Effectivity of freeze-dried form of Lactobacillus fermentum AD1-CCM7421 in dogs.

The impact of probiotic supplementation of canine-derived strain Lactobacillus fermentum AD1-CCM7421 in freeze-dried form on quantitative composition of microbiota and short-chain fatty acid profile in feces of dogs was demonstrated by two independent studies (straightforward repeated-measures model; study I: a dose of 2 g per dog for 2 weeks, 10(8) CFU/g, n = 12; study II: 1 g per dog for 1 week, 10(7) CFU/g, n = 11. The results revealed a significant increase of lactic acid bacteria population persisting also after the cessation of probiotic application in both studies. A reduction of clostridia (study I, p (sum) < 0.01) and tested Gram-negative bacterial genera (coliforms, Aeromonas sp., Pseudomonas sp., study II, p < 0.05) was also detected. The strain AD1-CCM7421 colonized the canine digestive tract in sufficient numbers (10(5)-10(6) CFU/g) and it persisted in the majority of dogs after cessation of probiotic application. An increase of short-chain fatty acid concentrations (study I: butyric, succinic, valeric, formic acid) especially in the early post-treatment phase (p < 0.05) most likely led to a decrease of fecal pH value (p < 0.05) without negative influence on fecal consistency throughout the studies.