Rahic-Seggerman Faith M, Iske Cayla, Graham Jennifer, Furst Nicole, Schmitz-Esser Stephan, Kohles Micah R
Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2025 Feb 25;20(2):e0318810. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318810. eCollection 2025.
Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) gastrointestinal stasis syndrome (RGIS) is defined as reduced motility of any part of the digestive tract that can lead to impaction and death if left untreated. This study aimed to describe the effect of RGIS on the fecal microbiota of client-owned pet rabbits. Fecal samples from healthy rabbits and rabbits displaying RGIS were obtained and the symptomology of the rabbits was recorded along with any medical intervention. The health outcomes were as follows: 1) Healthy rabbits (Healthy, n = 21), and 2) Rabbits that displayed symptoms of RGIS, were treated, and recovered (RGIS, n = 22). The fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities, respectively. In the 16S rRNA amplicon dataset, two bacterial genera were found in higher abundance in rabbits with RGIS: Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and an unclassified genus in the Enterobacteriaceae family. Likewise, five genera were found in higher abundance in healthy rabbits. The yeast Cyniclomyces guttulatus dominated the eukaryotic microbiota in all rabbits. RGIS is one of the most common issues in clinical practice. This study is the first to perform detailed characterization of the effects of RGIS on the domestic rabbit's bacterial and eukaryotic fecal microbiota. The results demonstrate a significant change in the relative abundance of seven bacterial genera associated with RGIS. Future research is necessary to elucidate the potential role of these microorganisms in RGIS. In the long-term, treatments targeting the restoration of the physiological gastrointestinal microbiota should be developed.
兔（穴兔）胃肠道停滞综合征（RGIS）的定义是消化道任何部位的蠕动减弱，如果不治疗可能导致肠梗阻和死亡。本研究旨在描述RGIS对宠物兔粪便微生物群的影响。采集了健康兔和患有RGIS的兔的粪便样本，并记录了兔的症状以及任何医疗干预措施。健康结果如下：1）健康兔（健康组，n = 21），以及2）表现出RGIS症状、接受治疗并康复的兔（RGIS组，n = 22）。分别使用16S rRNA和18S rRNA基因扩增子测序分析粪便样本，以表征细菌和真核微生物群落。在16S rRNA扩增子数据集中，发现患有RGIS的兔中有两个细菌属的丰度较高：狭义梭菌属1和肠杆菌科中的一个未分类属。同样，在健康兔中发现有五个属的丰度较高。酵母状芽生酵母在所有兔的真核微生物群中占主导地位。RGIS是临床实践中最常见的问题之一。本研究首次对RGIS对家兔细菌和真核粪便微生物群的影响进行了详细表征。结果表明与RGIS相关的七个细菌属的相对丰度发生了显著变化。有必要开展进一步研究以阐明这些微生物在RGIS中的潜在作用。从长远来看，应开发针对恢复生理性胃肠道微生物群的治疗方法。
