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Eliminating organisms against Treponema hyodysenteriae in the gut of mice
Abstract:
Ta:CF#1 mice lost their high susceptibility to Treponema hyodysenteriae infection after being mingled with Slc:ICR mice which had no susceptibility to the infection. Ta:CF#1 mice also lost susceptibility to the infection after being treated orally with fecal suspensions from Slc:ICR mice; treatment with heated (70 degrees C, 15 min) or filtered (pore size 0.2 micron) fecal suspensions did not cause a loss of susceptibility. Furthermore, even after the infection had established, Ta:CF#1 mice became free from T. hyodysenteriae and cecal lesions by oral treatment with the fecal suspensions. When Slc:ICR mice were treated with spectinomycin throughout the experiment, they became susceptible to the infection. These studies indicate that there exist eliminating organisms against T. hyodysenteriae in the gut of mice.
Insights
Gut microbes can protect mice from Treponema hyodysenteriae infection. Oral fecal transplants from resistant mice eliminated the pathogen and lesions in susceptible mice, indicating protective organisms exist in the gut.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Treponema hyodysenteriae causes swine dysentery, a significant enteric disease.
- Susceptibility to T. hyodysenteriae infection varies among mouse strains.
- The gut microbiome's role in modulating host susceptibility to enteric pathogens is increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective mechanisms conferred by Slc:ICR mice against Treponema hyodysenteriae infection.
- To identify the factors within the gut of Slc:ICR mice responsible for eliminating T. hyodysenteriae.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of fecal microbiota transplantation in treating established T. hyodysenteriae infections.
Main Methods:
- Co-housing of susceptible Ta:CF#1 mice with resistant Slc:ICR mice.
- Oral administration of fecal suspensions (unheated, heated, and filtered) from Slc:ICR mice to Ta:CF#1 mice.
- Treatment of established T. hyodysenteriae infections in Ta:CF#1 mice with fecal suspensions.
- Antibiotic (spectinomycin) treatment of Slc:ICR mice to assess their susceptibility.
Main Results:
- Ta:CF#1 mice co-housed with Slc:ICR mice lost susceptibility to T. hyodysenteriae.
- Oral administration of unheated fecal suspensions from Slc:ICR mice conferred resistance to Ta:CF#1 mice.
- Heated or filtered fecal suspensions did not confer resistance, suggesting the involvement of viable microorganisms.
- Oral fecal suspension treatment eradicated established T. hyodysenteriae infections and cecal lesions in Ta:CF#1 mice.
- Spectinomycin treatment rendered normally resistant Slc:ICR mice susceptible to infection.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiota of Slc:ICR mice contains viable organisms that eliminate Treponema hyodysenteriae.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation is a potential therapeutic strategy for controlling T. hyodysenteriae infections.
- Disruption of the gut microbiota through antibiotics can lead to increased susceptibility to T. hyodysenteriae.