Characterization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus MP01 and Lactobacillus plantarum MP02 and Assessment of Their Potential for the Prevention of Gastrointestinal Infections in an Experimental Canine Model

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus rhamnosus MP01 and Lactobacillus plantarum MP02, two strains isolated from canine milk. These two isolates were characterized in vitro for their survival to conditions similar to those found in the canine gastrointestinal tract, production of antimicrobial compounds, adherence to intestinal mucin, degradation of mucin, and antibiotic sensitivity. Globally, both strains exhibited a high in vitro probiotic potential. Finally, their potential for the prevention of gastrointestinal infections was evaluated in an experimental canine model using 1-month-old puppies. A group of 12 German shepherd puppies, 6 males and 6 females, received L. rhamnosus MP01 daily for 2 months and a second group of 12 puppies, 6 males and 6 females, of the same breed received L. plantarum MP02 during the same period of time. The same experimental approach was carried with Yorkshire puppies. Additionally, the trial included 12 dogs of each breed in the placebo groups. The results demonstrated that administration of the strains resulted in a significant preventive effect of gastrointestinal infections in such populations.

A Biotic Support During Pregnancy to Strengthen the Gastrointestinal Performance in Puppies

“…Pre-and probiotics are known to offer a non-pharmacological alternative to manage several gastoenteric disorders in dogs, both adults and puppies, through a direct daily alimentary administration, improving animals microbiota, and gut health (2,3). They act through different systems: direct effect on pathogens (competitive exclusion); enhancement of adaptive and innate immune response, including phagocytosis (immunomodulation); increased digestive efficiency (23).…”

“…Referring to microbiota, the possibility was formulated of a microbial transfer from the mother to the fetus and newborn (3). Thus, a dietary-based modulation of the maternal microbiota could indirectly be transferred to the puppies.…”

“…This specific supplement was chosen in the present study because its ingredients are currently commonly used in veterinary clinical practice. Moreover, they were individually tested in previous studies on similar topics, related to gestation, lactation, and weaning, in the canine species as well as in other animals ( 3 , 7 – 9 , 23 , 24 ).…”

“…Peripartum nutrition is pivotal in the development of the immune system of neonates: pre-and probiotic supplementation of the maternal diet during pregnancy can enhance the immunitary power of colostrum confirming the existence of an enteromammry link (8). The possibility to modulate the composition of the microbiota of both mother and offspring was hypothesized, too, thinking of a microbiota transfer from the mother to the newborns (3).…”

“…Recently, veterinary researchers focused their attention on the possible effect of gastrointestinal microbiota on canine health and diseases: in adult dogs, pre- and probiotics administered on daily basis are able to modulate the gastrointestinal microbiota, leading to spontaneous recovery from diarrhea, thus avoiding the use of antibiotics and their possible side effects, including the spread of antibiotic resistance ( 2 ). Pre- and probiotics represent an effective treatment of gastrointestinal disorders also in young subjects of different species; in German Shepherd and Yorkshire puppies, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus plantarum demonstrated a good potential in the prevention of gastrointestinal infections ( 3 ); lactic acid bacteria in specific infant formulations successfully prevented diarrhea episodes in children ( 4 – 6 ); in suckling piglets, a probiotic oral treatment with Enterococcus faecium proved to be able to mitigate the incidence and severity of diarrhea ( 7 ).…”