Title (eng)
Deciphering the code of resistance: a genomic and transcriptomic exploration of the Cystoisospora suis Holland-I strain
Abstract (eng)
Cystoisospora suis, a member of the apicomplexan order Coccidia and causative agent of neonatal porcine coccidiosis, poses a challenge to pig production due to the emergence of reduced efficacy of toltrazuril, the only EU-approved treatment. To address the critical gaps in understanding toltrazuril resistance and possibilities of early diagnostics, our study investigated the genetic basis of resistance through whole-genome DNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis of two C. suis strains, the toltrazuril-susceptible Wien-I and the resistant Holland-I. Additionally, we studied the mitochondrial genome and analysed mitochondrial gene expression in both strains. Our results show that genes encoding proteins involved in host-cell invasion displayed variable expression patterns and genetic mutations, suggesting adaptive changes in invasion mechanisms. Moreover, substantial fluctuations in the expression of genes linked to retrotransposons, accompanied by genetic alterations, were observed, highlighting their potential involvement in genomic rearrangements. Finally, our mitochondrial genome analyses revealed important insights into its genetic organization and conservation. Notably, the marked downregulation of CoI, CoIII and Cytb mRNA levels in the resistant strain Holland-I upon toltrazuril exposure highlights the dynamic response of mitochondrial genes to toltrazuril. These mitochondrial adaptations appear to be closely linked to the parasite drug resistance mechanism, potentially facilitating its survival under pharmacological stress. These findings enhance our knowledge of drug resistance mechanisms in Coccidia and highlight the need for novel management strategies, leading to the development of targeted treatments and controls.
Keywords (eng)
AnimalsTriazines PharmacologyDrug Resistance GeneticsSwineTranscriptomeCoccidiosis ParasitologyCoccidiosis VeterinaryCoccidiosis Drug TherapyCoccidiosis GeneticsSwine Diseases ParasitologySwine Diseases GeneticsGenome, MitochondrialSarcocystidae GeneticsSarcocystidae Drug EffectsCoccidiostats PharmacologyGenomics MethodsGene Expression Profiling
Type (eng)
Language
[eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4044
Is in series
Title (eng)
Scientific Reports
Volume
15
Issue
1
ISSN
2045-2322
Issued
2025
Number of pages
17
Publication
Nature Portfolio
Version type (eng)
Date issued
2025
Access rights (eng)
License
Rights statement (eng)
© 2025. The Author(s)
Citable links
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4044
Cite
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89372-8
Content
Details
Object type
PDFDocument
Format
application/pdf
Created
14.04.2025 07:46:33
This object is in collection
Metadata
Export formats
Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien (Vetmeduni) | Veterinärplatz 1 | 1210 Wien - Österreich | T
+43 1 25077 1414 | Web: vetmeduni.ac.at