Identification of Helicobacter spp. in oral secretions vs. gastric mucosa of stray cats. Vet Microbiol. 2010;140:142-146. [PMID: 19726141 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.07.019]

Helicobacter spp. in the Stomach of Cats: Successful Colonization and Absence of Relevant Histopathological Alterations Reveals High Adaptation to the Host Gastric Niche

In addition to Helicobacter pylori, many non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacters (NHPH) are able to cause gastric disease in humans. Cats are a natural reservoir for many of these species. Accordingly, living in close and intimate contact with animals has been identified as a risk factor, and an important zoonotic significance has therefore been attributed to NHPH. To determine the prevalence and associated gastric histopathological changes of Helicobacter species, the gastric mucosa of 71 cats were evaluated. Only four presented normal histopathological mucosa with the absence of spiral-shaped organisms. Normal gastric mucosa and the presence of spiral-shaped bacteria were observed in 13 cats. The remaining animals presented histopathological changes representative of gastritis. Helicobacter species were detected in 53 cats (74.6%) by at least one detection method. None of the animals were positive for H. pylori or for H. ailurogastricus. Helicobacter heilmannii organisms were identified in 20 animals, predominantly in the body gastric region. Helicobacter salomonis was the second most prevalent species (57.1%), although it was mainly found in association with other NHPH. Helicobacter felis and H. bizzozeronii were less frequently detected. The great majority of the Helicobacter spp. PCR-positive animals presented normal features regarding fibrosis/mucosal atrophy, neutrophils, eosinophils, or other inflammatory cells and lymphofollicular hyperplasia. Given the controversy and the strong evidence of absence of significant histopathological alterations associated with the presence of Helicobacter spp. in cats, it is possible to hypothesize that these bacteria may be able to adapt to the feline gastric microenvironment or even to comprise part of the gastric microbiome of this animal species. Thus, prudency must be taken when prescribing an antibiotic therapy based solely on the presence of these bacteria in the feline stomach.

Evidence of Helicobacter spp. in Saliva and Gastric Mucosa of Domestic Dogs in the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped bacterium, which plays a role in the aetiology of gastric diseases in humans. Non-H. pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) species naturally colonise the stomach of animals and also induce gastric lesions in humans, highlighting their zoonotic importance. We evaluated the gastric bacterial colonisation density and gastric lesions and sought to identify the main phylogenetic groups of the Helicobacter spp. obtained from dogs in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with this study aiming to investigate the occurrence of Helicobacter spp. in saliva and gastric samples from these dogs. This study included 35 dogs and used analysis such as cytology, histopathology, PCR, rapid urease testing, and phylogenetic analysis. Of the dogs, 94.3% were positive for Helicobacter spp., and these bacteria were present in the stomach of 32 dogs and saliva of eight. Respectively, eight, 15, and nine dogs had mild, moderate, and severe colonisation. Lymphocytic-plasmacytic infiltrate was the main gastric lesion. However, the presence of Helicobacter and the density appeared to be unrelated to the gastric lesions. The samples possessed a high nucleotide identity with remarkably similar sequences among some of the species of NHPH such as H. heilmannii s.s., H. salomonis, H. felis, and H. bizzozeronii. The saliva of domestic dogs, even of those who appear clinically healthy, can cause Helicobacter infection in humans and other animals, with, in these dogs, increased density, occurrence rate, and predominance of NHPH of zoonotic importance being found in the stomach with a lower occurrence of Helicobacter spp. in the saliva.

IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE Helicobacter spp. EM MUCOSAS GÁSTRICA E DUODENAL DE CÃES (Canis familiaris) UTILIZANDO A TÉCNICA DE WARTHIN-STARRY

Resumo Bactérias do gênero Helicobacter spp. têm sido identificadas na mucosa gástrica de diferentes espécies de mamíferos, inclusive em caninos. Pacientes infectados têm gastrite histológica; no entanto, não são todos os portadores que apresentam sinais clínicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar as bactérias sugestivas de Helicobacter spp. pela impregnação pela prata e caracterizar as lesões histopatológicas observadas. Foram analisadas amostras de mucosas gástrica e entérica de 26 caninos. Para avaliação histopatológica, foi realizada avaliação qualitativa, na qual foram atribuídos escores de ausente (-) a acentuada (+++), considerando a densidade de bactérias espiraladas por campo (400x), presença de células inflamatórias e aglomerados linfoides. Dos 26 animais avaliados, 34,6% apresentaram positividade para helicobacteriose. A gastrite foi observada em 15,38% dos animais e a maior ocorrência de bactérias do gênero Helicobacter spp. foi observada em região de corpo/fundo gástrico (23%). Em nove amostras, seis de corpo/fundo gástrico e três de antro pilórico, foram observados aglomerados linfóides associados a Helicobacter spp. Por meio de Teste de Fisher, verificou-se associação positiva entre a presença de Helicobacter spp. e agregados linfoides (p<0,001). A infecção por Helicobacter spp. está associada com a presença de aglomerados linfóides em caninos.

Identification of Helicobacter and Wolinella spp. in Oral Cavity of Toy Breed Dogs With Periodontal Disease

Periodontal diseases are the most common oral cavity infectious diseases in adult dogs. We aimed in this study to identify Helicobacter and Wolinella spp. in saliva and dental plaque of dogs with periodontitis. Sixty-two small-breed pet dogs, aged more than 6 years from both sexes, were categorized into healthy and periodontitis groups. Samples from saliva and dental plaques were collected, and Helicobacter and Wolinella were identified on genus and species levels using polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed significant increase in infection rate of Wolinella spp. in periodontitis compared with healthy dogs (P = .002). Furthermore, infection rate of Helicobacter genus was significantly higher in periodontitis compared with healthy dogs (P = .007). Infection with Wolinella spp. showed higher rate than Helicobacter spp. in dogs with periodontitis. According to species-specific polymerase chain reaction results, Helicobacter felis (9.76%) was the main Helicobacter spp. in dogs with periodontitis compared with healthy dogs (P < .001). Oral cavity of pet dogs with periodontitis could be considered as an important source of Wolinella and Helicobacter spp. infections.

Microbiota and probiotics in canine and feline welfare

Dogs and cats have been cohabiting with us for thousands of years. They are the major human companions. Today, dogs and cats live in urban areas. Cats and most dogs are on high carbohydrate diets and face similar life-style challenges as the human beings. The health and well-being of companion animals, just as their owners, depends on the gut microbes. Providing a proper care and nutritionally balanced diet to companion animals is recognised as a part of our responsibility to maintain the health and well being of our pet. However, as microbiota differences may facilitate exposure to pathogens and harmful environmental influences, it is prudent to search for novel tools to protect dogs and cats and at the same time the human owners from pathogens. Specific probiotic strains and/or their defined combinations may be useful in the canine and feline nutrition, therapy, and care. Probiotic supplementations have been successful in the prevention and treatment of acute gastroenteritis, treatment of IBD, and prevention of allergy in companion animals. New challenges for probiotic applications include maintenance of obesity and overweight, urogenital tract infections, Helicobacter gastritis and parasitic infections. The probiotics of human origin appear to be among the new promising tools for the maintenance of pets' health. However, the host-derived microorganisms might be the most appropriate probiotic source. Therefore, more controlled trials are needed to characterise new and safe probiotic preparations with an impact on general health and well being as well as health maintenance in dogs and cats.

A mixed population of Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter bizzozeronii and "Helicobacter heilmannii" in the gastric mucosa of a domestic cat

Background

The presence of Helicobacter within the gastric mucosa is responsible for producing pathology in many animal species, including man. Since humans have been shown to harbour many of the same bacterial species as domestic carnivores, concern over their zoonotic potential has been growing. Helicobacter pylori, a class 1 carcinogen responsible for cases of gastritis and gastric cancer in humans, produces similar pathology in pet carnivores and is considered an example of anthroponosis. The case here presented refers to a 13 year-old mixed breed spayed female cat seen at necropsy.

Findings

Stomach samples were analysed for the presence of Helicobacter spp. by cytology, histopathology and PCR. Mild mucosal atrophy was observed in the fundus and antrum, while lymphoplasmocytic infiltrates where noted in the lamina propria of the antrum. Helicobacter-like organisms were observed in the corpus and antrum, occupying gastric glands and surface mucosa. It was possible to detect Helicobacter spp., H. pylori, H. heilmannii and H. bizzozeronii in the fundus, corpus and antrum by PCR, while in the antrum PCR samples were positive for H. pylori.

Conclusions

The spayed female under study could represent either a yet un-described population of domestic cats infected with H. pylori or a case of anthroponosis.

Detection of Helicobacter spp. DNA in the colonic biopsies of stray dogs: molecular and histopathological investigations

Abstract

Virtual Slides

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Assessment of methods for detection of Helicobacter pylori in animal models

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major risk factor for chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer and is closely related to the occurrence of gastric cancer and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Rational use of animal models is very helpful for the clinical and preclinical investigation of H. pylori. However, the methods for detection of H. pylori in animal models were less reported. Most of the reported methods require the animal to be executed, and those not requiring killing the animal were less developed. This review will introduce seven methods for detection of H. pylori in animal models. These methods can meet the requirements for appropriate and accurate detection of H. pylori in different investigation conditions.

Helicobacter spp. in the saliva, stomach, duodenum and faeces of colony dogs

The role of Helicobacter spp. infection in canine gastrointestinal disease is unclear and routes of transmission are of epidemiological and zoonotic importance. The aim of this study was to identify Helicobacter spp. in the saliva, stomach, duodenum and faeces of dogs using a multiplex PCR, and to evaluate any attendant histopathological changes. Helicobacter canis was the most common species detected in saliva and faeces and no correlation between the presence of Helicobacter spp. and histopathological changes in either the stomach or duodenum was observed. All dogs examined were co-infected with up to four species of the organism. This is the first time these bacteria have been studied at species level at multiple sites within the canine alimentary tract.

The efficacy and safety of long-term Helicobacter species quadruple therapy in asymptomatic cats with naturally acquired infection

Owing to rising drug-resistant Helicobacter species infections in people and animals, currently therapies are losing their efficacy; therefore, regimens efficacious in the presence of drug resistance are needed. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of a 14-day quadruple Helicobacter species therapy in cats with naturally acquired infection. Thirteen asymptomatic adult stray cats with Helicobacter species infection (identified by analysis of gastric biopsies using polymerase chain reaction and Helicobacter-specific primers) received omeprazole 0.7mg/kg q 8h plus amoxicillin 20mg/kg q 12h, metronidazole 20mg/kg q 12h and clarithromycin 7.5mg/kg q 12h, for 14 days. Second molecular analysis of gastric biopsies revealed persistence of Helicobacter species DNA in four cats that were negative on quantitative urease testing, cytology and histopathology. Our results suggest that antibiotic regimens that are effective against Helicobacter pylori in people cannot eradicate Helicobacter species in cats with naturally acquired infection, although transient suppression may occur.

Helicobacter spp. other than Helicobacter pylori

Over the last 12 months, new insights into the association of non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacters with a range of human diseases in children and adults, including hepatobiliary disease, Crohn's disease, sepsis, and gastric disease were published. Studies investigating the presence of non-H. pylori Helicobacters in domestic animals reinforce previous findings that cats and dogs harbor gastric Helicobacter species and thus may be an important source of these organisms in humans. The confounding effect of enterohepatic Helicobacters on the outcome of biomedical research was investigated in several studies and led to recommendations that animals should be screened prior to performing experiments. A number of important and novel investigations regarding pathogenic mechanisms and immune responses to enterohepatic Helicobacters were conducted. Genomic advances in non-H. pylori Helicobacters included description of the complete genome of Helicobacter canadensis, delineation of two Helicobacter bilis genomospecies, and identification of a novel cis-regulatory RNA. New insights concerning growth conditions, biochemical characterization, and the effect of certain dietary compounds on Helicobacter spp. have also been reported.