Explore our curated collection of the most recent and relevant research studies in microbiome medicine. Stay informed on groundbreaking discoveries, innovative therapies, and the evolving understanding of microbiome health for companion animals.
This study delves into the connection between gut health and diabetes in dogs. By analyzing the gut microbiome of healthy and diabetic dogs, researchers identified key differences in bacterial communities, potentially leading to innovative prevention and treatment strategies for canine diabetes.
Obesity is a prevalent chronic disease that has significant negative impacts on humans and our companion animals, including dogs and cats. Obesity occurs with multiple comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and osteoarthritis in dogs and cats. A direct link between lipid metabolism dysregulation and obesity-associated diseases has been implicated. However, the understanding of such pathophysiology in companion animals is limited. This review aims to address the role of lipid metabolism in various metabolic disorders associated with obesity, emphasizing the involvement of the gut microbiota.
The study investigates the impact of oral-fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on the microbiomes of fifty-four dogs with chronic gastrointestinal issues. Results showed an increase in beneficial bacteria like Butyricicoccus and Faecalibacterium post-FMT, with microbiome changes influenced by diet and antibiotic history, highlighting the potential of FMT in modulating canine gut health.
This study explores the effects of fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) in domestic cats with chronic digestive issues using oral capsules containing lyophilized stool. Changes in bacterial composition, including shifts in Clostridium, Collinsella, and Escherichia, were observed post-FMT, as well as donors sharing 13% of their bacterial variants with recipientsThe study suggests that FMT outcomes are influenced by the recipient's symptoms, diet, and donor microbiome.
This clinical trial evaluated the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on dogs with tylosin-responsive enteropathy (TRE), focusing on clinical symptoms, fecal consistency, and microbiome composition. The trial had four phases, including screening, re-introduction of tylosin, treatment with FMT or placebo, and a follow-up. Both FMT and placebo groups showed improved microbiome diversity after treatment. On average, 30.4% of donor bacterial strains engrafted in FMT recipients.
This study explores the species-level composition of the fecal microbiome in 286 healthy dogs in North America using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Researchers identified 23 bacterial species in the core microbiome, which made up 75% of the microbiome on average. This study highlights how factors like diet, geographic region, and body weight influenced microbiome diversity.
Obesity is a prevalent chronic disease that has significant negative impacts on humans and our companion animals, including dogs and cats. Obesity occurs with multiple comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and osteoarthritis in dogs and cats. A direct link between lipid metabolism dysregulation and obesity-associated diseases has been implicated. However, the understanding of such pathophysiology in companion animals is limited. This review aims to address the role of lipid metabolism in various metabolic disorders associated with obesity, emphasizing the involvement of the gut microbiota.
The study investigates the impact of oral-fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on the microbiomes of fifty-four dogs with chronic gastrointestinal issues. Results showed an increase in beneficial bacteria like Butyricicoccus and Faecalibacterium post-FMT, with microbiome changes influenced by diet and antibiotic history, highlighting the potential of FMT in modulating canine gut health.
This study found that individual differences in microbiota composition significantly influence how dietary fiber impacts colitis sensitivity. Personalized microbiota profiles can determine whether dietary fiber will have a protective or harmful effect on colitis.
This study investigates the role of the oral microbiome in Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a persistent inflammatory condition in cats. Researchers analyzed plaque samples from cats with FCGS, healthy cats, and cats with periodontitis or tooth resorption. Results showed significant microbiome imbalances (dysbiosis) in cats with FCGS, with notable differences in bacterial diversity across oral conditions. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the bacterial changes in FCGS and may help in improving diagnosis and treatment for this condition.
This study used Hi-C proximity ligation with shotgun sequencing to retrieve metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the fecal microbiomes of two domestic cats (Felis catus). The genomes were assessed for completeness and contamination, classified taxonomically, and annotated for putative antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes.
This study explores the effects of fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) in domestic cats with chronic digestive issues using oral capsules containing lyophilized stool. Changes in bacterial composition, including shifts in Clostridium, Collinsella, and Escherichia, were observed post-FMT, as well as donors sharing 13% of their bacterial variants with recipientsThe study suggests that FMT outcomes are influenced by the recipient's symptoms, diet, and donor microbiome.
This pilot study evaluated the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using oral capsules in dogs with diarrhea. Five dogs were monitored for four months, and fecal consistency improved in two of the three dogs with diarrhea, with stable Bristol scale values after treatment. The microbiome gradually shifted toward a healthier balance, and the capsules' influence persisted throughout the study.
This study delves into the connection between gut health and diabetes in dogs. By analyzing the gut microbiome of healthy and diabetic dogs, researchers identified key differences in bacterial communities, potentially leading to innovative prevention and treatment strategies for canine diabetes.
This study investigates the blood microbiome in healthy dogs and dogs with chronic gastroenteropathies. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 18 healthy and 19 sick dogs, and the bacterial DNA was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed significant differences in the microbiome diversity between the two groups, with evidence suggesting bacterial translocation from the gut to the bloodstream. This research highlights the potential of using the blood microbiome as a diagnostic tool for monitoring gastrointestinal diseases in dogs.
This study investigated the bacteria, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and blood profiles in dogs with and without oral masses. In dogs with oral cancer or metastasis, higher levels of inflammatory markers, such as CRP and altered blood ratios, were observed compared to healthy dogs. Bacterial differences were noted, with Neisseria spp. being most common in healthy dogs, while Escherichia spp. increased in dogs with metastasis. The findings suggest a link between bacterial changes and inflammation in dogs with oral cancer, highlighting the need for further research on the relationship between specific bacteria, CRP, and cancer types.
This study provides a fecal microbiome dataset for healthy domestic cats, examining how age, diet, and living environment affect microbiome composition. Thirty core bacterial genera were identified, with Prevotella, Bacteroides, and Blautia among the most abundant. These comparisons of the microbiome across age, diet, and living conditions provides valuable insights for veterinarians, pet owners, and pet-related industries.
Antibiotics cause profound fecal microbiome alterations. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) administered orally or per enema on fecal microbiome recovery after tylosin treatment of healthy dogs.
A study to examine efficacy and toleration of oral capsule FMT treatment in dogs with atopic dermatitis.
Chronic enteropathies are common gastrointestinal diseases in domestic dogs characterised by long-term duration, often impairing quality of life both for pets and owners. In this work, we report the encouraging results of a faecal transplantation on a 9-year-old dog suffering from chronic enteropathy for the last 3 years.
In dogs, antimicrobial therapy for Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) is based solely on metronidazole, leaving limited treatment options in case of recurrent disease. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been successfully used in humans with recurrent CDI, whereas the usefulness of this approach is largely unknown in dogs. In the present study, a dog with a chronic-recurring diarrhea was treated with FMT via colonoscopy. The present research suggested that FMT could be a useful tool to treat recurrent CDI in dogs.
In canine medicine, FMT administered via enema seems to be beneficial in acute gastrointestinal disorders. Repeat FMT treatments shortened duration to return of formed feces and hospital stay in puppies with parvovirus infections. In addition, a single FMT was superior to metronidazole in the treatment of acute enteritis. The effects of FMT in chronic gastrointestinal disorders are much less well documented, although the existing data consisting of case reports and small case series seem to document that the technique may be beneficial in some instances. However, more data are needed to define which canine patients could be helped by FMT.
In human medicine, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. It has also been tested as a treatment for multiple gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, only a few studies have focused on the changes in the microbiome following FMT for canine IBD. Here, we performed FMT in nine dogs with IBD using the fecal matter of healthy dogs and investigated the subsequent changes in the fecal microbiome and clinical signs.
The aim of this study was to characterize differences in fecal consistency, and fecal microbiota and metabolome profiles in dogs with acute diarrhea (AD) treated with either fecal microbiota transplantation as enema (FMT; n = 11) or oral metronidazole (MET; n = 7) for 7 days and observed for 28 days. Dogs treated with FMT had improved fecal consistency moreover MET dogs and their fecal microbiome and metabolome were clustered closer to the healthy control at day 28.
This study investigated the impact of consuming a commercial E. coli-targeting bacteriophage cocktail on the gut microbiome of healthy adults. In a placebo-controlled trial, participants consumed phages for 28 days. While phage consumption reduced E. coli levels, it did not significantly disrupt overall gut microbiome diversity. However, specific bacterial populations shifted, including increases in beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria. Inflammatory markers and lipid metabolism remained largely unchanged, except for a small decrease in interleukin-4. These findings suggest that bacteriophages can selectively target specific gut bacteria without broadly disrupting the microbial community.
A study on the effects of SCFP on fecal characteristics, apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility (ATTD), fecal fermentative end-products, fecal microbiota, immune responses, and diet palatability were tested.
This case study reports the successful use of oral fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in an 8-month-old French bulldog. After receiving fecal material from a healthy donor, the dog's stool consistency and frequency normalized within 2-3 days, and tests for C. difficile antigen and toxins were negative. The findings suggest that oral FMT may be an effective treatment for C. difficile-induced colitis in dogs and could have broader applications for other gastrointestinal diseases.
This study compared the effects of probiotics versus autologous fecal microbiome transplantation (aFMT) on gut microbiome recovery after antibiotic use in mice and humans. Probiotics delayed gut microbiome and gene expression recovery, while aFMT resulted in a rapid and near-complete recovery. These findings suggest that probiotics may hinder post-antibiotic gut recovery, highlighting the need for alternative approaches like aFMT or personalized probiotics.
Examining diarrhea caused by parvovirus infections in dogs and lowering both the length of treatment and mortality rates through modification of the microbiome.
"Several clinical trials and experimental studies strongly suggest a place for Saccharomyces boulardii as a biotherapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of several gastrointestinal diseases. S. boulardii mediates responses resembling the protective effects of the normal healthy gut flora. The multiple mechanisms of action of S. boulardii and its properties may explain its efficacy and beneficial effects in acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases that have been confirmed by clinical trials. "