Dogs' gut microbiome is uniquely complex

A Waltham Petcare Institute study analysed DNA from 501 dog fecal samples and produced 5,753 metagenome-assembled genomes consolidated into 1,031 bacterial strains, including 982 previously unknown strains; most of the newly described bacteria lacked toxin or antimicrobial-resistance genes.

A new study led by the Waltham Petcare Institute presents the most detailed catalogue yet of bacteria in dogs' guts. Researchers used metagenomic data from the Mars Petcare archive to move beyond prior work that relied mainly on human reference data. The team analysed DNA from 501 fecal samples collected from 107 healthy dogs across the USA and Europe. The effort produced a comprehensive catalogue intended for use by researchers worldwide. Key findings: - Researchers analysed 501 fecal samples from 107 healthy dogs in the USA and Europe. - The analysis yielded 5,753 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) consolidated into 1,031 distinct bacterial strains. - Of those strains, 982 were novel, 89 were identified as new species and 10 as new genera. - Many newly identified strains encode enzymes such as CAZymes that break down complex dietary fibers, and a high share of metabolic pathways were linked to carbohydrate metabolism. - Screening with AMRFinderPlus found most of the newly discovered bacteria were commensal and lacked toxin or antimicrobial-resistance genes. - The Waltham Catalogue for the Canine Gut Microbiome is now available as a research resource covering breeds, ages, sexes and geography. Summary: The study expands the taxonomic and functional picture of the canine gut microbiome and identifies a core set of bacterial species common in healthy dogs. It documents many previously unknown strains and functional capabilities while reporting limited signs of pathogenicity among those strains. The Waltham catalogue is published and available to researchers worldwide; further applications and follow-up investigations are undetermined at this time.