Gut Microbiota and Lymphocyte Subsets in Canine Leishmaniasis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Immunology
• Microbiome Research
• Parasitology

Background:

• Canine leishmaniasis severity depends on host immunity.
• The role of gut microbiota in canine leishmaniasis is unknown.
• Immune system and gut microbiota interactions are increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare gut microbiota and leukocyte subsets in healthy, exposed asymptomatic, and infected symptomatic dogs.
• Investigate the relationship between gut dysbiosis and canine leishmaniasis.
• Identify potential immune markers associated with disease severity.

Main Methods:

• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) for gut microbiota analysis.
• Flow cytometry to quantify leukocyte subsets (CD4, CD5, CD8, CD11b, CD14, CD21).
• Comparative analysis across three dog groups: healthy, exposed asymptomatic, and infected symptomatic.

Main Results:

• Firmicutes abundance was higher in healthy dogs compared to leishmaniasis-affected groups.
• Proteobacteria were significantly more abundant in symptomatic dogs, indicating potential dysbiosis.
• Symptomatic dogs exhibited lower concentrations of all measured lymphocyte subsets (CD5, CD21, CD4, CD8).

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota composition differs between healthy and leishmaniasis-affected dogs.
• Increased Proteobacteria and reduced Firmicutes may indicate dysbiosis in canine leishmaniasis.
• Lower lymphocyte counts in symptomatic dogs suggest a compromised Th1 immune response.