Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) restores gut microbiota by transferring stool from healthy donors to patients with gastrointestinal diseases. In humans and dogs, FMT has been shown to benefit acute diarrhea, chronic enteropathy, and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. However, research on fecal preparation methods, particularly in veterinary medicine, remains limited.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of freeze-thaw cycles, oxygen exposure, and gastric acidity on bacterial viability in canine feces.
Methods: Mock fecal samples were prepared by sterilizing donor feces and adding a bacterial mixture (E. coli, E. faecium, C. perfringens, and B. bifidum; 7–8 log CFU/g). Glycerol and water were incorporated, and capsules were created using the Tend-Health CAD device. Bacterial viability was assessed at 0, 7, and 90 days post-encapsulation.
Results: Freezing significantly reduced bacterial viability, particularly for facultative anaerobes such as E. coli (Day 14: 3.50 log CFU/g; Day 90: 3.81 log CFU/g decrease, p< 0.001) and E. faecium (Day 14: 0.63 log CFU/g; Day 90: 0.65 log CFU/g decrease, p< 0.001). Anaerobic bacteria were undetectable after 7 days. Oxygen exposure and gastric acidity had minimal effects on bacterial survival.
Conclusions: Freezing significantly impacts bacterial viability, while oxygen exposure does not, eliminating the need for an anaerobic chamber during encapsulation. Acid-resistant capsules effectively withstand gastric pH, providing a practical method for producing oral FMT capsules that maintain bacterial integrity, offering a promising approach to treat gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the diseases for which fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is used and the expected benefits.
Upon completion, participants will be able to prepare FMT capsules under appropriate air conditions that do not affect bacterial number.
Upon completion, participants will be able to explain which storage conditions have the greatest impact on the bacterial count in FMT capsules.
