVA, P > .05). Lactobacillus, Clostridium Sensu Stricto 1, and Collinsella were differentially abundant on Day 10 in calves that developed diarrhea on Day 14 (P < .05).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

The fecal microbiota of healthy and diarrheic calves evolved similarly during the first 10 days of age but differed significantly on the day of onset of diarrhea. Enriching Lactobacillus, Clostridium Sensu Stricto 1, and Collinsella before diarrhea onset could have been contributed to the development of diarrhea.

In Vitro Evaluation of Chito-Oligosaccharides on Disappearance Rate of Nutrients, Rumen Fermentation Parameters, and Micro-Flora of Beef Cattle

The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) meal levels on the nutrient disappearance rate, rumen fermentation, and microflora of beef cattle in vitro. A total of 24 fermentation tanks were randomly divided into four treatments containing 0% COS (CON), 0.02% COS, 0.04% COS, and 0.08% COS for an 8-day experiment period, with each treatment comprising six replicates. The disappear rates of DM, CP, EE, and total gas production were quadratically increased with increasing COS levels. The disappear rates of DM, CP, EE, and ADF were greatest, whereas the total gas production was lowest in the 0.08% COS group. The pH, NH3-N, MCP, the content of propionate, isobutyrate, butyrate, valerate, and the A/P were quadratically increased with increasing COS levels, while the A/P were linearly decreased. The pH, MCP, and the content of propionate, and butyrate were highest, whereas the NH3-N and the content of acetate, isobutyrate, valerate, and the A/P were lowest in the 0.08% COS group. Microbiomics analysis showed that the rumen microbial diversity was not altered between the CON and the 0.08% COS group. However, the relative abundance of Methanosphaera, Ruminococcus, Endomicrobium, and Eubacterium groups was increased, and the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria Dorea and Escherichia-Shigella showed a decrease in the 0.08% COS group. Overall, the 0.08% COS was the most effective among the three addition levels, resulting in an increase in the disappearance rate of in vitro fermented nutrients and improvements in rumen fermentation indexes and microbial communities. This, in turn, led to the maintenance of rumen health.

Health-associated changes of the fecal microbiota in dairy heifer calves during the pre-weaning period

Introduction

Neonatal calf diarrhea is a multifactorial condition that occurs in early life when calves are particularly susceptible to enteric infection and dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Good calf health is dependent on successful passive transfer of immunity from the dam through colostrum. There are limited studies on the developing gut microbiota from birth to weaning in calves.

Methodology

Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of immune status and diarrheal incidence on the development of the fecal microbiota in Jersey (n = 22) and Holstein (n = 29) heifer calves throughout the pre-weaning period. Calves were hand-fed a colostrum volume equivalent to 8.5% of their birthweight, from either the calf's dam (n = 28) or re-heated mixed colostrum (≤2 cows, ≤1d; n = 23) within 2 h of birth. All calves were clinically assessed using a modified Wisconsin-Madison calf health scoring system and rectal temperature at day (d) 0, d7, d21, or disease manifestation (DM) and weaning (d83). Weights were recorded at d0, d21, and d83. Calf blood samples were collected at d7 for the determination of calf serum IgG (sIgG). Fecal samples were obtained at d7, d21/DM [mean d22 (SE 0.70)], and at weaning for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the fecal microbiota. Data were processed in R using DADA2; taxonomy was assigned using the SILVA database and further analyzed using Phyloseq and MaAsLin 2.

Results and discussion

Significant amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and calf performance data underwent a Spearman rank-order correlation test. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of colostrum source or calf breed on serum total protein. An effect of calf breed (p < 0.05) was observed on sIgG concentrations such that Holstein calves had 6.49 (SE 2.99) mg/ml higher sIgG than Jersey calves. Colostrum source and calf breed had no effect (p > 0.05) on health status or the alpha diversity of the fecal microbiota. There was a relationship between health status and time interaction (p < 0.001), whereby alpha diversity increased with time; however, diarrheic calves had reduced microbial diversity at DM. No difference (p > 0.05) in beta diversity of the microbiota was detected at d7 or d83. At the genus level, 33 ASVs were associated (adj.p < 0.05) with health status over the pre-weaning period.

Impact of Limosilactobacillus fermentum probiotic treatment on gut microbiota composition in sahiwal calves with rotavirus diarrhea: A 16S metagenomic analysis study"

BACKGROUND

Diarrhea poses a major threat to bovine calves leading to mortality and economic losses. Among the causes of calf diarrhea, bovine rotavirus is a major etiological agent and may result in dysbiosis of gut microbiota. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum (Accession No.OR504458) on the microbial composition of rotavirus-infected calves using 16S metagenomic analysis technique. Screening of rotavirus infection in calves below one month of age was done through clinical signs and Reverse Transcriptase PCR. The healthy calves (n = 10) were taken as control while the infected calves (n = 10) before treatment was designated as diarrheal group were treated with Probiotic for 5 days. All the calves were screened for the presence of rotavirus infection on each day and fecal scoring was done to assess the fecal consistency. Infected calves after treatment were designated as recovered group. Fecal samples from healthy, recovered and diarrheal (infected calves before sampling) were processed for DNA extraction while four samples from each group were processed for 16S metagenomic analysis using Illumina sequencing technique and analyzed via QIIME 2.

RESULTS

The results show that Firmicutes were more abundant in the healthy and recovered group than in the diarrheal group. At the same time Proteobacteria was higher in abundance in the diarrheal group. Order Oscillospirales dominated healthy and recovered calves and Enterobacterials dominated the diarrheal group. Alpha diversity indices show that diversity indices based on richness were higher in the healthy group and lower in the diarrheal group while a mixed pattern of clustering between diarrheal and recovered groups samples in PCA plots based on beta diversity indices was observed.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that probiotic Limosilactobacillus Fermentum N-30 ameliorate the dysbiosis caused by rotavirus diarrhea and may be used to prevent diarrhea in pre-weaned calves after further exploration.