• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2024

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an inflammatory and pruritic skin disease with a genetic predisposition, characterized by allergic sensitivity. It is known for its distinctive clinical features, including a high recurrence rate and chronic progression. To manage CAD, medications such as steroids and immunosuppressants are commonly used, but consideration should be given to the potential resistance and side effects associated with long-term use. In order to reduce these risks, various adjunctive factors are currently under consideration. One of these adjunctive agents, probiotics have shown effectiveness in regulating atopic dermatitis by modulating immune responses, as demonstrated in several recent studies. In this study, a substance combining three probiotics-L. plantarum, L. reuteri, and Ped. Acidilactici-was used in patients diagnosed with CAD, and its clinical effects and safety were evaluated. The trial involved four groups: a group receiving conventional treatment for atopic dermatitis (A), a group prescribed low-dose probiotics (B), a group prescribed high-dose probiotics (C), and a group prescribed topical probiotics (D). For assessment, the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI), Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) test, gut microbiome, and serum IgE test were conducted. As a result, the CAD severity index (CADESI-4) significantly decreased in the probiotics groups (B & C). In the serum total IgE test, the groups consuming probiotics showed a significant difference, while the group using topical probiotics (D) did not exhibit a significant change. Also, the TEWL test showed improved scores in the probiotics groups (B & C). Therefore, L. plantarum, L. reuteri, and Ped. Acidilactici probiotic combination could be considered as an effective adjunctive treatment, especially for atopic patients with moderate to severe skin lesions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.60 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 2020

This study assessed the effects of probiotics in canine atopic dermatitis (AD). We enrolled 11 client-owned dogs with AD and randomly allocated them to two groups. The probiotics group (n = 7) was prescribed with Bifidobacterium longum while the control group (n = 4) received a placebo powder once a day for 12 weeks. In both groups, the degree of skin lesions was evaluated based on the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI)-4. We also measured the transepidermal water loss (TEWL). We assessed pruritus severity using the pruritus visual analog scale (PVAS). Alteration of consumed drug doses was converted into medication scores. All the evaluation indices were surveyed every 4 weeks. In the probiotics group, there was a significant decrease in the CADESI-4 score at 4, 8, and 12 weeks compared to that of the baseline score (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in TEWL, PVAS, and medication score at each time point and between groups. Although these results showed that Bifidobacterium longum did not reduce pruritus, TEWL, and the dosage of drugs for canine AD, it was effective in improving skin lesions, therefore, probiotics could be considered in canine AD with severe skin symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.81-88
• /
• 2015

This study was conducted to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from dog intestine and identify potential probiotic strains for canine use. One hundred and one LAB were isolated from feces of 20 healthy dogs. Acid, bile, and heat resistance along with adherence to Caco-2 cells and antimicrobial activity against pathogens were examined. To analyze immunomodulative effects, the production of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ was measured using RAW 264.7 macrophages. Additionally, RAW BLUE cells were used to evaluate nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) generation. Ultimately, three strains were selected as canine probiotics and identified as Lactobacillus reuteri L10, Enterococcus faecium S33, and Bifidobacterium longum B3 by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The L10 and S33 strains showed tolerance to pH 2.5 for 2 h, 1.0% Oxgall for 2 h, and $60^{\circ}C$ for 5 min. These strains also had strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli KCTC 1682, Salmonella Enteritidis KCCM 12021, Staphylococcus aureus KCTC 1621, and Listeria monocytogenes KCTC 3569. All three strains exerted better immunomodulatory effects than Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a well-known commercial immunomodulatory strain, based on NO, NF-${\kappa}B$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$ production. These results suggested that the three selected strains could serve as canine probiotics.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.685-702
• /
• 2023

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly used as probiotics; however, not all LAB strains have the same beneficial effects. To successfully use LAB as probiotics in canines, LAB species should originate from the canine intestinal tract as they display host specificity. The objective of this study was to investigate the phenotypic and genomic traits of potential probiotic LAB isolated from canine fecal samples. Twenty LAB samples were evaluated for their potential probiotic characteristics including resistance to low pH, bile salts, hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, adhesion to epithelia or mucosa, and production of inhibitory compounds. Additionally, we evaluated their safety and other beneficial effects on canine health, such as DPPH free radical scavenging, and β-galactosidase. Four strains demonstrated potential probiotic characteristics and were selected: Enterococcus hirae Pom4, Limosilactobacillus fermentum Pom5, Pediococcus pentosaceus Chi8, and Ligilactobacillus animalis FB2. Safety evaluations showed that all strains lacked hemolytic activity, could not produce biogenic amines, and did not carry any pathogenic genes. In addition, L. fermentum Pom5 and P. pentosaceus Chi8 displayed susceptibility to all antibiotics and concordant with the absence of antibiotic resistance genes. Based on their phenotypic and genomic characteristics, L. fermentum Pom5 and P. pentosaceus Chi8 were identified as potential probiotic candidates for canines.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.64 no.2
• /
• pp.197-217
• /
• 2022

As the number of households that raise dogs and cats is increasing, there is growing interest in animal health. The gut plays an important role in animal health. In particular, the microbiome in the gut is known to affect both the absorption and metabolism of nutrients and the protective functions of the host. Using probiotics on pets has beneficial effects, such as modulating the immune system, helping to reduce stress, protecting against pathogenic bacteria and developing growth performance. The goals of this review are to summarize the relationship between probiotics/the gut microbiome and animal health, to feature technology used for identifying the diversity of microbiota composition of canine and feline microbiota, and to discuss recent reports on probiotics in canines and felines and the safety issues associated with probiotics and the gut microbiome in companion animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.98-101
• /
• 2019

Lactobacillus spp. are the bacteria most commonly used as probiotics and it has been proven that they inhibit pathogenic bacterial growth and improve skin repair in humans. This study was conducted to investigate the growth inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus on Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, the most commonly isolated pathogen in canine pyoderma, and whether Lactobacillus could inhibit the adhesion capability of S. pseudintermedius to canine corneocytes. For this study, L. salivarius and S. pseudintermedius were isolated from healthy beagle fecal samples and the skin surface of dogs with skin infection, respectively. S. pseudintermedius was co-cultured with L. salivarius to assess the inhibitory effect. For the adhesion assay, corneocytes were collected from healthy beagle ventral abdominal skin. Both bacterial species attached to corneocytes and were assessed in number. As a result, L. salivarius significantly inhibited the growth of S. pseudintermedius in the culture medium. Moreover, L. salivarius reduced attachment of S. pseudintermedius in the adhesion assay. These results suggest that L. salivarius has an inhibitory effect on S. pseudintermedius and may be effectively used in the topical therapy of canine skin infections.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.63 no.6
• /
• pp.1411-1422
• /
• 2021

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a gram-positive, microaerophilic, and acidophilic bacterial species. L. acidophilus strains in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and other animals have been profiled, but strains found in the canine gut have not been studied yet. Our study helps in understanding the genetic features of the L. acidophilus C5 strain found in the canine gut, determining its adaptive features evolved to survive in the canine gut environment, and in elucidating its probiotic functions. To examine the canine L. acidophilus C5 genome, we isolated the C5 strain from a Korean dog and sequenced it using PacBio SMRT sequencing technology. A comparative genomic approach was used to assess genetic relationships between C5 and six other strains and study the distinguishing features related to different hosts. We found that most genes in the C5 strain were related to carbohydrate transport and metabolism. The pan-genome of seven L. acidophilus strains contained 2,254 gene families, and the core genome contained 1,726 gene families. The phylogenetic tree of the core genes in the canine L. acidophilus C5 strain was very close to that of two strains (DSM20079 and NCFM) from humans. We identified 30 evolutionarily accelerated genes in the L. acidophilus C5 strain in the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) analysis. Five of these thirty genes were associated with carbohydrate transport and metabolism. This study provides insights into genetic features and adaptations of the L. acidophilus C5 strain to survive the canine intestinal environment. It also suggests that the evolution of the L. acidophilus genome is closely related to the host's evolutionary adaptation process.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.1966-1969
• /
• 2015

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a ubiquitous, chronic inflammatory skin disorder prevalent in dogs, which results in production of abnormal levels of IgE antibodies in reciprocation to an allergen challenge. In this study, administration of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus sakei probio-65 for 2 months significantly reduced the disease severity index in experimental dogs diagnosed with CAD. In addition, one month pre-medication of L. sakei probio-65 revealed significant difference in the PVAS score in experimental dogs for both probio-65 and placebo groups. However, post 2 months treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the CASESI score values in the probio-65-treated group (p < .0.06).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.75-84
• /
• 2016

Probiotics that are able to provide beneficial effects on animal health have become important ingredients of dog foods. This study was conducted to characterize the probiotic potentials of two strains, Lactobacillus reuteri BCLR-42 and Lactobacillus plantarum BCLP-51, that were derived from feces of healthy dogs and evaluated based on tolerance to low pH and bile acid, antimicrobial activities, enzyme profiles, sensitivity to antibiotics, and innate immune enhancing potentials. Both strains showed survival of more than 90% at pH 3 and 0.2% bile acid and exhibited broad antimicrobial activities against indicator bacteria. Moreover, both strains showed high sensitivity to antibiotics, except vancomycin, metronidazole, and gentamicin. The alkaline phosphatase was negligible (score 0), whereas they showed strong beta galactosidase activity (score range 5 or 3, respectively). The phagocytosis and oxidative burst activities of canine granulocytes were significantly enhanced in response to both strains. These results show that both strains have the capability to act as probiotics and the potential for application as ingredients in dog foods.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.8-15
• /
• 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease in animals and several therapeutic trials with various drugs have been conducted for more effective management of AD. However, these trials have not been able to properly address all the aspects of AD management because of the lack of good efficacy or due to significant side effects of the drugs being tested. Synbio-glucan functional spray is a functional skin spray using Synbio-glucan composed of β-glucan and probiotics. We designed a functional spray composed of Synbio-glucan (patent application number:10-1805863), distilled water, glycerin, solubilizer, and 40% alcohol. We tested the efficacy and safety of the functional spray on six dogs with AD. The trial was conducted with the consent of the caregivers. The spray was applied to the skin lesions, including the trunk, axillae, inguinal region, or periocular areas, thrice a day for 30 days. To evaluate the efficacy of this functional spray, we assessed the pruritus visual analog scale (PVAS) and the canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI)-4. At the end of one month, the results clinical scores after functional spray treatment showed a significant decrease in the PVAS (p = 0.03) and CADESI-4 (p = 0.03) in all the subject dogs with AD. This study thus confirmed that the Synbio-glucan functional spray is efficacious and safe for the treatment of AD in dogs.