Parasitism-Induced Changes in Microbial Eukaryotes of Peruvian Alpaca Gastrointestinal Tract
Diana Sanchez,
Celso Zapata,
Yolanda Romero,
Nils H. Flores-Huarco,
Oscar Oros,
Wigoberto Alvarado,
Carlos Quilcate,
Hada M. Guevara-Alvarado,
Richard Estrada,
Pedro Coila
Affiliations
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
Celso Zapata
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, Peru
Yolanda Romero
Instituto de Investigación en Bioinformática y Bioestadistica (BIOINFO), Av. Raúl Ferrero 21, 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
Oscar Oros
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, Peru
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
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
Richard Estrada
Instituto de Investigación en Bioinformática y Bioestadistica (BIOINFO), Av. Raúl Ferrero 21, Lima 15024, Peru
Pedro Coila
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional del Altiplano de Puno, P.O. Box 291, Puno 21001, Peru
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.
