We hypothesised that (1) dogs with CE have a higher proportion of highly IgA-coated bacteria in their faeces compared to healthy dogs; (2) flow cytometry and 16S rRNA could identify members of the microbiota that impact disease susceptibility or severity in dogs with CE and (3) resolution of the clinical signs in dogs with CE is associated with the eradication of bacteria highly coated with IgA. The gene discussed is CD79A; the disease is cholesteryl ester measurement.