Functional genome and microbiome in blood of goats affected by the gastrointestinal pathogen Haemonchus contortus

Abstract

The Alpine goat Capra aegagrus hircus is parasitized by the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). This relationship results in changes that affect the gene expression of the host, the pest, and the microbiome of both. Hematological parameters indicating genes that are expressed and/or the % Composition of abundant and diverse microbial flora are reflective of infestation. We explored the similarity/dissimilarity between and among blood samples of non-infected, infected, infected zoledronic acid-treated, and infected antibody (anti-γσ T cells) treated wethers under controlled conditions. We identified responses to barber pole worms using blood-based analysis of transcripts and the microbiome. Seven (7) days post-inoculation (dpi) we identified 7,627 genes associated with different treatment types. Across all treatments we identified fewer raw read counts and a reduced diversity in microbial flora on 7 dpi than in 21 dpi wethers. We also identified that there were differences in % Composition of microbial flora known to be associated with inflammation. This study identifies treatment specific genes, and an increase in microflora abundance and diversity as wethers age post infestation. Further, Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes (F/B) ratio reflect metabolic health, based on depression or elevation above thresholds defined by the baseline of non-infected hosts depending on the type of intrusion exhibited by the pest.