New Insights into Bacterial Communities in Cat Faeces Containing Roundworm Eggs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Animal Health
• Gut Microbiome Research

Background:

• Pathogenic microorganisms cause disease in domestic pets like cats.
• Limited research exists on the bacterial composition of cat feces containing helminth eggs.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for feline health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bacterial microbiota in cat feces specifically containing nematode eggs.
• To compare the bacterial community structure between feces with and without roundworm eggs.
• To identify potential bacterial biomarkers associated with helminth infection in cats.

Main Methods:

• Next-generation sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) V3-V4 region was used for bacterial analysis.
• Cat fecal samples were categorized into two groups: Group 1 (with roundworm eggs) and Group 2 (without roundworm eggs).
• Statistical analysis, including differential taxa abundance analysis, was performed using R, SPSS, and LEfSe.

Main Results:

• Bacteroidota and Firmicutes were dominant phyla in both groups.
• Campylobacterota and the genus Helicobacter were more abundant in feces with roundworm eggs (Group 1).
• Fusobacteriota and the genera Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, and Collinsella were more abundant in feces without roundworm eggs (Group 2).

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first evidence of the bacterial community composition in cat feces containing roundworm eggs.
• Specific bacterial taxa differ in abundance based on the presence or absence of nematode eggs.
• Findings contribute to understanding the feline gut microbiome and its interaction with helminth infections.