Helicobacter Species and Their Association with Gastric Pathology in a Cohort of Dogs with Chronic Gastrointestinal Signs

[Detection of Helicobacter species in humans and their dog]

Helicobacter is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that colonizes the stomach of humans and dogs, among other mammals. The most frequent species found in the gastric mucosa of man is H. pylori, however, there are other species of Helicobacter in the stomach of humans, such as H. suis, H. bizzozeronii, H. felis, H. salomonis and H. heilmannii sensu stricto, named non H. pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) some of which also colonize the dog's stomach. The detection of NHPH in the stomach mucosa of humans with gastric disease, and in a high percentage of dogs, suggests the possibility that these animals play an important role in the pathogenesis and transmission of infection to man, postulating the path of transmission oral-oral or fecal-oral. The aim of this study was to determine whether people with signs of chronic gastritis who have Helicobacter spp. and who own dogs as pets, share the same species with them. The presence of Helicobacter spp. in gastric samples of 30 people with clinical signs of chronic gastritis and histopathological diagnosis of gastric infection with Helicobacter spp. was analyzed by PCR. The presence of Helicobacter spp. was also studied in the dogs of these people. Then, the species of Helicobacter presented was determined in both. In human gastric samples, H. pylori was the only species found, while in dogs, samples were H. bizzozeronii, H. felis, H. salomonis and H. heilmannii. In this work the same species were not found in dogs and their owners.

Effect of an Enteroprotective Complementary Feed on Faecal Markers of Inflammation and Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Weaning Puppies

Weaning entails numerous modifications of the intestinal structure and microbiota composition, making puppies at high risk of sickness during this delicate life stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a four-week administration of a supplement composed of ultramicronised Palmitoylethanolamide, bovine colostrum and Bacillus subtilis (Normalia® Extra, Innovet Italia Srl, Saccolongo, Italy) on markers of gut health and microbiome of weaning puppies. Twenty-nine four-week-old Golden Retriever puppies were randomly assigned to control (CG, n = 13) and treated (TG, n = 16) groups. During the whole experimental time, there were no differences between the groups with regard to average daily gain and faecal score. In TG, faecal calprotectin and zonulin values were statistically significantly decreased compared to CG, especially at week 8 (zonulin: 42.8 ± 1.54 ng/mL and 55.3 ± 42.8 ng/mL, and calprotectin: 2.91 ± 0.38 µg/g and 5.71 ± 0.43 µg/g, in TG and CG, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Bacteria belonging to phylum Campylobacterota decreased (p = 0.04), while those referring to genera Coprococcus and Pseudomonas increased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). The supplementation of the tested complementary feed can promote the intestinal health of puppies and therefore facilitate weaning by lowering gut inflammation.

Molecular Detection of Metronidazole and Tetracycline Resistance Genes in Helicobacter pylori-Like Positive Gastric Samples from Pigs

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of antibiotic resistance genes, previously reported in Helicobacter pylori, in gastric samples of 36 pigs, in which DNA of H. pylori-like organisms had been detected. Based on PCR and sequencing analysis, two samples were positive for the 16S rRNA mutation gene, conferring tetracycline resistance, and one sample was positive for the frxA gene with a single nucleotide polymorphism, conferring metronidazole resistance. All three amplicons showed the highest homology with H. pylori-associated antibiotic resistance gene sequences. These findings indicate that acquired antimicrobial resistance may occur in H. pylori-like organisms associated with pigs.

Investigation with Real-Time PCR and Histopathology on the presence of H. felis, H. heilmannii and H. pylori in dogs

Helicobacter species such as H. heilmannii, H. pylori, H. felis, H. bizzozeronii and H. salomonis have been identified in cats and dogs, and research suggesting that these species may be zoonotic agents and has been studied intensified in recent years. The aim of this study was to reveal the presence, comparing the histopathological findings and Real-time PCR results of H. felis, H. heilmannii, and H. pylori in the stomach and liver tissues taken during the necropsies of owned, stray or shelter dogs. The material of the study consisted of stomach and liver tissues taken from 35 dogs that died for different reasons and were brought for necropsy. DNA copies of H. heilmannii were detected by Real-time PCR in the liver samples of 30 dogs using H. heilmannii-specific primers. In the case of gastric samples, Real-time PCR detected H. heilmannii in 13 cases, H. pylori in 3 cases, both H. heilmannii and H. pylori in 13 cases, and H. felis, H. heilmannii and H. pylori in 3 cases. Microscopically, neutrophil leukocyte infiltration, epithelial degeneration, fibrosis and oedema in the lamina propia, and lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration were determined in the stomachs. In the Hemotoxylin Eosin staining of the sections, 5 cases and 14 cases in the Warthin–Starry staining were found positive for Helicobacter-like microorganisms. Microscopically, dissociation of the remark cords and hydropic degeneration in hepatocytes, and focal mononuclear cell infiltrations in some sections were determined in the livers. In conclusion, with this study, it was understood that Real-time PCR analyzes are very useful in the diagnosis of H. felis, H. heilmannii, and H. pylori. However, histopathological examinations are necessary to associate the presence of bacteria with the development of the disease.