Possibly, these differences reflect the strictly carnivorous diet learn more of captive cheetahs. In fact, Bifidobacteriaceae have been negatively correlated with the protein content of the diet [16, 69] and only

a few studies have reported the presence of bifidobacteria in faeces of carnivores [70]. Finally, the minor share of Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria found in this study is also confirmed in other feline microbiome studies using 16S rRNA gene clone libraries [50] or shotgun sequencing [44]. Felids seem to harbor less Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria compared to other carnivores such as wolves [40] and dogs. In the latter species even, substantial numbers of Fusobacteria have been observed, but the significance of an enriched Fusobacteria population is yet unknown [39]. In the Proteobacteria, a minority of three clones affiliated with Shigella flexneri ATCC 29903T. This species is principally a primate pathogen causing bacillary dysentery or shigellosis [71]. Cats have not been reported to be naturally infected [72], although these organisms may be transiently excreted in some clinically normal domestic cats [43, 44]. The two cheetahs included in this study showed no signs of shigellosis and to

our knowledge this type of infection has not been reported in cheetahs thus far. Conclusions This is the first ever study to specifically BMS202 manufacturer characterize the predominant faecal bacterial populations of captive cheetahs using a combination of 16S rRNA clone

library and real-time PCR analyses. (-)-p-Bromotetramisole Oxalate The study revealed a complex microbial diversity predominantly composed of Firmicutes. The abundance of Clostridium clusters XIVa, XI and I in this phylum resembles that in the faecal microbiota of other carnivores. However, the near absence of Bacteroidetes and the low abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae are in sharp contrast with the situation in domestic cats but in agreement with faecal microbiota selleck chemicals llc composition reported in other Carnivora. In addition to the apparent differences in feeding habbits between both felid species, also our microbiological findings thus question the role of the domestic cat as a suitable model for nutritional intervention studies in captive felids such as cheetahs. The present study provides a first taxonomic baseline for further characterizations of the diversity and dynamics of the cheetah intestinal ecosystem. To confirm our main findings based on two animals, the collection of fresh and well-documented faecal samples from more captive cheetahs worldwide is the next challenge. Ultimately, the resulting microbial insights may contribute in the optimization of feeding strategies and the improvement of the general health status of cheetahs in captivity. Acknowledgements Our work was kindly supported by the Special Research Fund of Ghent University (Belgium) and by the Morris Animal Foundation (Grant D12ZO-404).