Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fecal markers of inflammation, protein loss, and microbial changes in dogs with the acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS).
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Heilmann, Romy M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In this study, researchers looked at dogs with a condition called acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), which causes sudden bloody diarrhea and severe dehydration. They collected stool samples over three days to measure markers of inflammation and protein loss, as well as to check for certain types of bacteria. They found that all the markers were much higher than normal when the dogs were first seen, but they decreased significantly by the third day of treatment. However, the changes in the types of bacteria in the dogs' intestines remained even after the inflammation and protein loss improved. Overall, the treatment helped reduce inflammation and protein loss, but the imbalance in gut bacteria persisted.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Idiopathic acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS) is characterized by acute onset of bloody diarrhea, severe dehydration, and increased vascular and intestinal mucosal permeability. Markers of gastrointestinal inflammation, protein loss, and changes in the intestinal microbiota have not been studied extensively in dogs with AHDS. KEY FINDINGS: For 3 consecutive days, feces were collected from dogs with AHDS, and assayed for calprotectin and S100A12 (both markers of inflammation), α-proteinase inhibitor (a marker of gastrointestinal protein loss), and the presence of selected species of bacteria. Concentrations of all assayed markers were significantly greater than the institutional reference intervals at the time of presentation, and all decreased significantly by Day 3 of treatment. Abundances of selected bacterial groups (Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Proteobacteria) at the time of diagnosis were consistent with an intestinal bacterial dysbiosis. No differences in the abundance of bacterial groups over time was seen, except for a mild but significant decrease in Ruminococcaceae at Day 3. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that canine AHDS is associated with a significant but transient gastrointestinal loss of protein and intestinal inflammation. The intestinal bacterial dysbiosis appears to outlast the protein loss and inflammation.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28771910/