Effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on foals with diarrhea

This is one of those studies that found treatment did not effect clinical outcome while showing some positive findings during the illness.
DrO

Effects of fecal microbiota transplantation on clinical outcomes and fecal microbiota of foals with diarrhea
J Vet Intern Med. 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2718-2728. doi: 10.1111/jvim.17185. Epub 2024 Sep 12.
Authors
Jillian Bell 1 , Sharanne L Radial 1 , Rosemary S Cuming 2 , Gareth Trope 3 , Kristopher J Hughes 1
Affiliations

1 Charles Sturt University School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
2 Scone Equine Hospital, Scone, New South Wales, Australia.
3 South Eastern Equine Hospital, Narre Warren North, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 39266472
PMCID: PMC11423448
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17185

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea in foals can be associated with disruption of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis). Effective management of intestinal dysbiosis in foals has not been demonstrated.

Hypothesis/objectives: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in foals with diarrhea influences the intestinal microbiota and improves clinical and clinicopathological outcomes.

Animals: Twenty-five foals <6 months of age with diarrhea and systemic inflammatory response syndrome at 3 veterinary hospitals.

Methods: A prospective randomized placebo-controlled cohort study. Foals in the FMT group (n = 19) or control group (n = 9) received FMT or electrolyte solution once daily for 3 days. Fecal samples were obtained on Day 0 (D0), D1, D2, D3, and D7. Within group and between group data analyses were performed for clinical, clinicopathological, and microbiota variables.

Results: Treatment had no effect on survival (FMT 79%; control 100%, P = .3) or resolution of diarrhea (FMT 68%; control 55%, P = .4). On D3, the white blood cell count of the FMT group was lower than the control group (D3 FMT group median 6.4 g/L [5-8.3 g/L]; D3 control group median 14.3 g/L [6.7-18.9 g/L] P = .04). Heart rate reduced over time in the FMT group (D0 median 80 bpm [60-150 bpm]; D2 median 70 bpm [52-110 bpm] [P = .005]; and D3 median 64, [54-102 bpm] [P < .001]). Phylum Verrucomicrobiota, genus Akkermansia, and family Prevotellaceae were enriched in the FMT group on D1 (linear discriminate analysis > 4).

Conclusions and clinical importance: In foals with diarrhea, FMT appears safe and can be associated with some clinical and microbiota changes suggestive of beneficial effect.

Keywords: foal; next‐generation sequencing; transplant.

© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.