TY - JOUR

T1 - Emerging interactions between diet, gastrointestinal helminth infection, and the gut microbiota in livestock

AU - Williams, Andrew R.

AU - Myhill, Laura J.

AU - Stolzenbach, Sophie

AU - Nejsum, Peter

AU - Mejer, Helena

AU - Nielsen, Dennis S.

AU - Thamsborg, Stig M.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Increasing evidence suggests that nutritional manipulation of the commensal gut microbiota (GM) may play a key role in maintaining animal health and production in an era of reduced antimicrobial usage. Gastrointestinal helminth infections impose a considerable burden on animal performance, and recent studies suggest that infection may substantially alter the composition and function of the GM. Here, we discuss the potential interactions between different bioactive dietary components (prebiotics, probiotics and phytonutrients) and helminth infection on the GM in livestock. A number of recent studies suggest that host diet can strongly influence the nature of the helminth-GM interaction. Nutritional manipulation of the GM may thus impact helminth infection, and conversely infection may also influence how the GM responds to dietary interventions. Moreover, a dynamic interaction exists between helminths, the GM, intestinal immune responses, and inflammation. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying the diet-GM-helminth axis will likely inform future helminth control strategies, as well as having implications for how health-promoting feed additives, such as probiotics, can play a role in sustainable animal production.

AB - Increasing evidence suggests that nutritional manipulation of the commensal gut microbiota (GM) may play a key role in maintaining animal health and production in an era of reduced antimicrobial usage. Gastrointestinal helminth infections impose a considerable burden on animal performance, and recent studies suggest that infection may substantially alter the composition and function of the GM. Here, we discuss the potential interactions between different bioactive dietary components (prebiotics, probiotics and phytonutrients) and helminth infection on the GM in livestock. A number of recent studies suggest that host diet can strongly influence the nature of the helminth-GM interaction. Nutritional manipulation of the GM may thus impact helminth infection, and conversely infection may also influence how the GM responds to dietary interventions. Moreover, a dynamic interaction exists between helminths, the GM, intestinal immune responses, and inflammation. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying the diet-GM-helminth axis will likely inform future helminth control strategies, as well as having implications for how health-promoting feed additives, such as probiotics, can play a role in sustainable animal production.

KW - Diet

KW - Gut microbiota

KW - Helminths

KW - immunity

KW - Livestock

KW - prebiotics

KW - probiotics

U2 - 10.1186/s12917-021-02752-w

DO - 10.1186/s12917-021-02752-w

M3 - Review

C2 - 33514383

AN - SCOPUS:85100073716

VL - 17

JO - B M C Veterinary Research

JF - B M C Veterinary Research

SN - 1746-6148

IS - 1

M1 - 62

ER -