Using Gut Microbiota and Gut Metabolites as Biomarkers for Diseases in Monogastric Farm Animals

The use of biomarkers as diagnostic tools for animal health is becoming an increasingly important resource. In particular, this is true for digestive conditions, where an analysis of fecal samples can provide a non-invasive source of material for analysis. These samples can be used for the early detection of developing conditions or where an infection has taken place. However, biomarkers can also be used as a predictive tool for the advanced identification of animals that may be at an increased risk of developing a condition or having increased susceptibility to a particular type of infection. In the current narrative review, we focus on the use of both the gut microbiota and their resulting metabolites as biomarkers in monogastric farmed animals. Specifically, we review the existing knowledge available in the scientific literature for pigs, rabbits, horses and chickens.