Gut Metabolite-arachidonic acid alleviates intestinal injury induced by a wild rodent isolated strain of Toxoplasma gondii

Wild Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) isolates generally exhibit higher virulence and distinct tissue and organ tropism. Our study explores the pathogenicity of the wild rodent isolate T. gondii strain TgRodGz1, focusing on its impact on gut microbiota, metabolites, and the potential immunomodulatory effects of arachidonic acid (ARA). We assessed intestinal damage, microbiota alterations, and associated metabolic changes through histopathology, qPCR, metagenomic sequencing, and metabolomics. Our results reveal that TgRodGz1 infection induces more severe intestinal damage compared to the standard Me49 strain, characterized by increased gut permeability and inflammation. Metagenomic analysis uncovered significant intestinal flora dysbiosis, with a marked reduction in beneficial bacteria and expansion of Pathogenic bacteria. Supplementation with ARA alleviated inflammation, enhanced gut barrier integrity, and reduced T. gondii cyst load in the brain. These findings suggest that ARA supplementation may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate the intestinal and neurological damage associated with T. gondii infection.