2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Microbiota and SCFA profile alterations were noted based on body condition. Further study is warranted to determine the impact of these changes on inflammation and metabolic disorders. Canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immunemediated enteropathy likely triggered by environmental and immunoregulatory factors in genetically susceptible dogs. Previous studies suggest a pivotal role for intestinal bacteria in disease pathogenesis since luminal microbial composition is markedly altered at diagnosis. It has been suggested that probiotic bacteria are effective and promising agents for the treatment of IBD in humans and animals. However, the effects of probiotic bacteria that directly interact with the host's resident intestinal microbiota are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of multi-strain probiotic VSL#3 supplementation (Visbiome; Exegi Pharma) at a dose of 50 billion bacteria/kg/day on the fecal and intestinal mucosal microbiota in dogs with IBD. Nineteen dogs diagnosed with moderate-to-severe IBD (CIBDAI ≥ 6) were randomized to receive standard IBD therapy (ie, elimination diet and prednisone) with or without probiotic VSL#3 for 8 weeks. Dogs were evaluated clinically at 0, 3, and 8 weeks and endoscopically and histopathologically at 0 and 8 weeks. The fecal and mucosal microbiota were investigated before and during treatment using 16S rRNA based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), respectively. Both cohorts of IBD dogs showed a reduction in GI signs after 8 weeks of therapy compared to baseline CIBDAI scores (P < 0.05). Using qPCR, the placebo group failed to show significant changes in any of the bacterial groups analyzed. In contrast, VSL#3 treated dogs showed a significant (P = 0.001) increase in total lactic acid bacteria (Bifidobacteria, Streptococci, Lactobacilli) at treatment weeks 3 and 8 versus baseline values. Bifidobacteria were also significantly (P = 0.018) increased at 3 and 8 weeks post-VSL#3 treatment. FISH analysis showed that VSL#3 altered the number and spatial distribution of most colonic mucosal bacterial groups including total bacteria and the number of Bifidobacteria, Fecalibacteria, Lactobacilli, Streptococci, and Enterobacteriaceae (P < 0.05 for each). The number of mucusladen and attaching Bifidobacteria and Streptococci were also significantly (P < 0.05) increased in dogs receiving VSL#3. In conclusion, probiotic therapy of IBD dogs with VSL#3 increases the number of fecal and mucosal probiotic genera, especially the lactic acid bacteria. IBD dogs receiving standard therapy (placebo) showed little change in the composition of microbial communities despite exhibiting clinical improvement. Chronic enteropathy (CE) is a multi-factorial disease, which involves aberrant immune responses to commensal bacteria or dietary antigens. Although macrophages have been shown to play an important role in human disease very little information is available in dogs. CD163 is a scavenger receptor specific for macrophages, and has been detected in canine duodenum. The aim of this study was to determine if intestinal CD163 positive cell (CD163 + ) populations alter after successful treatment of CE. Calprotectin was used as an additional marker for macrophages. Dogs were prospectively enrolled and underwent standard diagnosis and treatment trial for CE. Duodenal biopsies were taken before and after long-term resolution of