Host–gut microbiota interactions shape parasite infections in farmed Atlantic salmon

• Published in: mSystems
• Main Authors: Brealey, Jaelle C., Kodama, Miyako, Rasmussen, Jacob A., Hansen, Søren B., Santos-Bay, Luisa, Lecaudey, Laurène A., Hansen, Martin, Fjære, Even, Myrmel, Lene S., Madsen, Lise, Bernhard, Annette, Sveier, Harald, Kristiansen, Karsten, Gilbert, M. Thomas P., Martin, Michael D., Limborg, Morten T.
• Other Authors: Ishaq, Suzanne Lynn, Fiskeri - og havbruksnæringens forskningsfond, Danmarks Grundforskningsfond, EC | ERC | HORIZON EUROPE European Research Council, Carlsbergfondet, Norges Forskningsråd
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Society for Microbiology 2024
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/msystems.01043-23; https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/msystems.01043-23

Studying host–microbiota interactions through the perspective of the hologenome is gaining interest across all life sciences. Intestinal parasite infections are a huge burden on human and animal health; however, there are few studies investigating the role of the hologenome during parasite infections. We address this gap in the largest multi-omics fish microbiota study to date using natural cestode infection of farmed Atlantic salmon. We find a clear association between cestode infection, salmon lifetime growth, and perturbation of the salmon gut microbiota. Furthermore, we provide the first evidence that the genetic background of the host may partly determine how the gut microbiota changes during parasite-associated dysbiosis. Our study therefore highlights the value of a hologenomic approach for gaining a more in-depth understanding of parasitism.