Bacteria Flashcards
What are two advantages to have colonic commensal flora in cats and dogs?
Promote proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells
Prevent attachment of unwanted bacteria
Which part of the cellulose molecule can’t be broken down by mammalian enzymes?
Beta 1, 4 linkages of polysaccharides
What sort of bacteria predominantly inhabit the rumen (aerobic/anaerobic)
Obligate anaerobes
What are two examples of cellulytic bacterial species in the rumen?
Ruminococcus spp
Bacteroides spp
Fibrobacter spp
What are two examples of proteolytic bacterial species in the rumen?
Bacteroides spp
Streptococcus spp.
Which ruminal bacterial species metabolise lactic acid?
Lactobacillus spp
Streptococcus spp
Which bacterial species convert succinic acid to propionic acid in the rumen?
Selenomonas spp
Why dont kangaroos eructate ?
H+ product of fermentation is converted to acetate and used for further energy
Why is the horse bacterial hindgut population more variable than ruminants’?
Because they produce less secretory antibodies to influence the population
Ruminants have many in their saliva
What are the most important cellulytic bacteria in the horse hindgut?
Ruminococcus spp
Fibrobacter spp
What percentage of the intestinal contents may the caecum of a rabbit contain?
40%
What is the name for special faeces produced by rabbits and guinea pigs that are desgined for consumption> What do they contain?
Caecotrophs - tend to be produced overnight
- contain well-fermented material from the caecum
- covered in gelatinous mucous coat to prevent digestion in simple stomach before get to LI
What is the optimal pH in the horse hindgut for microbial activity?
6.5
What can endotoxemia in horses lead to?
Circulatory disturbances
Laminitis
What is laminitis?
Breakdown of connection between dorsal hoof wall and distal phalangeal bone either secondary to increased insulin release or endotoxaemia
