Safety profile and effects on the peripheral immune response of fecal microbiota transplantation in clinically healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is increasingly used for gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal diseases in veterinary medicine. However, its effects on immune responses and possible adverse events have not been systematically investigated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Determine the short-term safety profile and changes in the peripheral immune system after a single FMT administration in healthy dogs. ANIMALS: Ten client-owned, clinically healthy dogs as FMT recipients, and 2 client-owned clinically healthy dogs as FMT donors. METHODS: Prospective non-randomized clinical trial. A single rectal enema of 5 g/kg was given to clinically healthy canine recipients. During the 28 days after FMT administration, owners self-reported adverse events and fecal scores. On Days 0 (baseline), 1, 4, 10, and 28 after FMT, fecal and blood samples were collected. The canine fecal dysbiosis index (DI) was calculated using qPCR. RESULTS: No significant changes were found in the following variables: CBC, serum biochemistry, C-reactive protein, serum cytokines (interleukins [IL]-2, -6, -8, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α), peripheral leukocytes (B cells, T cells, cluster of differentiation [CD]4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, T regulatory cells), and the canine DI. Mild vomiting (n = 3), diarrhea (n = 4), decreased activity (n = 2), and inappetence (n = 1) were reported, and resolved without intervention. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Fecal microbiota transplantation did not significantly alter the evaluated variables and recipients experienced minimal adverse events associated with FMT administration. Fecal microbiota transplantation was not associated with serious adverse events, changes in peripheral immunologic variables, or the canine DI in the short-term.

The Mucosal Innate Immune Response to Cryptosporidium parvum, a Global One Health Issue.

Cryptosporidium parvum is an apicomplexan parasite that infects the intestinal epithelium of humans and livestock animals worldwide. Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrheal-related deaths in young children and a major cause of economic loss in cattle operations. The disease is especially dangerous to infants and immunocompromised individuals, for which there is no effective treatment or vaccination. As human-to-human, animal-to-animal and animal-to-human transmission play a role in cryptosporidiosis disease ecology, a holistic 'One Health' approach is required for disease control. Upon infection, the host's innate immune response restricts parasite growth and initiates the adaptive immune response, which is necessary for parasite clearance and recovery. The innate immune response involves a complex communicative interplay between epithelial and specialized innate immune cells. Traditional models have been used to study innate immune responses to C. parvum but cannot fully recapitulate natural host-pathogen interactions. Recent shifts to human and bovine organoid cultures are enabling deeper understanding of host-specific innate immunity response to infection. This review examines recent advances and highlights research gaps in our understanding of the host-specific innate immune response to C. parvum. Furthermore, we discuss evolving research models used in the field and potential developments on the horizon.

Noncompacted ventricular myocardium: characterization by intracardiac echo.

We report a patient with clinical manifestation of arrhythmias and evidence of noncompacted myocardium in both left and right ventricular apex. The diagnosis was made with intracardiac echo performed during the electrophysiologic study. This method has allowed the diagnosis of noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium due to its high resolution. Color Doppler showed trabecular recesses in communication with the ventricular cavity that could not be identified with transthoracic echocardiography.