Assessment of Microbiota Composition in the feces of Brachycephalic Dogs affected by Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) before and after corrective surgery

• Grant number: 25/01610-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: June 02, 2025
• End date: September 01, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Paola Castro Moraes
• Grantee: Isabella de Almeida Fabris
• Supervisor: Luca Guardabassi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Copenhagen, Denmark
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/18175-3 - INTESTINAL MICROBIOME ASSESSMENT IN DOGS OF THE FRENCH BULLDOG AND PUG BREEDS, WITH AND WITHOUT BRACHYCEPHALIC OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY SYNDROME (BOAS), BP.DR

Abstract

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a well-recognized condition characterized by anatomopathological alterations leading to partial airway obstructions in brachycephalic dog breeds. Like human patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, dogs with BOAS experience intermittent hypoxia, which can trigger systemic inflammation and the generation of free radicals, affecting multiple organ systems and potentially influencing the composition of the commensal microbiota. We propose a prospective study investigating if corrective surgery (folded-flap palatoplasty and rhinoplasty) impacts the taxonomic composition of microorganisms in the colon of BOAS-affected dogs. Metagenomic analysis will be conducted using 16S rRNA and shotgun sequencing in Grade III BOAS-affected pug dogs pre- and 30 days post-operative. By exploring associations and correlations between the taxonomic diversity of microorganisms before and after surgery, we aim to deepen our understanding of the clinical and microbiological changes in BOAS-affected dogs. Findings from this project will provide valuable insights for future research focused on assessing the impact of these clinical and microbiological alterations on the morbidity and mortality of brachycephalic dogs. Ultimately, our results will aid in developing effective treatment strategies to enhance these veterinary patients' quality of life and overall health.