title: Effect of predatory bacteria on the gut bacterial microbiota in rats.
abstract: Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus and Micavibrio aeruginosavorus are Gram-negative proteobacteria that are obligate predators of other Gram-negative bacteria and are considered potential alternatives to antibiotics. Most studies focusing on predatory bacteria have been performed in vitro, thus the effect of predatory bacteria on a live host, including the impact on the ecology of the native microbiota, has yet to be fully examined. In this study, intrarectal inoculations of Sprague-Dawley rats with predatory bacteria were performed. Additionally, feces were collected for seven days post-inoculation to determine the effect on gut bacterial diversity. Rat colonic tissue exhibited no abnormal histopathological effects due to predatory bacteria. A modest increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured in the colons of rats inoculated with predatory bacteria by 24 and 48 hours, with all but IL-13 returning to baseline by seven days. V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal DNA demonstrated minimal shifts in taxonomic representation over the week due to predatory bacteria. Changes in bacterial populations due to exposure to B. bacteriovorus are predicted to contribute to health, however, an overgrowth of Prevotella was observed due to exposure to M. aeruginosavorus. This study further addresses safety concerns associated with the potential use of predatory bacteria to treat infections.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shatzkes
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Singleton
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zuena
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Shilpi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Sonal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dharani
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rinaggio
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kadouri
mesh_terms: D000285:Administration, Rectal; D020561:Alphaproteobacteria / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000898:Antibiosis; D000070060:Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus / Q000502:physiology*; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000502:physiology*; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S