Understanding GI Barrier Function and New Treatment Modalities

Presentation Description / Summary: The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome is a newly labeled organ that plays a role in and can alter multiple physiological functions of the host. While the state of the GI microbiome is beginning to become a focus of pet health, the components that make up the GI barrier between microbiomes and the blood and lymphatic systems are frequently overlooked. Protective functions exist within the components of the GI barrier to reduce the exposure of microbiota to intestinal epithelial cells and prevent them from crossing into the blood and lymphatic system, translocating and possibly evoking a disease state. Understanding the components of the GI barrier, the functions they complete, and the result of barrier dysfunction can help veterinary teams look for more effective ways to treat pets in a diseased state. New modalities such as fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) via enema and oral applications, along with current research on bacteriophages, will be discussed including the appropriate timing to consider utilizing these therapies.

Learner Outcomes: Understand the components and functions of the GI barrier. Be able to identify 3 outcomes of barrier dysfunction Understand what is an FMT treatment and the 2 modalities it currently exists in, and how bacteriophages function to improve GI dysbiosis.