K. A. A. El-Razik and colleagues (2020) investigated whether Enterococcus faecium isolated from dogs could be suitable as host-specific probiotics. Fecal swabs were collected from 16 healthy dogs, and enterococci were identified and screened for virulence and bacteriocin genes.
Enterococcus faecium was confirmed in 8 samples. Importantly, the isolates tested negative for key virulence genes (gelE and esp), supporting their safety for probiotic use. Genetic screening revealed that four strains carried the entAS48 gene, while one strain harbored the entL50A/B gene, both associated with bacteriocin production, which enhances antimicrobial properties.
Based on these findings, five of the isolated E. faecium strains were deemed promising probiotic candidates for dogs. The study highlights the potential of canine-derived probiotics in supporting gut health, offering a safe and host-adapted alternative to conventional strains.
Source: El-Razik, K. A. A., Ibrahim, E., Younes, A., Arafa, A., Abuelnaga, A. S. M., & Hedia, R. H. (2020). Enterococcus faecium isolated from healthy dogs for potential use as probiotics. Bulgarian Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 23, 197–205.
