Diagnostic value of fecal cultures in dogs with chronic diarrhea

Background Culture-based assessment of the fecal microbiome using fecal culture profiles frequently is performed in dogs with chronic diarrhea, but the diagnostic value of this approach has not been determined. Objectives To compare the reported results of fecal culture profiles and the polymerase chain reaction-based dysbiosis index (DI) between dogs with chronic diarrhea and healthy dogs; to assess interlaboratory variability in bacterial and fungal cultures among 3 veterinary diagnostic laboratories (diagnostic laboratory 1 [L1], diagnostic laboratory 2 [L2], diagnostic laboratory 3 [L3]); and to compare the reported interpretation of culture profiles (normobiosis versus dysbiosis) with those of the DI. Animals Eighteen dogs with chronic diarrhea (CDG) and 18 healthy control dogs (HG). Methods In this prospective, case-control study, fecal samples were submitted to 3 commercial laboratories for fecal culture. The microbiota was assessed using PCR assays. Dogs receiving antimicrobials were excluded. Results Dysbiosis index was significantly increased in CDG (mean, 0.9; SD, 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.0; 2.8) compared to HG (mean, -3.0; SD, 2.8; CI, -4.3; -1.6; P = .0002), whereas cultures from all laboratories failed to detect significant differences (P = .66, .18, and .66, respectively). Hemolytic Escherichia coli was the only potential enteropathogen on culture, but no significant difference was found between CDG and HG. For diagnosis of dysbiosis, culture showed no agreement with DI (L1, kappa = -0.21; CI, -0.44; -0.02; L2, kappa = -0.33; CI, -0.58; -0.08; L3, kappa = -0.25; CI, -0.39; -0.11). Furthermore, variability among the 3 laboratories was high (L1/L2, kappa = 0.15; CI, -0.05; 0.35; L1/L3, kappa = -0.08; CI, -0.01; -0.16; L2/L3, kappa = -0.06; CI, -0.33; -0.20). Conclusions and clinical importance Fecal cultures failed to distinguish between diseased and healthy dogs, and a high level of interlaboratory variation for culture was found.

Automated summary

The study found that fecal cultures were ineffective in distinguishing between dogs with chronic diarrhea and healthy dogs, and there was a high level of variability in culture results among different laboratories.