Immunomodulatory effect of Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112 supplementation in puppies vaccinated against canine parvovirus

Abstract

Bacillus toyonensis is a probiotic microorganism that for decades has been used in animal nutrition around the world. The objective of this work was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of oral B. toyonensis supplementation in dogs vaccinated against canine parvovirus. Puppies were randomly selected and divided in two groups, one received B. toyonensis at a concentration of 2x108 viable spores per day and another group without supplementation was left as control. The puppies were vaccinated against canine parvovirus type 2. B. toyonensis supplementation was efficient in stimulating specific IgG for parvovirus with titers of 2, 3, and 2.5-fold higher than controls at 7, 21, and 35 pos-vaccination days respectively. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from dogs were cultured and stimulated with B. toyonensis DNA, vegetative cell and spores. The mRNA transcription of cytokines IL-4, IL-17, and IFN-γ up modulated by the stimuli. Thus, we conclude in this study that B. toyonensis supplementation may amplify the vaccine immune response against canine parvovirus.