Effects of exercise intensity on gut microbiome composition and function in people with type 2 diabetes.

Exercise is positively associated with higher microbial diversity, but there is limited information on exercise intensity's effect on gut microbiome composition and function in clinical populations. This study examines whether different intensities of exercise exert differential effects on gut microbiome composition and function in low active people with type 2 diabetes. This is a sub-study of the Exercise for Type 2 Diabetes Study, a single centre, prospective, randomised controlled trial. Participants (n = 12) completed 8-weeks of combined aerobic and resistance moderate intensity continuous training (C-MICT) or combined aerobic and resistance high-intensity interval training (C-HIIT). Faecal samples were collected before and after intervention to measure gut microbiome composition and metabolic pathways (metagenome shotgun sequencing) and short-chain fatty acids. Post-exercise α-diversity was different between groups as was the relative abundance of specific taxa was (p < .05). Post-exercise relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, A. municiphila, and butyrate-producers Lachnospira eligens, Enterococcus spp., and Clostridium Cluster IV were higher at lower exercise intensity. Other butyrate-producers (from Eryspelothrichales and Oscillospirales), and methane producer Methanobrevibacter smithii were higher at higher exercise intensity. Pyruvate metabolism (ko00620),COG "Cell wall membrane envelope biogenesis" and "Unknown function" pathways were significantly different between groups and higher in C-MICT post-exercise. Differential abundance analysis on KO showed higher expression of Two-component system in C-HIIT. Transcription factors and "unknown metabolism" related pathways decreased in both groups. There were no significant between group changes in faecal short chain fatty acids. Exercise intensity had a distinct effect on gut microbiome abundance and metabolic function, without impacting short-chain fatty acid output.HighlightsEvidence of exercise effect on gut microbiome outcomes is limited to healthy and athletic populationsIn low active people with type 2 diabetes, different exercise intensities increased specific health promoting and butyrate producers species, and showed differentially abundant gut microbiome metabolic pathways.Further investigation is warranted, and if this supports the present findings, then specific exercise intensities may be promoted to target specific species and optimise gut health.

The pathogenicity and immunologic relationship of a virulent and a tissue-culture-adapted Babesia bovis.

Babesia bovis grown in tissue culture was used to inoculate 12, 2-year-old Holstein steers. All 12 developed serological evidence of infection but only six had a febrile response of greater than or equal to 40 degrees C, and only one had a demonstrable B. bovis parasitemia. An average modest drop of 19% was observed in packed cell volume (PCV) during the period of reaction. All 12 steers were subsequently challenged with virulent B. bovis: seven on day 78 post inoculation (p.i.), two on day 106 p.i., and three on day 251 p.i. No demonstrable clinical response was observed in any of the 12 steers previously exposed to the tissue-culture organism, whereas severe signs of babesiosis occurred in seven 2-year-old, non-vaccinated control steers given a comparably virulent B. bovis challenge. All seven controls showed a febrile response, B. bovis parasitemias, with an average drop of 55% in PCV and a 28% mortality.

Ovine anaplasmosis: in utero transmission as it relates to stage of gestation.

Seventeen mature, pregnant, anaplasmosis-susceptible and 3 anaplasmosis-carrier ewes were used in Anaplasma ovis in utero transmission studies. Susceptible ewes were arbitrarily allotted to 3 groups, 4 each in groups A and C and 9 in group B, and were inoculated with whole blood from a carrier ewe. Each group was Anaplasma-exposed once during one of the thirds of pregnancy. In all ewes, resulting parasitemias were low and anemias were mild. Three carrier ewes comprised group D. Blood samples were obtained once during gestation from each fetus at various stages of development for evaluation and inoculation into splenectomized lambs. Blood obtained from neonates before nursing was also evaluated for Anaplasma presence. Parasitemia was not detected in any fetus or neonate; however, 3 of 16 splenectomized lambs inoculated with fetal or neonate blood developed acute anaplasmosis. Dams of fetuses/neonates with infective blood had been Anaplasma-exposed during their 2nd or last 3rd of pregnancy. Infective Anaplasma agents crossed the placental barrier as early as 130 days of gestation.

Bovine anaplasmosis: transplacental transmission as it relates to stage of gestation.

Six mature, pregnant, anaplasmosis-susceptible and 3 anaplasmosis-carrier beef cows were used in Anaplasma in utero transmission studies. Susceptible cows were randomly allotted into 3 groups of 2 cows each and were inoculated with a Virginia A marginale stabilate. Each group was Anaplasma-exposed once during 1 of the 3 trimesters of pregnancy. Blood samples were obtained from each fetus at various stages of development for evaluation and for subinoculation into splenectomized calves once during gestation. Precolostral blood from neonates was also subinoculated into individual susceptible calves. Two of the 9 splenectomized calves given fetal blood inoculations developed acute anaplasmosis. The dam of 1 fetus with infective blood was Anaplasma-exposed during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, and the dam of the second fetus was exposed during her 3rd trimester. Infective fetal blood was obtained during the same trimester of gestation in which the dams were inoculated. Calves given neonatal precolostral blood did not develop anaplasmosis.

Test of the sheep ked Melophagus ovinus (L) as a vector of Anaplasma ovis Lestoquard.

The sheep ked Melophagus ovinus was evaluated as a possible vector of Anaplasma ovis. In 4 tests, 45 to 293 keds were transferred from sheep with acute anaplasmosis, low level parasitemia, or carrier state of anaplasmosis to individual splenectomized ewes. Keds were confined in stockinette cages attached to the dorsal midline of the recipient hosts for 10 days. Throughout the 90-day observation periods after the keds were transferred, no clinical, serologic, or hematologic evidence of anaplasmosis was detected in any of the ked-recipient ewes. Results indicate that sheep keds probably are not mechanical or biological vectors of the ovine anaplasmosis organism.

Efficacy of buparvaquone as a therapeutic and clearing agent of Babesia equi of European origin in horses.

We evaluated the efficacy of buparvaquone in eliminating infection with Babesia equi of European origin in carrier horses and in splenectomized horses with experimentally induced acute infection. When administered at the rate of 5 mg/kg of body weight, IV, 4 times at 48-hour intervals, buparvaquone prompted rapid abatement of parasitemia. However, secondary and tertiary recrudescent parasitemias invariably returned with establishment of the carrier state. Buparvaquone, at the dosage evaluated, had transitory therapeutic efficacy against acute B equi infection in splenectomized horses, but was unable alone to clear carrier infection.

Bovine anaplasmosis: in utero transmission and the immunologic significance of ingested colostral antibodies.

Neonate progeny from 3 Anaplasma-free (clean) and 5 Anaplasma-carrier cows were splenectomized and each was challenge exposed with 5 ml of carrier blood. Prepatent times were between 18 and 25 days in calves born of clean cows and between 21 and 36 days in progeny from carrier dams. The lowest packed cell volume values in the clean group occurred at 25 to 39 days after the challenge inoculation and at 29 to 47 days in the carrier group. Highest parasitemias in the clean-calves ranged between 13% and 51% in 25 to 35 days and between 35% to 64% in 38 to 43 days in the carrier calves. Seven splenectomized calves were inoculated with 60 ml of whole blood from progeny of known Anaplasma-free or Anaplasma-carrier cows. After 183 days, all but 1 calf remained free of anaplasmosis. A 1% parasitemia was first observed in that calf 12 days after inoculation with blood from a calf which showed signs of acute anaplasmosis at birth. The infected neonate's dam had recovered from acute anaplasmosis infection during the middle of the second trimester of the gestation. Although not statistically significant, colostral antibodies and/or other maternal factors did not seem to completely protect progeny, but lengthened the prepatent period and delayed anemia and the climax of parasitemia. Further, it was determined that it was possible for an animal affected with acute anaplasmosis before the 190th day of the gestation to transmit anaplasmosis in utero.

Evaluations of buparvaquone as a treatment for equine babesiosis (Babesia equi).

We evaluated the efficacy of buparvaquone in eliminating Babesia equi of European origin in carrier horses and in experimentally infected splenectomized ponies. When administered at the rate of 2.5 mg/kg of body weight, IM, 4 times at 96-hour intervals, buparvaquone was effective in eliminating B equi carrier infection in 1 horse. Such results could not be repeated at the same dosage or at 3.5 or 5 mg/kg, IM. Buparvaquone given at the rate of 4 to 6 mg/kg IV and/or IM was therapeutically effective in 4 of 5 acute B equi infections in splenectomized ponies. The treated ponies became carriers.

Anaplasma marginale infections in American bison: experimental infection and serologic study.

Anaplasma marginale was experimentally transmitted from cattle to bison and back to cattle. Of the 2 splenectomized and 1 intact American bison calves (Bison bison) inoculated with a North Texas A marginale stabilate, 1 splenectomized and 1 intact bison exhibited clinical signs of anaplasmosis. Active parasitemias in these bison were observed along with positive reactions in the rapid card agglutination and complement fixation tests. Blood from the infected bison produced disease in splenectomized bovine calves. Screening tests for anti-Anaplasma antibodies in 178 blood samples collected from adult bison from the National Bison Range, Montana, revealed 1 rapid card agglutination test-positive sample, and 110 negative, 40 suspect, and 28 positive (15.7%) complement fixation test samples.

Evaluation of jackrabbits as nonruminant hosts for Anaplasma marginale.

Two black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus), 1 splenectomized and 1 intact, were inoculated with 0.2 ml of a 1:5 dilution of a Florida Anaplasma marginale stabilate. Five months later, both hares were inoculated with 1 ml of whole blood from a calf with acute anaplasmosis. Neither hare developed any signs of clinical anaplasmosis. Pooled blood (7 ml) from these jackrabbits which was inoculated into 2 Anaplasma-susceptible, splenectomized calves failed to induce hematologic or serologic signs of anaplasmosis for at least 90 days. Two susceptible, splenectomized calves were inoculated with 35 ml of pooled whole blood from 9 wild-collected black-tailed jackrabbits from a known anaplasmosis enzootic area. Both steers remained free of anaplasmosis signs for 90 days.

Transmission of Anaplasma marginale Theiler by males of Dermacentor andersoni Stiles fed on an Idaho field-infected, chronic carrier cow.

The role of ticks and carrier cattle in epizootics of bovine anaplasmosis was further clarified by demonstrating unequivocally, for the first time, that male ticks fed on a chronic carrier cow naturally infected with Anaplasma marginale can transmit this parasite intrastadially and biologically when subsequently fed on susceptible cattle. These data indicate that field epizootics of acute anaplasmosis may be initiated by males of tick vector species that feed on carrier cattle and subsequently transfer to susceptible cattle.

Imidocarb and parvaquone in the treatment of piroplasmosis (Babesia equi) in equids.

The therapeutic efficacies of imidocarb and parvaquone were tested against Babesia equi of European origin in carrier horses and for induced acute infections in splenectomized ponies. Imidocarb, at a dosage of 4 mg/kg of body weight, given IM at 72-hour intervals 4 times, was ineffective in eliminating B equi-carrier infection in 9 mature geldings. A single IM administration of 4 mg/kg was not therapeutic in acutely infected splenectomized ponies. When given at 3 different dosages and treatment schedules, parvaquone was ineffective in clearing carrier infection. Parvaquone given IM once at a dosage of 20 mg/kg was effective for acute B equi infections in splenectomized ponies; parasitemia began to decrease within 24 hours after treatment. Infections were not eliminated however, and within 4 weeks, secondary parasitemia and anemia developed. Of 4 ponies, 3 died of acute piroplasmosis.

Serologic and clinical responses of premunized, vaccinated, and previously infected cattle to challenge exposure by two different Anaplasma marginale isolates.

Two Anaplasma marginale isolates, one originating in Florida (FAM) and the other from Virginia (VAM), were compared immunologically by cross-challenge exposure of 14 Anaplasma carrier cattle, 8 previously infected cattle, and 6 splenectomized carrier calves. In addition, 28 cattle vaccinated with a commercially available adjuvant killed vaccine and 22 nonvaccinated cattle were challenge exposed with either FAM or VAM. A detectable clinical response was not produced by either FAM or VAM challenge exposure in carrier and previously infected cattle; however, evidence of A marginale growth as characterized by low percentages of parasitemia and increased serum complement-fixation titers was seen in carrier cattle given a heterologous challenge organism and in previously infected cattle inoculated with either homologous or heterologous organisms. Among splenectomized calves, there was virtually no cross protection to the heterologous challenge exposure, whereas a homologous challenge failed to elicit any detectable response. Vaccinated cattle were resistant to VAM exposure, but the clinical response to FAM exposure was severe with a 47% mortality. Most of these cattle displayed typical acute anaplasmosis that was only marginally less severe than that encountered in nonvaccinated cattle.

Epidemiologic aspects of bovine anaplasmosis in semiarid range conditions of south central Idaho.

The prevalance of Anaplasma marginale-infected cows, as determined by use of the modified rapid card agglutination (MRCA) test, was measured during a 4-year period (1980-1983). The prevalence of A marginale-infected cows, defined as positive reactors on the MRCA test, remained constant (31%-37%). The apparent incidence of A marginale transmission to susceptible cows was approximately 7% from 1980 to 1981, 8% from 1981 to 1982, and no transmission from 1982 to 1983. The occasional MRCA-positive cow became negative on the MRCA test, and 1 cow was determined to be free of A marginale infection by subinoculation of 100 ml of the cow's blood into a susceptible, splenectomized calf. Dermacentor andersoni, a known vector of A marginale, was often found on the cattle and in their environment. However, A marginale was not transmitted to susceptible, splenectomized calves, using collected ticks. Of 56 calves born to MRCA-positive cows, 82% were MRCA-positive within the first 3 months of life. These calves converted to MRCA-negative status and were determined to be free of A marginale infection by subinoculation of their blood into susceptible, splenectomized calves, indicating the passive transfer of colostral antibodies.

Experimental infections of Anaplasma ovis in pronghorn antelope.

Anaplasma ovis was experimentally transmitted from sheep to pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) and back to sheep. Anaplasma ovis was recovered in splenectomized sheep, from two of three spleen-intact pronghorns following their inoculation with blood from known A. ovis carrier sheep. These two pronghorns exhibited a 0.5% or higher A. ovis parasitemia within 48 days after exposure, and an anaplasmosis-positive serological response 91 days after exposure. Clinical signs of illness were not observed. Blood from the infected pronghorns produced disease in four splenectomized sheep.

Experimental anaplasmosis in mule deer: persistence of infection of Anaplasma marginale and susceptibility to A. ovis.

An experimental Anaplasma marginale infection was induced in a splenectomized mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) which persisted subclinically at least 376 days as detected by subinoculation into susceptible cattle. Anaplasma ovis was experimentally transmitted from sheep to a splenectomized and a spleen-intact mule deer, and back to sheep. The pathogenesis in deer was very similar to that seen in sheep using ovine blood inoculations.

Experimental anaplasmosis in American bison: persistence of infections of Anaplasma marginale and non-susceptibility to A. ovis.

Blood collected 314 and 496 days after experimentally infecting splenectomized and spleen-intact American bison (Bison bison) with Anaplasma marginale was infective for splenectomized bovine steers. The pathogenesis was identical to that seen in bovine studies using bovine blood inoculations. A splenectomized bison remained normal clinically, hematologically and serologically for 10 mo after repeated inoculation of ovine blood infected with A. ovis.

Experimental infections of Babesia bigemina in American bison.

Babesia bigemina was experimentally transmitted from cattle to bison and back to cattle. One spleen-intact and two splenectomized American bison (Bison bison) inoculated with a B. bigemina stabilate exhibited clinical and hematological signs of babesiosis within 10 days of exposure. Blood from the infected bison produced disease in a splenectomized bovine steer.

Vitreous humor analysis for selected biochemical parameters from cervids in Idaho.

Vitreous humor and liver samples were collected from hunter-harvested elk (Cervus elaphus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Idaho (USA). Concentrations of calcium, chloride, potassium, sodium, urea nitrogen and selenium were determined and evaluated according to species, age, gender, geographic location, and time elapsed following death. Vitreous humor analysis yielded reliable biochemical information for < or = 96 hr subsequent to the death of the animal. Vitreous potassium concentration changes over time could be used to estimate the time that elapsed following death.

Susceptibility of elk (Cervus elaphus) to experimental infection with Anaplasma marginale and A. ovis.

Anaplasma ovis was experimentally transmitted from domestic sheep to elk (Cervus elaphus) and back to splenectomized sheep. No rickettsemias were detected but serum from three of seven experimentally inoculated elk developed Anaplasma spp.-reactive antibody as measured by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) or by the rapid card agglutination and complement fixation assays. Three elk were experimentally infected with A. marginale. The rickettsiae were detected in blood of these elk and caused disease in a splenectomized domestic bovine calf after subinoculation of blood from the elk. All three elk had positive titers with IIF. No clinical signs of illness were noted in any elk inoculated with either Anaplasma species.