Study of the intestinal microbiome of healthy and atopic dogs.

Abstract

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic pruritic inflammatory skin condition with a high impact on public health. This study proposes that the development of atopic dermatitis (AD), is associated with dysbiosis, not only of the skin microbiome, but also of the gut flora, or microbiota. Therefore, imbalances in commensal bacteria can negatively impact the immune system response and lead to inflammatory skin conditions. The aim of this study is to characterize and compare the gut microbiome and resistance between canine patients with AD and healthy controls using metagenomic methodologies and traditional culture with selective media (ESBL; VRE). We intend to show that changes in intestine may contribute to the aetiology of skin pathology and to stimulate discussion on the overuse of antibiotic treatments in these animals. This study attempts to raise awareness of the use of antibiotics and to investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance, particularly antimicrobial resistance genes, which are relevant to public health and to veterinary medicine. Mat & Methods: Fresh Faecal Samples preserved in a sterile tube and DNA/RNA Shield Faecal Collection tube from 10 Healthy and 10 Atopic Dogs. Metagenomic Methodologies (DNA extraction and sequencing) and Traditional culture ESBL and VRE were performed. Results and Discussion: A preliminar different pattern in microbiomes was observed. Urban lifestyle was significantly associated with increased prevalence of allergies, but not with the gut micobiota. We expect our results to support the human evidence that antibiotics, gut microbiota and atopic manifestation are related.