Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium diversity in horse feces, revealed by PCR-DGGE.
Abstract: Lactobacillus equi, Lactobacillus hayakitensis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Weissella confusa/cibaria were the dominant species in 12 South African horses. The Bifidobacterium-group was detected in the feces of only one of the 12 horses. Sequencing of the nested-PCR amplicon identified the Bifidobacterium-group as Parascardovia denticolens. Cell numbers of L. equi, L. hayakitensis, and W. confusa/cibaria were consistent in all samples. P. denticolens, Bifidodobacterium pseudolongum, and a phylogenetic relative of Alloscardovia omnicolens were rarely detected. L. equigenerosi, a dominant species in Japanese horses, was detected in the fecal samples of only one horse.
Publication Date: 2009-09-05 PubMed ID: 19730939DOI: 10.1007/s00284-009-9498-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study investigated the diversity of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria in the feces of 12 South African horses. Dominant species included Lactobacillus equi, hayakitensis, and johnsonii, as well as Weissella confusa/cibaria, while the Bifidobacterium group was found in only one of the horses.
Objective of the Research
- This research sought to explore the variety and prevalence of particular Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species within horse feces, given their potential significance to the overall gut health of horses.
Methodology used in the Research
- The study made use of a PCR-DGGE (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) technique which allows for the separation and identification of bacterial strains in a sample based on differences in their genetic codes.
- A total of 12 South African horses’ feces were analyzed for the presence of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Findings of the Research
- In the species assessed, Lactobacillus equi, Lactobacillus hayakitensis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Weissella confusa/cibaria emerged as the dominant species across the 12 horse samples.
- The Bifidobacterium-group was found in the feces of only one of the 12 horses, and through sequencing of the nested-PCR amplicon, it was identified as Parascardovia denticolens.
- The cell counts of the dominant bacteria, including L. equi, L. hayakitensis, and W. confusa/cibaria, remained fairly stable across all samples, indicating a consistent presence within the horses’ gastrointestinal tract.
- P. denticolens, Bifidodobacterium pseudolongum, and a phylogenetic relative of Alloscardovia omnicolens were rarely detected.
- L. equigenerosi, a species found commonly in Japanese horses, was found in the fecal samples of only one South African horse in the study, suggesting it might not be a prevalent species within these specific populations.
Implication of the Research
- The data from this study provides new insights into the bacterial community within the gut of South African horses, which could have potential implications for dietary and health considerations for these animals.
- Understanding the bacterial profile of the horse’s gut could lead to the development of probiotics beneficial to the horse’s health and performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Endo A, Futagawa-Endo Y, Dicks LM.
(2009).
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium diversity in horse feces, revealed by PCR-DGGE.
Curr Microbiol, 59(6), 651-655.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-009-9498-4 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa. pegaman@hotmail.co.jp
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bifidobacterium / classification
- Bifidobacterium / genetics
- Bifidobacterium / isolation & purification
- Biodiversity
- DNA, Bacterial / genetics
- Electrophoresis / methods
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
- Horses / genetics
- Horses / microbiology
- Lactobacillus / classification
- Lactobacillus / genetics
- Lactobacillus / isolation & purification
- Male
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Silva BC, Sandes SH, Alvim LB, Bomfim MR, Nicoli JR, Neumann E, Nunes AC. Selection of a candidate probiotic strain of Pediococcus pentosaceus from the faecal microbiota of horses by in vitro testing and health claims in a mouse model of Salmonella infection. J Appl Microbiol 2017 Jan;122(1):225-238.
- Collado MC, Rautava S, Aakko J, Isolauri E, Salminen S. Human gut colonisation may be initiated in utero by distinct microbial communities in the placenta and amniotic fluid. Sci Rep 2016 Mar 22;6:23129.
- Gebreselassie N, Abay F, Beyene F. Biochemical and molecular identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts isolated from Ethiopian naturally fermented buttermilk. J Food Sci Technol 2016 Jan;53(1):184-96.
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- Hong SW, Lee JS, Chung KS. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of bacterial community structure in the food, intestines, and feces of earthworms. J Microbiol 2011 Aug;49(4):544-50.
- Fujimoto R, Kuchida M, Ban-Tokuda T, Matsui H. Isolation and molecular identification of Lactobacillaceae bacteria and Bifidobacterium from horse feces. J Equine Sci 2025;36(1):39-43.
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