Fecal microbiota transplantation capsule therapy via oral route for combatting atopic dermatitis in dogs

Abstract

Given the role of the interaction between gut microbiome with dermatological diseases, namely "gut-skin axis", the present author proved that gut restoration should alleviate canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), which was the purpose of the study. A 4-week, open-label, non-controlled case series involved 8 -owned dogs with CAD which had received no previous treatment. Evaluations included Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index version 4 (CADESI-04 scores), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pruritus scores and Polycheck in vitro allergen specific tests. Faecal samples were analysed by dual indexing one-step PCR and 16S rRNA targeted metagenomics for detecting gut microbiota alterations before and after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsule treatment twice daily for 4 weeks. All cases were presenting pruritus and all of those dogs showed elevated IgE levels. CADESI scores decreased on days 28 (4-21) compared to day 0 initial values (50-128). Similarly, decreased VAS scores were detected on days 28 (0-2) in contrast to prior values (6-10). Regarding epidermal barrier functioning epidermal hydration (55-100 vs. 4-24) and pH (6.-7.8 vs. 4.2-5.7) values were elevated after FMT treatment in contrast to prior ranges, respectively. Alpha diversity revaled both richness and diversity of gut microbiota were improved for all cases on day 28. Furthermore at the end of trial Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratio was 8, the benchmark detected for healthy dogs. The present study supports a potential benefit of FMT capsule treatment against CAD. This safe and tolerant treatment modality directed against CAD shifted the gut microbiome composition towards a healthy state for all 8 dogs enrolled.

Comparison of the Gut Microbiome between Atopic and Healthy Dogs—Preliminary Data

“…That the gut microbiota is an important player in the disease pathogenesis was recently shown by interventional studies using fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) in patients with AD. These studies showed that FMT is safe and efficacious in controlling clinical signs of AD in dogs and humans [ 32 , 33 ]. Therefore, there is a high need for future studies in this field.…”

Canine Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Current Application and Possible Mechanisms

“…In conclusion, even though it is quite possible to achieve successful FMT treatment in dogs without cleaning their gut microbiota [37,83], it is advisable that veterinary specialists should pretreat recipient dogs with laxatives such as PEG. This increases FMT efficacy by reducing repeated treatment, which is a huge improvement in canine welfare if FMT is delivered through other routes, such as colonoscopy and enema.…”

“…For example, when 49 CDI patients were treated with encapsulated FMT, the success rate was 88%. However, there is only one report that used commercially available, encapsulated fecal materials used in canine research [83]. Therefore, there may be a prospective study on this matter.…”

Investigation of the relationship between atopic dermatitis of dogs and intestinal epithelial damage

“…Increased serum concentrations of with diarrhoea between 1.5 and 3 months ago may further suggest the possibility that these dogs may develop leaky gut as in humans. We suggest that toxins and allergens entering the organism through the disrupted intestinal barrier and the development of dysbiotic microbiota may have contributed to the development of atopic dermatitis in these dogs (Hua et al, 2016;Pascal et al, 2018;Rostaher et al, 2022;Stewart et al, 2017;K. Ural, 2022).…”

“…Atopic dermatitis in dogs is thought to be associated with exposure to house dust mite, wheat dust, meadow and grass pollen. However, allergens have been reported to cause seasonal (pollen) or nonseasonal (mites in dust or food) atopic dermatitis (Gedon & Mueller, 2015;Hensel et al, 2015;K. Ural, 2022).…”