Chronic enteropathy encompasses which phenotypes?

Chronic enteropathy encompasses which phenotypes?

• A. Food-responsive, microbiota/antibiotic-responsive, steroid-responsive (IBD)
• B. Only Food-responsive
• C. Only Steroid-responsive (IBD)
• D. Only Microbiota/antibiotic-responsive

Answer: (A)

Chronic enteropathy is defined by how the GI tract responds to treatment rather than by a single cause, so it includes several distinct phenotypes. The main ones are food-responsive enteropathy, antibiotic- or microbiota-responsive enteropathy, and steroid-responsive enteropathy (often called IBD). A dog or cat may improve on an elimination or hydrolyzed protein diet, or may improve after altering the gut microbiota with antibiotics, or may require immunosuppressive therapy such as corticosteroids because the inflammation is immune-mediated. Because the category encompasses all three guiding responses, it is correct to say chronic enteropathy includes these phenotypes rather than just one.

Chronic enteropathy is defined by how the GI tract responds to treatment rather than by a single cause, so it includes several distinct phenotypes. The main ones are food-responsive enteropathy, antibiotic- or microbiota-responsive enteropathy, and steroid-responsive enteropathy (often called IBD). A dog or cat may improve on an elimination or hydrolyzed protein diet, or may improve after altering the gut microbiota with antibiotics, or may require immunosuppressive therapy such as corticosteroids because the inflammation is immune-mediated. Because the category encompasses all three guiding responses, it is correct to say chronic enteropathy includes these phenotypes rather than just one.