Research Article

Metagenomic characterization of the bacterial microbiota in domestic cat (Felis catus) saliva

Volume: 18 Number: 3 December 15, 2025
EN TR

Metagenomic characterization of the bacterial microbiota in domestic cat (Felis catus) saliva

Abstract

Purpose: Felis catus is a domestic animal that interacts with people frequently, both directly and indirectly. These interactions ultimately result in changes to each organism's microbiome. Studying the microbiota of organisms which are in contact with humans enables new data on potential health risks and provides new understanding for microbial changes and compositions. This study aimed to enabled a detailed profile of the cat oral microbiota, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of animal microbiomes and their potential impact on human health, particularly in the context of zoonoses and bacterial infections. Method: In this study, metagenomic analysis was used to understand Felis catus saliva’s bacterial composition at various taxonomic levels. The saliva sample was sequenced and the V3-V4 region of bacterial 16S rRNA gene was targeted for this analysis. Findings: At the phylum level, Bacterioidota (38%), Pseudomonadota (21%), Fusobacteriota (19%), Bacillota (11%), Spirochaetota (5%), and Mycoplasmatota (3%) and at the genus level Porphyromonas (30%), Fusobacterium (14%), Treponema (5%), Peptostreptococcus (5%), Campylobacter (5%) and Oceanivirga (4%) were dominant. Conclusion: This study provides a foundation for future research on microbial transmission between animals and humans. In the further studies, modern sequencing techniques can be used to better understand the links between bacterial communities in domestic animals and their potential impact on human health.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This work was funded by the TÜBİTAK 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program, 2023/1 (Project No: 1919B012311288).

Project Number

2023/1 (Project No: 1919B012311288).

Ethical Statement

Acknowledgement: This study was funded by the TÜBİTAK 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program, 2023/1 (Project No: 1919B012311288). The authors would like to thank TÜBİTAK for organizing support programs. Conflicts of interest: There is no conflict of interest. Funding: This study was funded by the TÜBİTAK. Ethical statement: This study does not require ethical approval. Author contributions: Under the supervision of Teoman KANKILIÇ, Ceyda Berceste KARABULUT carried out the research work packages and wrote the article as specified in the TÜBİTAK project, and İlkay CİVELEK contributed to the translation and discussion part of the article, thus all authors contributed to the work.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Genetics (Other), Microbiology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 25, 2025

Publication Date

December 15, 2025

Submission Date

January 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 18 Number: 3

APA
Karabulut, C. B., Kankılıç, T., & Civelek, İ. (2025). Metagenomic characterization of the bacterial microbiota in domestic cat (Felis catus) saliva. Biological Diversity and Conservation, 18(3), 389-394. https://doi.org/10.46309/biodicon.2025.1627700
AMA
1.Karabulut CB, Kankılıç T, Civelek İ. Metagenomic characterization of the bacterial microbiota in domestic cat (Felis catus) saliva. BioDiCon. 2025;18(3):389-394. doi:10.46309/biodicon.2025.1627700
Chicago
Karabulut, Ceyda Berceste, Teoman Kankılıç, and İlkay Civelek. 2025. “Metagenomic Characterization of the Bacterial Microbiota in Domestic Cat (Felis Catus) Saliva”. Biological Diversity and Conservation 18 (3): 389-94. https://doi.org/10.46309/biodicon.2025.1627700.
EndNote
Karabulut CB, Kankılıç T, Civelek İ (December 1, 2025) Metagenomic characterization of the bacterial microbiota in domestic cat (Felis catus) saliva. Biological Diversity and Conservation 18 3 389–394.
IEEE
[1]C. B. Karabulut, T. Kankılıç, and İ. Civelek, “Metagenomic characterization of the bacterial microbiota in domestic cat (Felis catus) saliva”, BioDiCon, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 389–394, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.46309/biodicon.2025.1627700.
ISNAD
Karabulut, Ceyda Berceste - Kankılıç, Teoman - Civelek, İlkay. “Metagenomic Characterization of the Bacterial Microbiota in Domestic Cat (Felis Catus) Saliva”. Biological Diversity and Conservation 18/3 (December 1, 2025): 389-394. https://doi.org/10.46309/biodicon.2025.1627700.
JAMA
1.Karabulut CB, Kankılıç T, Civelek İ. Metagenomic characterization of the bacterial microbiota in domestic cat (Felis catus) saliva. BioDiCon. 2025;18:389–394.
MLA
Karabulut, Ceyda Berceste, et al. “Metagenomic Characterization of the Bacterial Microbiota in Domestic Cat (Felis Catus) Saliva”. Biological Diversity and Conservation, vol. 18, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 389-94, doi:10.46309/biodicon.2025.1627700.
Vancouver
1.Ceyda Berceste Karabulut, Teoman Kankılıç, İlkay Civelek. Metagenomic characterization of the bacterial microbiota in domestic cat (Felis catus) saliva. BioDiCon. 2025 Dec. 1;18(3):389-94. doi:10.46309/biodicon.2025.1627700

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❖ Biological Diversity and Conservation 
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