Search Results (9)

This exploratory study presents the first metagenomic assessment of the gut microbiome in domestic cats from Cali, Colombia. Fecal samples were collected from 10 healthy, sterilized domestic cats, aged 8 months to over 2 years, with variation in sex (7 females, 3 males), diet (processed or raw), and outdoor access (5 with, 5 without). Using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding and pooled shotgun metagenomic sequencing, the study characterized the taxonomic composition and functional potential of the feline gut microbiome. Dominant phyla included Bacillota and Bacteroidota, with substantial inter-individual variation. Peptoclostridium was the most consistently abundant genus, while Megamonas and Megasphaera showed higher variability. Shotgun analysis detected antibiotic resistance genes (ErmG, ErmQ) and virulence factors (pfoA, plc, colA, nanJ, nagI) in Clostridium perfringens, highlighting potential zoonotic risk. The composition of the gut microbiota was influenced primarily by diet and outdoor access, while age and gender had more moderate effects. The study concludes that lifestyle and environmental factors play a key role in shaping the gut microbiome of domestic cats. We recommend further longitudinal and larger-scale studies to better understand the dynamics of feline microbiota and their implications for animal and public health within a One Health framework. Full article

Thirty-two healthy adult dogs (16 males and 16 females) were fed control kibble diets for one month, followed by six months (Weeks 0 to 25) of diets containing either 0, 4, 6, or 8% cultured protein derived from Methylococcus capsulatus (FeedKind Pet^®, FK), then they were fed control diets (0% FK) for a further two months (Weeks 25 to 34). The diets were isonitrogenous, isolipidic, and isocaloric and stage- and age-specific. The dogs were assessed for overall health, weight gain, and body condition score (BCS). Blood samples were collected 1 week prior to randomization, during acclimation, then in Weeks 5, 13, 25, 30, 32, and 34 for hematology, coagulation, and clinical chemistry; urine was collected according to the same time schedule for urinalysis. Feces were assessed for parasite load and presence of occult blood during Weeks 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, and 25. Fecal samples were collected during acclimation and Weeks 25 and 34 for fecal microbiome analysis and in Week 25 for apparent total gastrointestinal tract digestibility (ATTD). All dogs maintained a healthy weight and BCS throughout the study. Hematology parameters were within normal limits at the end of each phase of the study. With the exception of a decrease in serum phosphorus level and in urine pH in all groups at the end of the study, urine and serum chemistry results were within normal limits at the end of each phase. ATTD values for organic matter, protein, and energy exceeded 80%, whilst digestibility values for copper were around 20%. The fecal microbiome was dominated by Firmicutes. Alpha diversity increased during the safety phase before returning to baseline levels during the washout phase. The dominant genera in all groups were Megamonas, Peptoclostridium, Turicibacter, Catenibacterium, Fusobacterium, Romboutsia, and Blautia. The study has shown that the inclusion of cultured protein at up to 8% of the total diet of adult dogs can provide sufficient nutrition and is safe with no long-term effects on a range of health parameters. Full article

Brewer’s yeast has high nutritional value and contains bioactive compounds that may promote health. Functionalized canola meal (FCM) is a high-fiber ingredient that has been proposed as a carrier for brewer’s yeast. The objective of this experiment was to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of diets containing yeast-enriched FCM and test their effects on the fecal characteristics and microbiota, skin measures, and serum oxidative stress markers of adult dogs. Twelve dogs were fed four extruded kibble diets (control (no FCM or yeast), FCM + low yeast dose, FCM + medium yeast dose, and FCM + high yeast dose) in a replicated 4x4 LSD. Dogs fed yeast-enriched FCM had greater wet fecal output (~15% greater than control). The ATTD of DM, OM, and fat was lower in the diets containing FCM, although the values remained >80% for all macronutrients. The yeast-enriched FCM altered the relative abundance of a few bacterial genera (Eubacterium brachy, Peptoclostridium, Ruminococcus gnavus) and fecal phenol and indole concentrations. Other fecal characteristics, metabolites, bacterial diversity indices, skin measures, or oxidative stress markers were not affected. These findings suggest that yeast-enriched FCM can be incorporated into canine diets without compromising stool quality or nutrient digestibility and may affect microbial metabolism. Full article

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of L-β-galactoglucan on growth performance, palatability, and health condition of dogs. Methods: A total of 32 healthy beagle dogs (2.0 ± 0.5 yr; 13.2 ± 2.1 kg) were randomly assigned into four treatment groups, with 8 dogs in each group. The dogs were fed basal diets supplemented with 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, or 1% L-β-galactoglucan. Results: The results showed that the feed intake ratio of the dogs in the Low_Gal (0.25%) group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) as compared with the control (Con) group. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of the Mid_Gal (0.5%) group showed a trend toward lower levels as compared with the control (Con) group (p = 0.069). Compared with the control (Con) group, the alpha diversity of the bacterial flora of the Shannon index of the Mid_Gal (0.5%) group was significantly higher (p < 0.05). The Simpson index was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and a PCoA indicated a significant change in the gut microbiota structure among the four groups (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Blautia and Peptoclostridium in the Low_Gal (0.25%) group was significantly higher as compared with the control (Con) group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results indicated that L-β-galactoglucan exhibited a positive effect on improving the palatability and gut microbiota of dogs. Full article

Amaranthus hypochondriacus is rich in nutrients and represents a feed resource with significant potential. This experiment aimed to study the effects of different proportions of Amaranthus hypochondriacus stem and leaf powder (AHSL) on intestinal digestive enzyme activities, cecal volatile fatty acids, and the microbiota of broilers. A total of 288 one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to the control diet group and the 3%, 6%, and 9% AHSL diet group for days 0–21. Subsequently, the 3%, 6%, and 9% AHSL diets were switched to 5%, 10%, and 15% AHSL diets for days 22–42. The results demonstrated that the dietary inclusion of AHSL significantly affected sucrase activity in the jejunal mucosa (p < 0.05). The 5% AHSL group exhibited the highest sucrase activity, followed by the control group, both of which showed significantly higher activity compared to the 10% and 15% AHSL groups (p < 0.05). The cecal pH in the 5%, 10%, and 15% AHSL groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The contents of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate in the cecum of the 10% and 15% AHSL groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The addition of AHSL had no significant effect on the alpha diversity of cecum microorganisms. The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG_005 and Lactonifactor was significantly higher in the 10% AHSL group compared to the control group, whereas the 15% AHSL group had a significantly higher relative abundance of Clostridium_sensus_tricto12, Peptoclostridium, Anaerofilum, and Peptococcaceae. In summary, the inclusion of 5% AHSL in the diet enhances sucrase activity in the jejunum of broilers, while 10% or 15% AHSL increases the volatile fatty acid content and reduces the pH value in the cecum, without adverse effects on the cecal microbiota. Full article

Our previous study demonstrated that moderate inhibition of intestinal autophagy was beneficial to alleviate early weaning stress in piglets, but the detailed mechanism behind this was unclear. Microbiota-mediated enterocyte autophagy helps maintain intestinal homeostasis. This study investigated the effects of inhibition or activation of autophagy in intestinal microbial community compositions and metabolite profiles in piglets. Eighteen 24-day-old weaned piglets were divided into three groups (each treatment of six piglets) and treated daily with rapamycin (RAPA), chloroquine (CQ) or a control volume of normal saline (CON group). Before the formal trial, the piglets were allowed to acclimatize for 3 days, and then the trial period was 14 days. Collected samples from the ileum and colon underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolite analysis. Significant differences in microbial composition were observed in both the ileum and colon of the RAPA and CQ groups compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). In addition, the relative levels of abundance of Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium, Dialister, Selenomonas and Oceanobacillus in the ileum and Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, unidentified_Lachnospiraceae, Akkermansia, Sharpea, Peptococcus, Pseudoalteromonas, Peptoclostridium and unidentified_Acidobacteria in the colon were improved in piglets fed the RAPA diet, whereas the relative levels of abundance of Turicibacter, Rickettsiella and Sarcina in the ileum and Roseburia and Kroppenstedtia in the colon were enhanced in the CQ group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, metabolomic analysis showed that there were significant differences in metabolites among all groups (p < 0.05), and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differential metabolites were mainly enriched in the ABC transporters and biosynthesis of amino acids pathways. Furthermore, these metabolites were closely related to differential microorganisms (p < 0.05). Overall, autophagy inhibition regulates the composition of intestinal microorganisms and their metabolites, and these differential metabolites are significantly correlated with differential intestinal microorganisms, which may in turn affect the production performance of weaned piglets. Full article

There is growing interest in the application of fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) in small animal medicine, but there are few published studies that have tested their effects in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Here we use 16S rRNA gene sequencing to examine fecal microbiome changes in 46 domestic cats with chronic digestive issues that received FMTs using lyophilized stool that was delivered in oral capsules. Fecal samples were collected from FMT recipients before and two weeks after the end of the full course of 50 capsules, as well as from their stool donors (N = 10), and other healthy cats (N = 113). The fecal microbiomes of FMT recipients varied with host clinical signs and dry kibble consumption, and shifts in the relative abundances of Clostridium, Collinsella, Megamonas, Desulfovibrio and Escherichia were observed after FMT. Overall, donors shared 13% of their bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with FMT recipients and the most commonly shared ASVs were classified as Prevotella 9, Peptoclostridium, Bacteroides, and Collinsella. Lastly, the fecal microbiomes of cats with diarrhea became more similar to the microbiomes of age-matched and diet-matched healthy cats compared to cats with constipation. Overall, our results suggest that microbiome responses to FMT may be modulated by the FMT recipient’s initial presenting clinical signs, diet, and their donor’s microbiome. Full article

In dogs, the use of probiotics for preventive or therapeutic purposes has become increasingly common, however the evidence for beneficial effects are often limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding a diet containing Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 on faecal quality, faecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, cobalamin and folate as well as faecal microbiome in adult dogs. Eleven healthy client owned dogs were enrolled in a randomized, double-blinded crossover study. All dogs were fed the same balanced diet with or without incorporation of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 for 16 days each. Blood and faecal samples were collected at baseline and during the feeding trial and owners recorded daily faecal scores. An Enterococcus spp. ASV, likely representing E. faecium NCIMB 10415 was detected in the faecal microbiome of some dogs 18–19 days after withdrawal of oral supplementation. Inclusion of E. faecium decreased circulating cholesterol (p = 0.008) compared to baseline. There were no differences in cholesterol concentrations between diets. Owners reported 0.6 ± 0.3) days less of loose stools compared to the control diet. Comparing to baseline, both diets significantly increased faecal concentration of acetate and butyrate, decreased serum cobalamin and increased faecal microbial diversity. Decreased serum cobalamin, and increased faecal acetate correlated with decreases in the Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Blautia, and Peptoclostridium. Except for effects on circulating cholesterol and faecal score, effects were observed regardless of the addition of E. faecium. It is therefore likely that these effects can be contributed to dietary prebiotic effects on the faecal microbiome. Full article

Corn is one of the main food products in Mexico. The elaboration of corn-derived products generates wastewater with a high organic load (nejayote). Anaerobic digestion is an indicated treatment for wastewater with high organic loads. The results of this study show that the application of microaeration in the hydrolysis-fermentative reactor increased the percentage of volatile fatty acids (VFA) available in the medium by 62%. The addition of a conductive material, such as granulated activated carbon (GAC), promotes DIET (Direct interspecies electrons transfer) in the methanogenic UASB reactor increasing the methane yield by 55%. Likewise, a great diversity of exoelectrogenic bacteria, with the ability to donate electrons DIET mechanisms, were developed in the GAC biofilm, though interestingly, Peptoclostridium and Clostridium (17.3% and 12.75%, respectively) were detected with a great abundance in the GAC biofilm. Peptoclostridium has not been previously reported as a participant in DIET process. Full article