How "pro" are probiotics for wildlife species? Novel data, lack of evidence, and future directions

Published

February 28, 2026

Author(s)

Sally Bornbusch, Piper Thacher, Marlitza Francisque, Alexandra DeCandia, Robyn Bortner, Della Garelle, Erin Kendrick, Michael Maslanka, Carly Muletz Wolz

Abstract

Treatments that aim to purposefully manipulate host-associated microbiomes are now prevalent in human and animal medicine. Probiotics that contain live bacteria are purported to improve microbiome function and host health. Although research is advancing, commercial probiotic development has outpaced empirical study of probiotic efficacy. Probiotics are widely used in ex-situ wildlife care despite a lack of empirical study or support. We interrogate the relevance of commercial probiotics in ex-situ wildlife by (a) sequencing the composition of commercial probiotics used to treat wildlife, (b) comparing the probiotic sequences to data on the microbiomes of > 900 animal species, and (c) characterizing the effects of a commercial probiotic on probiotic colonization, prevalence of a potential enteric pathogen (Clostridium perfringens), and metagenomic function in endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes). We found mislabeling and potential contaminants in probiotics marketed for a range of species. The probiotic bacteria were rare or absent in published animal microbiomes. In ferrets, probiotic treatment induced minimal probiotic colonization, negligible functional change, and limited influence on the potential enteric pathogen. Given our findings, which reiterate concerns about the efficacy of commercial probiotics across human and animal sectors, greater effort must be put towards identifying species-specific probiotic candidates and studying alternative microbial therapies for wildlife under human care.

Citation

ISME Communications

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Commercial probiotics, animal microbiomes, microbial therapies, conservation, husbandry, endangered species, wildlife, black-footed ferrets, applied microbial ecology

Citation

Bornbusch, S. , Thacher, P. , Francisque, M. , DeCandia, A. , Bortner, R. , Garelle, D. , Kendrick, E. , Maslanka, M. and Muletz Wolz, C. (2026), How "pro" are probiotics for wildlife species? Novel data, lack of evidence, and future directions, ISME Communications, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=960550 (Accessed August 9, 2026)

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