Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic Dogs

We used terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis to assess (1) stability of the fecal microbiota in dogs living in environments characterized by varying degrees of exposure to factors that might alter the microbiota and (2) changes in the microbiota associated with acute episodes...

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Main Authors: Julia A. Bell, Jamie J. Kopper, Judy A. Turnbull, Nicholas I. Barbu, Alice J. Murphy, Linda S. Mansfield
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2008-01-01
Series:Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/149694
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author Julia A. Bell
Jamie J. Kopper
Judy A. Turnbull
Nicholas I. Barbu
Alice J. Murphy
Linda S. Mansfield
author_facet Julia A. Bell
Jamie J. Kopper
Judy A. Turnbull
Nicholas I. Barbu
Alice J. Murphy
Linda S. Mansfield
author_sort Julia A. Bell
collection DOAJ
description We used terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis to assess (1) stability of the fecal microbiota in dogs living in environments characterized by varying degrees of exposure to factors that might alter the microbiota and (2) changes in the microbiota associated with acute episodes of diarrhea. Results showed that the healthy canine GI tract harbors potential enteric pathogens. Dogs living in an environment providing minimal exposure to factors that might alter the microbiota had similar microbiotas; the microbiotas of dogs kept in more variable environments were more variable. Substantial changes in the microbiota occurred during diarrheic episodes, including increased levels of Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium. When diet and medications of a dog having a previously stable microbiota were changed repeatedly, the microbiota also changed repeatedly. Temporal trend analysis showed directional changes in the microbiota after perturbation, a return to the starting condition, and then fluctuating changes over time.
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series Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases
spelling doaj-art-549dd0ff9a554ce59ccdf4ad7f5b99802025-08-20T03:34:20ZengWileyInterdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases1687-708X1687-70982008-01-01200810.1155/2008/149694149694Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic DogsJulia A. Bell0Jamie J. Kopper1Judy A. Turnbull2Nicholas I. Barbu3Alice J. Murphy4Linda S. Mansfield5Comparative Enteric Diseases Laboratory, National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, 181 Food Safety Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAComparative Enteric Diseases Laboratory, National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, 181 Food Safety Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAComparative Enteric Diseases Laboratory, National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, 181 Food Safety Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAComparative Enteric Diseases Laboratory, National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, 181 Food Safety Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAComparative Enteric Diseases Laboratory, National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, 181 Food Safety Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAComparative Enteric Diseases Laboratory, National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, 181 Food Safety Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAWe used terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis to assess (1) stability of the fecal microbiota in dogs living in environments characterized by varying degrees of exposure to factors that might alter the microbiota and (2) changes in the microbiota associated with acute episodes of diarrhea. Results showed that the healthy canine GI tract harbors potential enteric pathogens. Dogs living in an environment providing minimal exposure to factors that might alter the microbiota had similar microbiotas; the microbiotas of dogs kept in more variable environments were more variable. Substantial changes in the microbiota occurred during diarrheic episodes, including increased levels of Clostridium perfringens, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium. When diet and medications of a dog having a previously stable microbiota were changed repeatedly, the microbiota also changed repeatedly. Temporal trend analysis showed directional changes in the microbiota after perturbation, a return to the starting condition, and then fluctuating changes over time.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/149694
spellingShingle Julia A. Bell
Jamie J. Kopper
Judy A. Turnbull
Nicholas I. Barbu
Alice J. Murphy
Linda S. Mansfield
Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic Dogs
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases
title Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic Dogs
title_full Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic Dogs
title_fullStr Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic Dogs
title_full_unstemmed Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic Dogs
title_short Ecological Characterization of the Colonic Microbiota of Normal and Diarrheic Dogs
title_sort ecological characterization of the colonic microbiota of normal and diarrheic dogs
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/149694
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