The Intestinal Microbiome of Dogs with Idiopathic Immune-mediated Hemolytic Anemia: An Occult Trigger for Pathogenic Autoimmunity?

Principal Investigator: Robert A. N. Goggs

Department of Clinical Sciences
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Grant Number: 4148110
Title: The Intestinal Microbiome of Dogs with Idiopathic Immune-mediated Hemolytic Anemia: An Occult Trigger for Pathogenic Autoimmunity?
Project Amount: $2,500
Project Period: November 2018 to November 2019

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): 

This study intends to determine if there is a link between immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and the microbiome.  Specifically, we are interested to discover whether dogs with IMHA have similar microbiomes and if alterations in the microbiome can predict recovery or relapse.  This information might help doctors identify dogs at risk of developing IMHA, or at risk of relapse.  In addition, this information might enable future studies to target the changes in the microbiome with prebiotics, probiotics or antibiotics.