Publikationsdatenbank

Influence of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 as a feed additive on digestive, microbiological and immunological traits in police, working and sled dogs (2011)

Art

Hochschulschrift

Autor

Koiou, Linda (WE 4)

Quelle

Berlin: Mensch und Buch Verlag, 2011 — [12], 97 Seiten

ISBN: 978-3-86664-966-8

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/10892

Kontakt

Institut für Tierernährung

Königin-Luise-Str. 49
14195 Berlin
+49 30 838 52256
tierernaehrung@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

The study incorporated 3 different groups of dogs, all receiving the probiotic Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134. A cross-over study was conducted with police and Bundeswehr working dogs, each dog having a placebo and probiotic period. The probiotic was added to the daily ration at a concentration of 1*109 cfu/kg of complete diet by owners or animal attendants. Parameters included faecal consistency, frequency of defecation (daily protocol recorded), pH and faecal dry matter, ammonium ion concentration, D- and L-lactic acid concentration, and selective faecal microorganisms, including coliform bacteria, Clostridium spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp.. Species differentiation of enterococci was performed with RAPD-PCR analysis, using colonies from randomly picked faecal samples of the working dogs. Immunologic parameters, such as lymphocyte phenotyping, lymphocyte proliferation, serum IgA and IgG, also including a differential blood count, were examined in the police dogs. In addition, a vaccination trial was conducted using a group of privately owned sled dogs, divided into a placebo and probiotic group. The probiotic group received in addition to their feed Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 (1*109 cfu/kg of complete diet), by the owner. After accommodation, all dogs were vaccinated with a polyvalent vaccine against distemper, hepatitis contagiosa canis, kennel cough, parvovirosis, leptospirosis and rabies. An injection of tetanus toxoid was administered on the same day. Blood was collected on the day of vaccination and 14 days after, for titre determination and other immunologic parameters. An additional injection of tetanus toxoid followed 14 days after the first, where titres were again determined 14 days after. Immunologic parameters included lymphocyte phenotyping, lymphocyte proliferation, IgA, IgG, differential blood count and determination of CPV, CDV, rabies and tetanus titres. Individual improvements of the faecal consistency were achieved, due to the probiotic. No significant changes were observed in the faecal bacteria concentration, although RAPD-PCR analysis clearly identified Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134, indicating the colonisation and possible amplification of the probiotic bacteria. Lymphocyte proliferation was significantly higher in the probiotic group of the sled dogs, at 4 weeks after the first vaccination, confirmed also by the numerically higher values encountered during the probiotic phase of the police dogs. The probiotic had distinct effects on the rabies titre. Similar potential effects were also seen with the CDV titre. Companion animals may benefit from the application of probiotics. Changes in faecal consistency, persistence of E. faecium DSM 7134 and an immune stimulation are of importance from this perspective. Further studies with Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 need to be conducted. Young puppies during the time of first immunisation to investigate immune stimulation are of special interesst. Since no prior contacts to vaccine-antigens exist, the possibility is given that higher vaccination titres are yielded and the probiotic influence can therefore be better demonstrated under these conditions.