Active bacterial communities of pig fecal microbiota transplantation suspension prepared and preserved under different conditions

Current perspectives on fecal microbiota transplantation in inflammatory bowel disease

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic modality within the domain of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While FMT has secured approval and demonstrated efficacy in addressing recurrent and refractory Clostridioides difficile infection, its application in IBD remains an area of active exploration and research. The current status of FMT in IBD reflects a nuanced landscape, with ongoing investigations delving into its effectiveness, safety and optimal implementation. Early-stage clinical trials and observational studies have provided insights into the potential of FMT to modulate the dysbiotic gut microbiota associated with IBD, aiming to mitigate inflammation and promote mucosal healing. However, considerable complexities persist, including variations in donor selection, treatment protocols and outcome assessments. Challenges in standardizing FMT protocols for IBD treatment are compounded by the dynamic nature of the gut microbiome and the heterogeneity of IBD itself. Despite these challenges, enthusiasm for FMT in IBD emanates from its capacity to address gut microbial dysbiosis, signifying a paradigm shift towards more comprehensive approaches in IBD management. As ongoing research progresses, an enhanced understanding of FMT's role in IBD therapy is anticipated. This article synthesizes the current status of FMT in IBD, elucidating the attendant challenges and aspiring towards the refinement of its application for improved patient outcomes.

Effects of Different Preparation Methods on Microbiota Composition of Fecal Suspension

Fecal microbiota transplantation is an emerging disease-modifying therapy. The viability of the microbiome in feces and its successful transfer depends on the preparation of fecal microbiota suspension. However, currently, no standard operation procedure is proposed for fecal suspension preparation. This study aims to compare the effect of different preparation methods on the composition of fecal microbiota composition in the rat. Four methods were used to collect the fecal suspension from fresh rat fecal (Group A), including stirring with normal saline (Group B), stirring with normal saline and then standing (Group C), stirring with normal saline and filtered with gauze (Group D), and stirring with normal saline and centrifuged (Group E). 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rDNA) sequencing technology was used to analyze the microbiota diversity and composition of each group of samples. Compared with fresh feces, the bacterial richness of the fecal suspension obtained by the four methods was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The structural similarity with fresh fecal microbiota from high to low is groups B, D, C, and E. All four methods changed the microbiota structure to varying degrees, thus may affect the effect of FMT. In conclusion, choosing different methods to prepare fecal suspensions may help to better optimize the application of FMT.

Evaluation of Bacterial Composition and Viability of Equine Feces after Processing for Transplantation

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used empirically for decades in equine medicine to treat intestinal dysbiosis but evidence-based information is scarce. This in vitro study aimed at assessing the effect of a commonly used pre-FMT processing method on the bacterial composition and viability of the fecal filtrate. Three samples of fresh equine manure (T₀) were processed identically: the initial manure was mixed with 1 L of lukewarm water and chopped using an immersion blender to obtain a mixture (T₁), which was left uncovered during 30 min (T₂) and percolated through a sieve to obtain a fecal filtrate (T₃). Samples were taken throughout the procedure (Tn) and immediately stored at 4 °C until processing. The 16S rDNA amplicon profiling associated with propidium monoazide treatment was performed on each sample to select live bacteria. Analyses of α and β diversity and main bacterial populations and quantitative (qPCR) analysis were performed and statistically compared (significance p < 0.05) between time points (T₀-T₃). No significant differences in ecological indices or mean estimated total living bacteria were found in the final fecal filtrate (T₃) in regard to the original manure (T₀); however, relative abundances of some minor genera (Fibrobacter, WCHB1-41_ge and Akkermansia) were significantly different in the final filtrate. In conclusion, the results support the viability of the major bacterial populations in equine feces when using the described pre-FMT protocol.

Effect of wastewater treatment plant discharge on the bacterial community in a receiving river

The effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is an important water resource for some rivers in regions with relatively low precipitation, which may pose ecological risks. Various pollutants and microorganisms are discharged into rivers, along with the WWTP effluent, but this process has not been thoroughly studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of WWTP effluent on the bacterial community in the sediment and water column of an urban river and to identify the relationship between the total and active bacterial communities. Five sites were sampled in the river, including the most upstream site of the river (Up-most), 200 m upstream of the WWTP (Up-200), at the point of effluent discharge of the WWTP (Eff-pl) and 50 m (Down-50) and 1000 m (Down-1000) downstream of the WWTP. Compared with the two upstream sites (Up-most and Up-200), the bacterial species composition of Eff-pl was significantly different (p < 0.05) in both the sediment and water columns, while the bacterial species composition at Down-1000 was significantly different (p < 0.05) in the sediment but not in the water. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Verrucomicrobiota was significantly different (p < 0.05) at Eff-pl in both the sediment and water columns compared with that at the upstream sites. The shared bacterial species between the DNA and RNA 16 S rRNA analyses were only 45.5-62.2% and 43.2-52.3% for the sediment and water, respectively. Accordingly, WWTP effluent drainage significantly alters (p < 0.05) the bacterial composition in the receiving river but can be recovered in water within a short distance. However, in sediment, a longer recovery space is probably needed. Analyses of the combination of total and active bacterial compositions are recommended to evaluate the ecological consequences of WWTP effluent drainage on the bacterial composition.

Growth performance, bone mineralization, nutrient digestibility, and fecal microbial composition of multi-enzyme-supplemented low-nutrient diets for growing-finishing pigs

A study evaluated the effects of adding multi-enzyme mixture to diets deficient in net energy (NE), standardized ileal digestible (SID) amino acids (AA), standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P, and Ca on growth performance, bone mineralization, nutrient digestibility, and fecal microbial composition of grow-finish pigs. A total of 300 pigs (initial body weight [BW] = 29.2 kg) were housed by sex and BW in 45 pens of 7 or 6 pigs and fed 5 diets in a randomized complete block design. Diets were positive control (PC), and negative control 1 (NC1) or negative control 2 (NC2) without or with multi-enzyme mixture. The multi-enzyme mixture supplied at least 1,800, 1,244, 6,600, and 1,000 units of xylanase, β -glucanase, arabinofuranosidase, and phytase per kilogram of diet, respectively. The PC was adequate in all nutrients. The NC1 diet had lower content NE, SID AA, STTD P, and Ca than PC diet by about 7%, 7%, 32%, and 13%, respectively. The NC2 diet had lower NE, SID AA, STTD P, and Ca than PC diet by 7%, 7%, 50%, and 22%, respectively. The diets were fed in four phases based on BW: Phase 1: 29-45 kg, Phase 2: 45-70 kg, Phase 3: 70-90 kg, and Phase 4: 90-120 kg. Nutrient digestibility, bone mineralization, and fecal microbial composition were determined at the end of Phase 1. Pigs fed PC diet had greater (P < 0.05) overall G:F than those fed NC1 diet or NC2 diet. Multi-enzyme mixture increased (P < 0.05) overall G:F, but the G:F of the multi-enzyme mixture-supplemented diets did not reach (P < 0.05) that of PC diet. Multi-enzyme mixture tended to increase (P = 0.08) femur breaking strength. Multi-enzyme mixture increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD of GE for the NC2 diet, but unaffected the ATTD of GE for the NC1 diet. Multi-enzyme mixture decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of the Cyanobacteria and increased (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Butyricicoccus in feces. Thus, the NE, SID AA, STTD P, and Ca could be lowered by about 7%, 7%, 49%, and 22%, respectively, in multi-enzyme mixture-supplemented diets without negative effects on bone mineralization of grow-finish pigs. However, multi-enzyme mixture supplementation may not fully restore G:F of the grow-finish pigs fed diets that have lower NE and SID AA contents than recommended by 7%. Since an increase in content of Butyricicoccus in intestine is associated with improved gut health, addition of the multi-enzyme mixture in diets for pigs can additionally improve their gut health.