Short Term Effect of Ivermectin on the Bacterial Microbiota from Fecal Samples in Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: For the first time we evaluated the effect of ivermectin treatment on the fecal bacterial microbiota of healthy chinchillas by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Ten clinically healthy chinchillas were included in this study. Via comparing the difference between microbiota composition of fecal samples of the 10 chinchillas before and 14 days after ivermectin administration, we found out that there was no significant alteration in the abundance and diversity of fecal bacterial microbiota after ivermectin injection, and the relative abundance of some bacterial species changed without observed negative impact on chinchillas’ health. These results indicated single subcutaneous injection of ivermectin in therapeutic dose to healthy chinchillas had a mild impact on the fecal bacterial microbiota in short term and provided guidance for clinical ivermectin treatment in chinchillas. ABSTRACT: The gastrointestinal microbiota plays an important role in health of the host animals and the detrimental influence of pharmaceutical treatment on the fecal microbiota receives an increasing concern. The clinical use of ivermectin on chinchillas has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of our study was to assess the influence of ivermectin injection on the fecal bacterial microbiota of chinchillas. A with-in subject, before and after study was performed on 10 clinically healthy chinchillas during a 14-day period, all chinchillas received the same ivermectin treatment, and the microbiota from their fecal samples before and after administration were compared as two experimental groups. Fecal samples were collected on day 0 (before ivermectin administration) and day 14 (post ivermectin administration). Fecal bacterial microbiota was analyzed by bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. No clinical abnormalities were observed post subcutaneous administration of ivermectin. No significant alteration was found in the abundance and diversity of fecal bacterial microbiota after treatment, but the dominant position of some bacterial species changed. In conclusion, ivermectin administration was associated with minimal alternations of the fecal bacterial microbiota in healthy chinchillas, and these changes had no observed negative effect on general health of chinchillas in short term.