Avian Malaria Parasites Modulate Gut Microbiome Assembly in Canaries

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Parasitology
• Ecology

Background:

• Malaria parasites (Plasmodium species) are known to cause gut dysbiosis in humans and rodents.
• The impact of avian malaria parasites on the gut microbiome of their bird hosts remains largely unknown.
• Understanding host-parasite-microbiota interactions is crucial for avian health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether avian malaria infection modulates the gut microbiome in birds.
• To characterize changes in microbiome diversity, composition, and function following Plasmodium homocircumflexum infection in canaries.
• To explore the relationship between avian malaria and gut bacterial community assembly.

Main Methods:

• Fecal samples from infected and uninfected canaries were analyzed for microbiome composition at various time points post-infection.
• Alpha and beta diversity metrics were calculated to assess microbiome structure.
• Co-occurrence network analysis was employed to study microbial community assembly.
• PICRUSt2 was used to predict functional profiles of the bacterial communities.

Main Results:

• Avian malaria infection did not significantly alter alpha or beta diversity of the bird gut microbiome.
• Significant changes in the composition and abundance of specific bacterial taxa were observed in infected birds.
• Microbiome assembly trajectories differed between infected and uninfected birds.
• Infection was associated with distinct degradation and biosynthesis metabolic pathways, with some showing dynamic changes during infection.

Conclusions:

• Plasmodium homocircumflexum infection influences bacterial community assembly in the avian gut microbiome.
• Modulation of the gut microbiome by avian malaria parasites may have detrimental effects on host bird health.
• Further research into bird-malaria-microbiota interactions can inform interventions to improve avian health.