Effects of probiotic Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the faecal microflora of pet rabbits. (24th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Benato, L.; Hastie, P.; O'Shaughnessy, P.; Murray, J.‐A.; Meredith, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of small animal practice. Volume 55:Number 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 442
• Page End: 446
• Publication Date: 2014-06-24
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4510

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jsap12242-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jsap12242-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>OBJECTIVES</title> <p id="jsap12242-para-0001">Probiotics are frequently used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in pet rabbits based largely on anecdotal evidence of a beneficial effect. However, there has been little work performed to assess any such benefit in health or disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of probiotics on faecal levels of four important candidate gastrointestinal bacteria (<italic>Bacteroides</italic> species, <italic>Enterococcus faecium, Fibrobacter succinogenes</italic> and <italic>Clostridium spiroforme</italic>) in pet rabbits. Additional aims were to evaluate the effect of probiotics on bodyweight and faecal weight and diameter.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12242-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>MATERIALS AND METHODS</title> <p id="jsap12242-para-0002">Double‐blind triple cross‐over study in six healthy rabbits orally administered two probiotic strains, <italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</italic> NCYC Sc47 and <italic>E. faecium</italic> NCIMB 30183. Levels of bacteria in faecal pellets were subsequently determined by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12242-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p id="jsap12242-para-0003">Oral administration of probiotic <italic>E. faecium</italic> NCIMB 30183 was associated with a significant (P = 0 · 042) increase in faecal levels of <italic>E. faecium</italic>. However, probiotic treatment did not affect faecal levels of <italic>Bacteroides</italic> species, <italic>F. succinogenes</italic> or <italic>C. spiroforme</italic>, bodyweight, or faecal weight and diameter.</p> </sec> <sec id="jsap12242-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE</title> <p id="jsap12242-para-0004">The inclusion of dietary probiotic supplementation using <italic>E. faecium</italic> NCIMB 30183 can increase faecal levels of certain bacterial flora of healthy adult rabbits. Further work is required to investigate the effects of probiotics in animals affected with gastrointestinal disease.</p> </sec> </abstract>