The Microbiome in Critical Illness

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Microbiology
• Critical Care

Background:

• The intestinal microbiome is increasingly recognized for its role in acute critical illness pathogenesis in humans and mammals.
• Its metabolic functions include short-chain fatty acid production, trimethylamine-N-oxide synthesis, and bile acid metabolism.
• The microbiota is vital for host immunity and defense against pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of the intestinal microbiome in acute critical illness in small animals.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of microbiota modulation techniques in critically ill dogs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on small animal critical illness and intestinal microbiota.
• Analysis of studies investigating probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation in dogs.

Main Results:

• Evidence for the microbiome's role in small animal critical illness is limited but growing.
• Probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation demonstrated safety and effectiveness in critically ill dogs with acute gastrointestinal issues.

Conclusions:

• The intestinal microbiota is a significant factor in acute critical illness in dogs.
• Microbiota modulation via probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation offers a promising therapeutic strategy for these patients.