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Sanchez D, Zapata C, Romero Y, Flores-Huarco NH, Oros O, Alvarado W, Quilcate C, Guevara-Alvarado HM, Estrada R, Coila P. Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:187. [PMID: 38398696 PMCID: PMC10890412 DOI: 10.3390/life14020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Alpacas, important genetic resources in the Andean region of Peru, are vulnerable to diarrhea caused by pathogenic parasites such as Eimeria lamae and Giardia sp., which can be fatal, especially in neonates, due to their physiological immaturity and limited adaptability. The study investigated the diversity and abundance of intestinal fungi and protists in alpacas infected with Eimeria lamae and Giardia sp. compared to healthy alpacas. A total of 19 alpacas, aged between one and two months, were included. They were divided into two groups, one with pathological conditions (nine) and the other healthy (ten). Parasitological analyses for the detection of parasites and subsequent molecular analysis were performed on the collected fecal samples. The results revealed a greater diversity and abundance of protists in infected alpacas in comparison with healthy alpacas, while the fungal composition did not show significant changes. Therefore, parasitic infections affect the protist component of the alpaca gut microbiota. Also, it was observed that Blastocystis was identified in all healthy alpacas, serving as a possible marker of the health of the intestinal microbiota; in addition, Prussia and Pichia are beneficial fungi that help control diseases. This groundbreaking study in neonatal alpacas is the first to explore potential changes in the intestinal microbiota during an infectious state, underscoring the importance of further research to comprehend its effects on alpaca health and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Sanchez
- Unidad de Post Grado de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, Peru; (D.S.); (N.H.F.-H.)
| | - Celso Zapata
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, Peru; (C.Z.); (O.O.)
| | - Yolanda Romero
- Instituto de Investigación en Bioinformática y Bioestadistica (BIOINFO), Av. Raúl Ferrero 21, Lima 15024, Peru;
- Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru;
| | - Nils H. Flores-Huarco
- Unidad de Post Grado de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, Peru; (D.S.); (N.H.F.-H.)
| | - Oscar Oros
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, Peru; (C.Z.); (O.O.)
| | - Wigoberto Alvarado
- Facultad de Ingeniería Zootecnista, Agronegocios y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas (UNTRM), Cl. Higos Urco 342, Chachapoyas 01001, Peru; (W.A.); (H.M.G.-A.)
| | - Carlos Quilcate
- Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru;
| | - Hada M. Guevara-Alvarado
- Facultad de Ingeniería Zootecnista, Agronegocios y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas (UNTRM), Cl. Higos Urco 342, Chachapoyas 01001, Peru; (W.A.); (H.M.G.-A.)
| | - Richard Estrada
- Instituto de Investigación en Bioinformática y Bioestadistica (BIOINFO), Av. Raúl Ferrero 21, Lima 15024, Peru;
- Dirección de Desarrollo Tecnológico Agrario, Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru;
| | - Pedro Coila
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, Peru; (C.Z.); (O.O.)
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