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Do the microorganisms from laboratory culture spent growth medium affect house dust mite fitness and microbiome

Vit Molva1,2, Marie Bostlova1, Marta Nesvorna1

  • 1Crop Research Institute, Prague 6-Ruzyne, Czechia.

Insect Science
|August 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Spent growth medium (SPGM) impacts house dust mite (HDM) microbiomes, decreasing beneficial bacteria in Dermatophagoides farinae. SPGM extract reduced microbial respiration but had minimal effect on mite population growth.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Ecology
  • Allergen research

Background:

  • House dust mites (HDM) survival in human environments depends on interactions with microorganisms.
  • Spent growth medium (SPGM) is a dietary component for HDM, containing microorganisms that can recolonize mite food and digestive tracts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of adding SPGM to HDM diets on population growth, microbiome composition, and microbial respiration.
  • To analyze differences between American (Dermatophagoides farinae) and European (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) house dust mite species.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus fed control diets versus diets supplemented with SPGM extract.
  • Microbiome composition analysis using 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing.
  • Measurement of microbial respiration in experimental microcosms.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial and fungal microbiome compositions differed between HDM species.
  • SPGM treatment altered the bacterial microbiome of D. farinae, decreasing Lactobacillus while increasing Cardinium, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, and Sphingomonas.
  • SPGM extract reduced microbial respiration in most cases and did not significantly affect D. farinae population growth, but showed variable effects on D. pteronyssinus.

Conclusions:

  • HDM microbiomes are influenced by SPGM, with specific bacterial shifts observed in D. farinae.
  • SPGM addition impacts microbial respiration but has limited effects on HDM population dynamics.
  • House dust mites appear to be only marginally influenced by the microorganisms present in their feces.
Keywords:
dietfecesfeedinghouse dust mitesmicrobiomemicroorganismsmites

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