Recent results 2012

Selenomonas ruminantium plasmids

Genomic analyses of important rumen bacterium Selenomonas ruminantium has revealed the role of recombination in the plasmid evolution. Based on plasmids genome comparisons a recombination hot-spots were identified participating probably in plasmid evolution by recombination and exchange of replication modules. Using PCR several S. ruminantium plasmid replication modules were characterized and areplication module from a new, undescribed yet plasmid was identified. Significant structural instability of S. ruminantium plasmids was observed. FECSKEOVÁ, Lívia- IVAN, Jozef – JAVORSKÝ, Peter – PRISTAŠ, Peter. Variability of putative rep gene cassettes in Selenomonas ruminantium plasmids. In FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2012, vol., 336 no. 2, p. 98-103. (2.044 – IF2011). (2012 – Current Contents). ISSN 0378-1097.

Experimental probiotics in dogs

In order to find solutions for recent health problems in dogs, especially concerning the impairment of the immune system, we focused on monitoring the effects of the plant extract Eleutherococcus senticosus Rupr. & Maxim. – an adaptogen known for its anti-stress, antioxidant, immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory effects observed in human studies up to now. A combination of the plant with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum CCM 7421 (AD1) administered orally to healthy dogs for 14 days was also evaluated. Different results after the application of the extract alone and in the combination with the probiotic showed more beneficial use of combinative application, in which an increase of the lactic acid bacteria population, a reduction of clostridia and ammonia concentration in faeces, as well as the stimulation of phagocytic activity leukocytes and an increase in serum total protein was observed. After the optimization of dose and length of application to maintain normal faecal consistency, the application of E. senticosus extract with L. fermentum CCM 7421 strain could find perspective applications in the modulation of intestinal microflora and immune system in dogs. STROMPFOVÁ, Viola – PLACHÁ, Iveta – ČOBANOVÁ, Klaudia – GANCARČÍKOVÁ, Soňa – MUDROŇOVÁ, D. – LAUKOVÁ, Andrea. Experimental addition of Eleutherococcus senticosus and probiotic to the canine diet. In Central European Journal of Biology, 2012, vol. 7, no. 3, p. 436-447. (1.000 – IF2011). (2012 – Current Contents). ISSN 1895-104X.

Bifidobacterium isolated from dogs faeces

The aim of the study was to identify and characterize dog bifidobacterial isolates and compare them with commercial probiotic strains. Sixteen isolates of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis from dog faeces (German Shepherd Dog) were identified by subspecies-specific PCR, MALDI-TOF MS and sequencing. This study is the first describing B. animalis ssp. lactis occurring within the intestinal tract of dogs. Our dog isolates showed slightly different fingerprinting profiles obtained by RAPD-PCR and REP-PCR from those isolated from yoghurt and type strains of B. animalis ssp. lactis. Strong auto-aggregation activity was observed only in dog origin B. animalis ssp. lactis strains. BUNEŠOVÁ, V. – VLKOVÁ, E. – ŘADA, V. – ROČKOVÁ, Š. – SVOBODOVÁ, I. – JEBAVÝ, L. – KMEŤ, Vladimír. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strains isolated from dog faeces. In Veterinary Microbiology, 2012, vol. 160, no. 3-4, p. 501-503. (3.327 – IF2011). (2012 – Current Contents). ISSN 0378-1135.