In Vitro Evaluation of the Effect of Storage at -20°C and Proximal Gastrointestinal Conditions on Viability of Equine Fecal Microbiota Transplant

Jamie J Kopper; Trevor L Alexander; Clark J Kogan; Ana R Berreta; Claire R Burbick

doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103360

In Vitro Evaluation of the Effect of Storage at -20°C and Proximal Gastrointestinal Conditions on Viability of Equine Fecal Microbiota Transplant

J Equine Vet Sci. 2021 Mar:98:103360. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103360. Epub 2020 Dec 18.

Authors

Jamie J Kopper¹, Trevor L Alexander², Clark J Kogan³, Ana R Berreta⁴, Claire R Burbick⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. Electronic address: JKopper@iastate.edu.
² Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
³ Center for Interdisciplinary Statistical Education and Research, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
⁴ Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
⁵ Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA; Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.

PMID: 33663713
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103360

Abstract

Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT), a technique used to restore normal intestinal microbial communities, has been successful in treating humans with Clostridioides difficile colitis. Subsequently, FMT is being used in veterinary patients with suspected intestinal dysbiosis. Unfortunately, little data are available regarding best practices for FMT in horses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of storing manure prepared for equine FMT (MP-FMT) at -20°C for up to 4 weeks and passage through a simulated proximal gastrointestinal (GI) tract on the viability of MP-FMT. The results of this study indicate that storage at -20°C for greater than 1 week and exposure to conditions consistent with the proximal GI tract significantly decreased viability of the microbial population, with gram-negative enteric bacteria most significantly impacted. This preliminary evaluation indicates that further work is necessary to determine best practices to preserve the viability MP-FMT in horses.

Keywords: Colitis; Fecal microbiota transplant; Horse; Probiotic; Transfaunation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Dysbiosis / veterinary
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation / veterinary
Feces
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Horse Diseases*
Horses
Microbiota*