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Strains of Eimeria maxima, an enteric parasite of poultry, vary in virulence. Here, we performed microscopy and RNA sequencing on oocysts of strains APU-1 (which exhibits more virulence) and APU-2. Although each underwent parallel development, APU-1 initially approached maturation more slowly. Each strain sporulated by hour 36; their gene expression diverged somewhat thereafter. Candidate biomarkers of viability included 58 genes contributing at least 1000 Transcripts Per Million throughout sporulation, such as cation-transporting ATPases and zinc finger domain-containing proteins. Many genes resemble constitutively expressed genes also important to Eimeria acervulina. Throughout sporulation, the expression of only a few genes differed between strains; these included cyclophilin A, EF-1α, and surface antigens (SAGs). Mature and immature oocysts uniquely differentially express certain genes, such as an X-Pro dipeptidyl-peptidase domain-containing protein in immature oocysts and a profilin in mature oocysts. The immature oocysts of each strain expressed more phosphoserine aminotransferase and the mature oocysts expressed more SAGs and microneme proteins. These data illuminate processes influencing sporulation in Eimeria and related genera, such as Cyclospora, and identify biological processes which may differentiate them. Drivers of development and senescence may provide tools to assess the viability of oocysts, which would greatly benefit the poultry industry and food safety applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract that is common in broiler chickens and causes substantial economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. The removal of many antimicrobials in poultry diets has driven the search for alternatives. The purpose of this study was to determine the microbiota changes in the cecal luminal (CE-L) and mucosal (CE-M) populations of broiler chickens undergoing clinical NE (co-infected with Eimeria maxima and Clostridium perfringens) while fed a diet containing a flavonoid rich corn (PennHFD1) or control diet using commercial corns. It was previously shown that chickens fed a diet high in flavonoids had improved performance parameters, lower mortality rate, and lower incidence of intestinal lesions. Flavonoids have been shown to have anti-bacterial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activity. The current study included four experimental groups: infected chickens fed commercial corn diet (CTRL-A) or PennHFD1 (CTRL-B) and infected chickens fed commercial corn diet (IF-A) or PennHFD1 (IF-B). We found that most of the microbiota changes were due to infection rather than diet. The alpha diversity in the IF chickens was lower in both CE-L and CE-M. The beta diversity of microbial communities was different between IF and CTRL chickens, as well as between CTRL-A and CTRL-B. The beta diversity of CTRL birds was more homogenous compared to IF samples. Taxonomic analysis showed a decrease in short chain fatty acid producing bacteria in IF birds. An increase in lactic acid producing bacteria, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus cecorum was also observed in IF birds. It is possible that the effect of the high flavonoid corn on the microbiota was overcome by the effect of NE, or that the positive effects of increased flavonoids in NE-challenged birds are a result of mechanisms which do not involve the microbiota. The effects of high flavonoid corn on NE infections may be further investigated as a possible alternative to antimicrobials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strains of Eimeria maxima , an enteric parasite of poultry, vary in virulence. Here, we performed microscopy and RNA sequencing on oocysts of strains APU-1 (which exhibits more virulence) and APU-2. Although each underwent parallel development, APU-1 initially approached maturation more slowly. Each strain sporulated by hour 36; their gene expression diverged somewhat thereafter. Candidate biomarkers of viability included 58 genes contributing at least 1000 Transcripts Per Million throughout sporulation, such as cation-transporting ATPases and zinc finger domain-containing proteins. Many genes resemble constitutively expressed genes also important to Eimeria acervulina. Throughout sporulation, the expression of only a few genes differed between strains; these included cyclophilin A, EF-1α, and surface antigens (SAGs). Mature and immature oocysts uniquely differentially express certain genes, such as an X-Pro dipeptidyl-peptidase domain-containing protein in immature oocysts and a profilin in mature oocysts. The immature oocysts of each strain expressed more phosphoserine aminotransferase and the mature oocysts expressed more SAGs and microneme proteins. These data illuminate processes influencing sporulation in Eimeria and related genera, such as Cyclospora , and identify biological processes which may differentiate them. Drivers of development and senescence may provide tools to assess the viability of oocysts, which would greatly benefit the poultry industry and food safety applications.