Intestinimonas butyriciproducens affects Eimeria tenella development and infection via regulating EtGFAT gene expression

Abstract

Abstract Chicken coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria, is a prevalent problem worldwide and results in significant economic losses to the poultry industry. The chicken cecum harbors a diverse and complex microbiota, with E. tenella exclusively parasitizing the cecum and thus engaging in complex interactions with the cecal microbiota. In the investigation, an antibiotic-induced cecal microbiota depletion model was used to study the relationship between E. tenella and the microbial community for the first time. It was revealed that the absence of cecal microbiota can disrupt E. tenella macrogametes development. Furthermore, the critical role of cecal microbiota integrity in E. tenella development was confirmed through fecal microbiota transplantation experiments. Notably, the study identified the genus Intestinimonas within the cecum as a primary factor influencing E. tenella development. Specifically, it was discovered that the genus Intestinimonas significantly affects macrogametes development through EtGFAT gene expression. In addition, transplantation of Intestinimonas butyriciproducens resulted in a significant reduction in clinical symptoms associated with E. tenella infection. Furthermore, Intestinimonas butyriciproducens promoted the secretion of high levels of IFN-γ from CD8 + T cells, which in turn exerts resistance to E. tenella. These findings offer valuable insights for developing innovative anti-coccidia agents.