Comparative analysis of fecal microbiota composition diversity in Tibetan piglets suffering from diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC).

This study was ascertained to investigate the adverse effects of pathogenic E. coli on gut microbiota of Tibetan piglets with history of yellow and white dysentery. For this purpose, a total of 18 fecal samples were collected from infected and healthy Tibetan piglets for 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing of V3–V4 region. Results showed that Firmicutes , Bacteroidia Fusobacteriota , Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota were the predominant bacteria in Tibetan piglets at the level of phylum classification. Results on classification at family level showed that Lactobacillus , Bacteroidota , Fusobacteriota and Enterobacteriaceae were the dominant bacteria. Results on classification of bacteria at phylum level compared with normal piglets indicated that Bacteroidota , Actinobacteriota , Euryarchaota and Spirochaetota in fecal microbial community in Tibetan piglets showing yellow dysenteric and diarrhea group were significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05). Compared with the feces of healthy Tibetan piglets, the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella , Lactobacillus and Enterococcus increased significantly in feces of Tibetan piglets having yellow dysentery and white dysentery. Moreover, results exhibited that the Proteobacteria and Fusobacteriota were significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) suggesting dominant microbial community. Results revealed that E. coli induced different pathological alterations in intestine including damage to intestinal epithelial cells, infiltration of inflammatory cells, presence of red blood cells in spaces of tissues, hemorrhages and necrosis of intestinal villi in piglets with history of yellow dysentery. This study for the first time reported the composition, characteristics, and differences of the fecal microflora diversity of Tibetan piglets with yellow and white dysentery in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which can provide a suitable support for effective control of diarrhoeal disease in these animals. • E. coli induce pathological alterations in intestinal tract of Tabetan piglets. • This study investigate adverse effects of pathogenic E. coli on intestinal flora. • Firmicutes, Bacteroidia Fusobacteriota, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota were the predominant bacteria. • This study for the first time reported the fecal microflora diversity in piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]