Dietary microbiota-mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Abstract The impact of dietary microorganisms on host microbiota is recognized, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined the effects of bamboo surface microbiota, including virulence factors, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements from different bamb...

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Main Authors: Zheng Yan, Ying Yao, Qin Xu, Xin He, Xinyu Zhou, Hairui Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Communications Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08270-x
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author Zheng Yan
Ying Yao
Qin Xu
Xin He
Xinyu Zhou
Hairui Wang
author_facet Zheng Yan
Ying Yao
Qin Xu
Xin He
Xinyu Zhou
Hairui Wang
author_sort Zheng Yan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The impact of dietary microorganisms on host microbiota is recognized, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined the effects of bamboo surface microbiota, including virulence factors, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements from different bamboo parts (leaves, shoots, and culms), on giant panda gut microbiota using three pairs of twins. Results showed that bamboo and fecal samples shared 1670 microbial species, with shoot surface microbiota contributing the highest proportion (21%, Bayesian source tracking) of contemporaneous gut microbiota, primarily by increasing abundances of Escherichia coli and ARGs. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica also showed high co-occurrence in both bamboo and fecal samples, indicating potential colonization. Additionally, Streptococcus suis, Acinetobacter, and Mycobacterium progressively declined in fecal samples as bamboo shoot intake increased, suggesting these microbes are likely transient. The findings emphasize the impact of foodborne microorganisms on the host and the importance of conservation management.
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issn 2399-3642
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spelling doaj-art-39d3845190ab40cfa98e2c754693dab82025-08-20T03:10:35ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Biology2399-36422025-06-018111410.1038/s42003-025-08270-xDietary microbiota-mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)Zheng Yan0Ying Yao1Qin Xu2Xin He3Xinyu Zhou4Hairui Wang5Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingChengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingChengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingChengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingChengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingChengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingAbstract The impact of dietary microorganisms on host microbiota is recognized, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined the effects of bamboo surface microbiota, including virulence factors, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements from different bamboo parts (leaves, shoots, and culms), on giant panda gut microbiota using three pairs of twins. Results showed that bamboo and fecal samples shared 1670 microbial species, with shoot surface microbiota contributing the highest proportion (21%, Bayesian source tracking) of contemporaneous gut microbiota, primarily by increasing abundances of Escherichia coli and ARGs. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica also showed high co-occurrence in both bamboo and fecal samples, indicating potential colonization. Additionally, Streptococcus suis, Acinetobacter, and Mycobacterium progressively declined in fecal samples as bamboo shoot intake increased, suggesting these microbes are likely transient. The findings emphasize the impact of foodborne microorganisms on the host and the importance of conservation management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08270-x
spellingShingle Zheng Yan
Ying Yao
Qin Xu
Xin He
Xinyu Zhou
Hairui Wang
Dietary microbiota-mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Communications Biology
title Dietary microbiota-mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
title_full Dietary microbiota-mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
title_fullStr Dietary microbiota-mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
title_full_unstemmed Dietary microbiota-mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
title_short Dietary microbiota-mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
title_sort dietary microbiota mediated shifts in gut microbial ecology and pathogen interactions in giant pandas ailuropoda melanoleuca
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08270-x
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