Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strains isolated from dog faeces

Perspectives and Advances in Probiotics and the Gut Microbiome in Companion Animals

As the number of households that raise dogs and cats is increasing, there is growing interest in animal health. The gut plays an important role in animal health. In particular, the microbiome in the gut is known to affect both the absorption and metabolism of nutrients and the protective functions of the host. Using probiotics on pets has beneficial effects, such as modulating the immune system, helping to reduce stress, protecting against pathogenic bacteria and developing growth performance. The goals of this review are to summarize the relationship between probiotics/the gut microbiome and animal health, to feature technology used for identifying the diversity of microbiota composition of canine and feline microbiota, and to discuss recent reports on probiotics in canines and felines and the safety issues associated with probiotics and the gut microbiome in companion animals.

Longitudinal Survey of Fecal Microbiota in Healthy Dogs Administered a Commercial Probiotic

The aim of this longitudinal microbiome study was to investigate the effects of a commercially available veterinary synbiotic product (Blackmore's® Paw DigestiCare 60™) on the fecal microbiome of healthy dogs using 16S rRNA gene microbial profiling. Fifteen healthy, privately-owned dogs participated in a 2-week trial administration of the product. Fecal samples were collected at different time points, including baseline (prior to treatment), during administration and after discontinuation of product. Large intra- and inter-individual variation was observed throughout the study, but microbiome composition at higher phylogenetic levels, alpha and beta diversity were not significantly altered after 2 weeks of probiotic administration, suggesting an absence of probiotic impact on microbial diversity. Administration of the synbiotic preparation did, however, result in transient increases in probiotic species from Enterococacceae and Streptococacceae families as well as an increase in Fusobacteria; with the fecal microbiota partially reverting to its baseline state 3-weeks after cessation of probiotic administration.

Protocol to Select Bifidobacteria from Fecal and Environmental Samples

Bifidobacteria are commensal microorganisms able to colonize several ecological niches. Since their discovery, culture-dependent methods combined with the most modern next-generation sequencing techniques have contributed to shed light on the ecological, functional and genomic features of bifidobacteria, purporting them as microorganisms with probiotic traits. Thanks to their acclaimed health-promoting effects, several members of the Bifidobacterium genus have been included in a variety of functional foods and drugs. In this context, the functional relevance of bifidobacteria in the gut explains ongoing efforts to isolate novel and potentially beneficial strains. For this purpose, development of effective and selective isolation protocols in concert with knowledge on the physiological characteristics of bifidobacterial are fundamental requirements for their recovery and discovery from their natural environments, in particular from fecal samples.

Characterization and Functional Test of Canine Probiotics

Probiotics can modulate the composition of gut microbiota and benefit the host animal health in multiple ways. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), mainly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, are well-known microbes with probiotic potential. In the present study, 88 microbial strains were isolated from canine feces and annotated. Among these, the four strains CACC517, 537, 558, and 566 were tested for probiotic characteristics, and their beneficial effects on hosts were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo; these strains exhibited antibiosis, antibiotic activity, acid and bile tolerance, and relative cell adhesion to the HT-29 monolayer cell line. Byproducts of these strains increased the viability and decreased oxidative stress in mouse and dog cell lines (RAW264.7 and DH82, respectively). Subsequently, when the probiotics were applied to the clinical trial, changes in microbial composition and relative abundance of bacterial strains were clearly observed in the experimental animals. Experimental groups before and after the application were obviously separated from PCA analysis of clinical results. Conclusively, these results could provide comprehensive understanding of the effects of probiotic strains (CACC517, 537, 558, and 566) and their industrial applications.

Methods for Isolation and Recovery of Bifidobacteria

Since their discovery, bifidobacteria have been considered to represent cornerstone commensal microorganisms in the host-microbiome interface at the intestinal level. Bifidobacteria have therefore enjoyed increasing scientific and commercial interest as a source of microorganisms with probiotic potential. However, since functional and probiotic traits are strictly strain-dependent, there is a constant need to isolate, cultivate, and characterize novel strains, activities that require the utilization of appropriate media, as well as robust isolation, cultivation, and preservation techniques. Besides, effective isolation of bifidobacteria from natural environments might require different manipulation and cultivation media and conditions depending on the specific characteristics of the sample material, the presence of competitive microbiota, the metabolic state in which bifidobacteria might be encountered within the sample and the particular metabolic traits of the bifidobacterial species adapted to such inhabitation.A wide array of culture media recipes have been described in the literature to routinely isolate and grow bifidobacteria under laboratory conditions. However, there is not a single and universally applicable medium for effective isolation, recovery, and cultivation of bifidobacteria, as each growth medium has its own particular advantages and limitations. Besides, the vast majority of these media formulations was not specifically formulated for these microorganisms, and thus information on bifidobacterial cultivation options is scarce while being scattered throughout literature. This chapter intends to serve as a resource summarizing the options to cultivate bifidobacteria that have been described to date, highlighting the main advantages and limitations of each of them.

Bifidobacterium canis sp. nov., a novel member of the Bifidobacterium pseudolongum phylogenetic group isolated from faeces of a dog (Canis lupus f. familiaris)

A fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive strain (GSD1FS^T) was isolated from a faecal sample of a 3 weeks old German Shepherd dog. The closest related taxa to isolate GSD1FS^T based on results from the EZBioCloud database were Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis ATCC 25527^T, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM 10140^T and Bifidobacterium anseris LMG 30189^T, belonging to the Bifidobacterium pseudolongum phylogenetic group. The resulting 16S rRNA gene identities (compared length of 1454 nucleotides) towards these taxa were 97.30, 97.23 and 97.09 %, respectively. The pairwise similarities of strain GSD1FS^T using argS, atpA, fusA, hsp60, pyrG, rpsC, thrS and xfp gene fragments to all valid representatives of the B. pseudolongum phylogenetic group were in the concatenated range of 83.08-88.34 %. Phylogenomic analysis based on whole-genome methods such as average nucleotide identity revealed that bifidobacterial strain GSD1FS^T exhibits close phylogenetic relatedness (88.17 %) to Bifidobacetrium cuniculi LMG 10738^T. Genotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analyses based on nine molecular markers, as well as genomic and comparative phenotypic analyses, clearly proved that the evaluated strain should be considered as representing a novel species within the B. pseudolongum phylogenetic group named as Bifidobacterium canis sp. nov. (GSD1FS^T=DSM 105923^T=LMG 30345^T=CCM 8806^T).

Food-Origin Lactic Acid Bacteria May Exhibit Probiotic Properties: Review

One of the most promising areas of development in the human nutritional field over the last two decades has been the use of probiotics and recognition of their role in human health and disease. Lactic acid-producing bacteria are the most commonly used probiotics in foods. It is well known that probiotics have a number of beneficial health effects in humans and animals. They play an important role in the protection of the host against harmful microorganisms and also strengthen the immune system. Some probiotics have also been found to improve feed digestibility and reduce metabolic disorders. They must be safe, acid and bile tolerant, and able to adhere and colonize the intestinal tract. The means by which probiotic bacteria elicit their health effects are not understood fully, but may include competitive exclusion of enteric pathogens, neutralization of dietary carcinogens, production of antimicrobial metabolites, and modulation of mucosal and systemic immune function. So far, lactic acid bacteria isolated only from the human gastrointestinal tract are recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) for use as probiotics by humans. However, more and more studies suggest that strains considered to be probiotics could be isolated from fermented products of animal origin, as well as from non-dairy fermented products. Traditional fermented products are a rich source of microorganisms, some of which may exhibit probiotic properties. They conform to the FAO/WHO recommendation, with one exception; they have not been isolated from human gastrointestinal tract. In light of extensive new scientific evidence, should the possibility of changing the current FAO/WHO requirements for the definition of probiotic bacteria be considered?

Diversity of the subspecies Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis

Strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis are well-known health-promoting probiotics used commercially. B. animalis subsp. lactis has been isolated from different sources, and little is known about animal isolates of this taxon. The aim of this study was to examine the genotypic and phenotypic diversity between B. animalis subsp. lactis strains different animal hosts including Cameroon sheep, Barbary sheep, okapi, mouflon, German shepard and to compare to BB12, food isolates and the collection strain DSM 10140. Ten strains of B. animalis subsp. lactis from different sources were characterised by phenotyping, fingerprinting, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Regardless of origin, MLST and phylogenetic analyses revealed a close relationship between strains of B. animalis subsp. lactis with commercial and animal origin with the exception of isolates from ovine cheese, mouflon and German Shepard dog. Moreover, isolates from dog and mouflon showed significant differences in fermentation profiles and peptide mass fingerprints (MALDI-TOF). Results indicated phenotypic and genotypic diversity among strains of B. animalis subsp. lactis.

A canine-specific probiotic product in treating acute or intermittent diarrhea in dogs: A double-blind placebo-controlled efficacy study

A double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study on 60 dogs recruited from a pool of canine patients visiting a veterinary practice and diagnosed with acute diarrhea was conducted. The dogs received in randomized manner either a sour-milk product containing three canine-derived Lactobacillus sp. probiotics in combination of Lactobacillus fermentum VET 9A, L. rhamnosus VET 16A, and L. plantarum VET 14A (2×10⁹cfu/ml), or placebo. Stool consistency, general well-being, and the numbers of specific pathogens in stool samples were analyzed. Our results demonstrated that the treatment with the study sour-milk product had a normalizing effect on canine stool consistency. The treatment also enhanced the well-being of the pet by maintaining appetite and may reduce vomiting. In addition, the concentrations of Clostridium perfringens and Enterococcus faecium, which typically increase during diarrhea episodes in dogs, were decreased in probiotic group feces when compared with the placebo group. Taken together, the sour-milk with the specific probiotic combination had a normalizing effect on acute diarrhea in dogs which was associated with decreased numbers of potential pathogens in the feces of probiotic-treated dogs.

Probiotic isolates from unconventional sources: a review

The use of probiotics for human and animal health is continuously increasing. The probiotics used in humans commonly come from dairy foods, whereas the sources of probiotics used in animals are often the animals’ own digestive tracts. Increasingly, probiotics from sources other than milk products are being selected for use in people who are lactose intolerant. These sources are non-dairy fermented foods and beverages, non-dairy and non-fermented foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, feces of breast-fed infants and human breast milk. The probiotics that are used in both humans and animals are selected in stages; after the initial isolation of the appropriate culture medium, the probiotics must meet important qualifications, including being non-pathogenic acid and bile-tolerant strains that possess the ability to act against pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract and the safety-enhancing property of not being able to transfer any antibiotic resistance genes to other bacteria. The final stages of selection involve the accurate identification of the probiotic species.

Understanding the canine intestinal microbiota and its modification by pro-, pre- and synbiotics - what is the evidence?

Interest in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and possibilities of its therapeutic modifications has soared over the last decade and more detailed knowledge specific to the canine microbiota at different mucosal sites including the gut is available. Probiotics, prebiotics or their combination (synbiotics) are a way of modifying the intestinal microbiota and exert effects on the host immune response. Probiotics are proposed to exert their beneficial effects through various pathways, for example production of antimicrobial peptides, enhancing growth of favourable endogenous microorganisms, competition for epithelial colonisation sites and immune‐modulatory functions. Despite widespread use of pro‐, pre‐ and synbiotics, scientific evidence of their beneficial effects in different conditions of the dog is scarce. Specific effects of different strains, their combination or their potential side‐effects have not been evaluated sufficiently. In some instances, in vitro results have been promising, but could not be transferred consistently into in vivo situations. Specific canine gastrointestinal (GI) diseases or conditions where probiotics would be beneficial, their most appropriate dosage and application have not been assessed extensively. This review summarises the current knowledge of the intestinal microbiome composition in the dog and evaluates the evidence for probiotic use in canine GI diseases to date. It wishes to provide veterinarians with evidence‐based information on when and why these products could be useful in preventing or treating canine GI conditions. It also outlines knowledge about safety and approval of commercial probiotic products, and the potential use of faecal microbial transplantation, as they are related to the topic of probiotic usage.

Bifidobacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of animals: differences and similarities

At present, the genus Bifidobacterium includes 48 species and subspecies, and this number is expected to increase. Bifidobacteria are found in different ecological niches. However, most were originally isolated from animals, mainly mammals, especially during the milk feeding period of life. Their presence in high numbers is associated with good health of the host. Moreover, bifidobacteria are often found in poultry and insects that exhibit a social mode of life (honeybees and bumblebees). This review is designed as a summary of currently known species of the genus Bifidobacterium, especially focused on their difference and similarities. The primary focus is on their occurrence in the digestive tract of animals, as well as the specificities of animal strains, with regard to their potential use as probiotics.

Microbiota and probiotics in canine and feline welfare

Dogs and cats have been cohabiting with us for thousands of years. They are the major human companions. Today, dogs and cats live in urban areas. Cats and most dogs are on high carbohydrate diets and face similar life-style challenges as the human beings. The health and well-being of companion animals, just as their owners, depends on the gut microbes. Providing a proper care and nutritionally balanced diet to companion animals is recognised as a part of our responsibility to maintain the health and well being of our pet. However, as microbiota differences may facilitate exposure to pathogens and harmful environmental influences, it is prudent to search for novel tools to protect dogs and cats and at the same time the human owners from pathogens. Specific probiotic strains and/or their defined combinations may be useful in the canine and feline nutrition, therapy, and care. Probiotic supplementations have been successful in the prevention and treatment of acute gastroenteritis, treatment of IBD, and prevention of allergy in companion animals. New challenges for probiotic applications include maintenance of obesity and overweight, urogenital tract infections, Helicobacter gastritis and parasitic infections. The probiotics of human origin appear to be among the new promising tools for the maintenance of pets' health. However, the host-derived microorganisms might be the most appropriate probiotic source. Therefore, more controlled trials are needed to characterise new and safe probiotic preparations with an impact on general health and well being as well as health maintenance in dogs and cats.

Isolation and characterization of bifidobacteria from ovine cheese

Animal products are one of the niches of bifidobacteria, a fact probably attributable to secondary contamination. In this study, 2 species of the genus Bifidobacterium were isolated by culture-dependent methods from ovine cheeses that were made from unpasteurized milk without addition of starter cultures. The isolates were identified as Bifidobacterium crudilactis and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight analysis and sequencing of phylogenetic markers (16S rRNA, hsp60, and fusA).