Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantations in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using metagenomic sequencing

TL;DR

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplants in dolphins using metagenomic sequencing to restore gut health.

Contribution

A safe donor screening protocol and effective FMT administration method for dolphins were developed and validated.

Findings

All four recipient dolphins showed engraftment of donor microbes and improved clinical signs.

FMT led to a sustained increase in gut microbial diversity in treated dolphins.

No adverse effects were observed, confirming the safety of the FMT protocol.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal disease is a leading cause of morbidity in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) under managed care. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) holds promise as a therapeutic tool to restore gut microbiota without antibiotic use. This prospective clinical study aimed to develop a screening protocol for FMT donors to ensure safety, determine an effective FMT administration protocol for managed dolphins, and evaluate the efficacy of FMTs in four recipient dolphins.

Comprehensive health monitoring was performed on donor and recipient dolphins. Fecal samples were collected before, during, and after FMT therapy. Screening of donor and recipient fecal samples was accomplished by in-house and reference lab diagnostic tests. Shotgun metagenomics was used for sequencing. Following FMT treatment, all four recipient communities experienced engraftment of novel microbial species from donor communities. Engraftment coincided with resolution of clinical signs and a sustained increase in alpha diversity.

The donor screening protocol proved to be safe in this study and no adverse effects were observed in four recipient dolphins. Treatment coincided with improvement in clinical signs.

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