Fusarium graminearum Spores Disrupt Gut Microbiota and Metabolome via the Lung-Gut Axis in Mice

Fusarium graminearum, the primary pathogen responsible for wheat Fusarium head blight, can induce pulmonary damage through its spores. However, the detailed mechanism by which these spores cause intestinal injury is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of exposure to fungal spores on the intestinal microbiota using a mice model that mimics the effects of fusarium graminearum spores on the gut microbiota and its metabolic profile. The study utilized 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics methodologies to analyze the contents of the cecum and feces in mice. The results showed that exposure to fungal spores led to significant changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota in mice, characterized by an increase in Akkermansia and Staphylococcus populations. A non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified 316 metabolites associated with various metabolic pathways, particularly galactose metabolism. Pre-exposure to antibiotics before fungal spore exposure resulted in a decrease in the metabolic capacity of the intestinal microbiota in mice. This research demonstrates that fusarium graminearum spores can disrupt the intestinal microbiota and metabolome via the lung-gut axis. These findings provide valuable insights into the intestinal damage caused by fungal spores and offer important support for the development of therapeutic strategies for intestinal diseases.