2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

The results suggest that hypertriglyceridemia, hyperproteinemia, and decreased PCV can significantly affect the results obtained by various PBGMs. Clarification of the causes of errors in glucose measurements should lead to more accurate assessment of disease and appropriate glucose control and treatment for diabetic dogs. Previous studies have shown a relationship between mucosal bacteria and host responses in cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and lymphoma (LSA). However, these earlier studies have not investigated the specific microbial etiologic factors nor the selective recruitment of mucosal tumor-infiltrating immune (CD11b+) cells which may promote tumor progression. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between pro-inflammatory microbiota (including Fusobacterium spp., Helicobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae) and mucosal CD11b+ cells in cats with small cell LSA vs. IBD. A retrospective analysis of cats diagnosed with intestinal LSA (n = 14) or IBD (n = 14) from 2010-2015 was performed. Following detailed diagnostic evaluation and confirmation of a histopathologic diagnosis, the mucosal microbiota of endoscopic intestinal biopsies of IBD and LSA cats was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) targeting the 16S rRNA genes of select pro-inflammatory microbiota. Host responses to microbial dysbiosis were studied using immunohistochemistry to identify cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa expressing intestinal NF-kB (p65) and CD11b+. Results indicated that most IBD/ LSA cats were middle aged or older having chronic gastrointestinal signs of several months duration. Analysis by FISH showed that mucosal bacteria (EUB) were uncommonly observed in the duodenum of diseased cats. The numbers of mucosal Bacteroides spp. and Clostridium spp. were increased (P < 0.05) in IBD cats as compared to cats with LSA. Conversely, total numbers of Fusobacterium spp. were increased (P < 0.05) in colonic tissues of cats with LSA vs. IBD (LSA: median 30 [range 0-378]; IBD: median 9 [range 0-346]). Moreover, the numbers of Fusobacterium spp. found within adherent mucus of colons in cats with LSA were increased (P ≤ 0.05) relative to other mucosal compartments. Mucosal cells expressing NF-kB and CD11b+ were increased (P < 0.05) in intestines of cats with LSA vs. IBD suggesting the presence of a pro-inflammatory microenvironment. In conclusion, alterations exist in the composition of the mucosal microbiota in cats with LSA and IBD. The intestine of cats with LSA is selectively enriched with bacterial species, including Fusobacterium spp. These microbiota may trigger recruitment of tumor-infiltrating immune (CD11b+) cells contributing to a pro-inflammatory environment that is conducive for intestinal LSA progression. Diarrhea and other sequelae of gastrointestinal hyperpermeability are common complications of antibiotic therapy. Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading bacterium, positively associated with gastrointestinal epithelial health and decreased permeability. The objectives of this study were to measure effects of Akkermansia administration on markers of gastrointestinal permeability following antibiotic administration.