Disruptions in the intestinal microbial ecology associated with Clostridium perfringens

REDONDO LM; PINTO A; GOLDSTEIN J; CASANOVA NA; GEOGHEGAN P; DIAZ CARRASCO JM; CANGELOSI A; FERNÁNDEZ MIYAKAWA ME

Congreso; ANAEROBE 2021: THE MICROBIOTA AND BEYOND; 2021

The Microbiology Society

Epsilon toxin (ETX) produces a combination of brain and intestine alterations which play a key role in the pathogenesis of enterotoxaemia in ruminants.Neurodegenerative diseases can induce alterations in the intestinal environment leading to changes in gut microbiota composition.Objective: To describe gut microbiota alterations related to neurodegenerative effects of ETX in the central nervous system.Systemic exposure of mice to sublethal ETX doses induce alterations of CNS and modulates gut microbiota. Several members of Firmicutes (decreased) and Bacteroidetes (increased) phyla were affected by ETX. Affected members of the Firmicutes phylum (i.e. Lactobacillus) or butirate producers (Roseburia) are described as direct ecological competitors of C. perfringens for specific niches within the gut environment. Reductions in the relative abundance of these groups could be associated with increased chances of C. perfringens to compete for resources in the host gut. Therefore, neurotoxicity of ETX can be key to improve C. perfringens type B and D fitness in the intestinal environment.