Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fecal transplant effects on diarrhea and gut bacteria in foals under
By Bell, Jillian et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Charles Sturt University School of Agricultural, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on clinical outcomes and fecal microbiota of foals with diarrhea.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 foals under 6 months old with diarrhea were treated with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to see if it would help improve their gut health and symptoms. While the treatment did not significantly improve survival or the resolution of diarrhea compared to a control group, it did show some positive effects on their white blood cell counts and heart rates over time. The foals receiving FMT had changes in their gut bacteria that suggest it might be beneficial. Overall, FMT appears to be a safe option for managing diarrhea in foals.
People also search for: foal diarrhea treatment · fecal microbiota transplantation foals · how to help foal with diarrhea
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diarrhea in foals can be associated with disruption of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis). Effective management of intestinal dysbiosis in foals has not been demonstrated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in foals with diarrhea influences the intestinal microbiota and improves clinical and clinicopathological outcomes. ANIMALS: Twenty-five foals <6 months of age with diarrhea and systemic inflammatory response syndrome at 3 veterinary hospitals. METHODS: A prospective randomized placebo-controlled cohort study. Foals in the FMT group (n = 19) or control group (n = 9) received FMT or electrolyte solution once daily for 3 days. Fecal samples were obtained on Day 0 (D0), D1, D2, D3, and D7. Within group and between group data analyses were performed for clinical, clinicopathological, and microbiota variables. RESULTS: Treatment had no effect on survival (FMT 79%; control 100%, P = .3) or resolution of diarrhea (FMT 68%; control 55%, P = .4). On D3, the white blood cell count of the FMT group was lower than the control group (D3 FMT group median 6.4 g/L [5-8.3 g/L]; D3 control group median 14.3 g/L [6.7-18.9 g/L] P = .04). Heart rate reduced over time in the FMT group (D0 median 80 bpm [60-150 bpm]; D2 median 70 bpm [52-110 bpm] [P = .005]; and D3 median 64, [54-102 bpm] [P < .001]). Phylum Verrucomicrobiota, genus Akkermansia, and family Prevotellaceae were enriched in the FMT group on D1 (linear discriminate analysis > 4). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In foals with diarrhea, FMT appears safe and can be associated with some clinical and microbiota changes suggestive of beneficial effect.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39266472/