Multi platforms strategies and metabolomics approaches for the investigation of comprehensive metabolite profile in dogs with Babesia canis infection

Rubić, I. et al. (2022) Multi platforms strategies and metabolomics approaches for the investigation of comprehensive metabolite profile in dogs with Babesia canis infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(3), 1575. (doi: 10.3390/ijms23031575) (PMID:35163517) (PMCID:PMC8835742)

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease worldwide, caused by parasites of the Babesia genus. Although the disease process primarily affects erythrocytes, it may also have multisystemic consequences. The goal of this study was to explore and characterize the serum metabolome, by identifying potential metabolites and metabolic pathways in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis using liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The study included 12 dogs naturally infected with B. canis and 12 healthy dogs. By combining three different analytical platforms using untargeted and targeted approaches, 295 metabolites were detected. The untargeted ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) metabolomics approach identified 64 metabolites, the targeted UHPLC-MS/MS metabolomics approach identified 205 metabolites, and the GC-MS metabolomics approach identified 26 metabolites. Biological functions of differentially abundant metabolites indicate the involvement of various pathways in canine babesiosis including the following: glutathione metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism; cysteine and methionine metabolism; and phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis. This study confirmed that host−pathogen interactions could be studied by metabolomics to assess chemical changes in the host, such that the differences in serum metabolome between dogs with B. canis infection and healthy dogs can be detected with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods. Our study provides novel insight into pathophysiological mechanisms of B. canis infection.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was funded by the “Croatian Science Foundation”, project ‘’MetaDog” (Grant Agreement No. IP-2018-01-8324).
• Keywords: Metabolomics, serum, Babesia canis, chromatography, mass spectrometry.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Burchmore, Dr Richard and Eckersall, Professor David and Weidt, Dr Stefan and Regnault, Mr Clement and Horvatic, Ms Anita and Kules, Mrs Josipa and Rubic, Ms Ivana
• Authors: Rubić, I., Burchmore, R., Weidt, S., Regnault, C., Kules, J., Barić Rafaj, R., Mašek, T., Horvatić, A., Crnogaj, M., Eckersall, P. D., Novak, P., and Mrljak, V.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1661-6596
• ISSN (Online): 1422-0067
• Published Online: 29 January 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23(3): 1575
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License