Gastric Helicobacter-like Organisms Research Articles

Chronic Stress-Related Gastroenteric Pathology in Cheetah: Relation between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors.

Simple SummaryThe cheetah is the fastest land mammal. Habitat destruction, high mortality due to other predators, and illegal wildlife trade has led to a decrease in the wild population. Currently, the global adult population present in their natural habitat is estimated to be 7100 individuals. In captivity, the population suffers from limited reproduction and disease. Both the wild and captive populations have reduced genetic diversity from a historic bottleneck, leading to increased ecological and environmental vulnerability. Over the years, conservation programs have been developed for habitat protection, management of human–animal conflict, and the study of disease and genetics. Among these, the one with the greatest prevalence in captivity is chronic gastritis. This review analyzes the scientific literature on gastric pathology in cheetah, with the potential causes divided into “extrinsic factors”, such as living conditions and diet, and “intrinsic factors”, including the presence of Helicobacter-like organisms and the genetic predisposition.The rapid decline of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) throughout their range and long-term studies of captive breeding has increased conservation action for this species including the study of chronic diseases. Gastritis is one of the captive diseases that leads to high mortality presented with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss. The disease presents different histological lesions in the gastrointestinal tract that are characterized by inconstant and different clinical appearance in captive and free-range cheetahs. The aim of this review is to summarize the causes of chronic gastritis in the cheetah. Factors including diet, living conditions, infections with gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs), the lack of genetic polymorphism and the cheetah’s specific-immunocompetence are analyzed. All studies on gastroenteric cheetah pathologies, conducted between 1991 (to the best of our knowledge, the first report on online databases) and 2021, are included in this review, highlighting the possible correlation between stress-related captive conditions and chronic gastric pathology.

Helicobacter spp. in domestic cats: identification and relationship with anatomical and histopathological gastric changes in animals of blood group A

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms and the endoscopic and histopathological changes in domestic cats with blood type A. Samples from the stomach antrum, body and fundus were collected from 32 mixed-breed stray domestic cats using gastroscopy. Urease testing and cytological analysis were performed in fresh samples. Tissue sections were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and the Warthin-Starry (WS) silver staining methods for histopathological examination. Helicobacter spp. were detected in 100% of samples subjected to silver staining and cytological analysis, and in 96.9% of samples subjected to urease testing. In 87.5% of the cats, mononuclear inflammatory-cell infiltrates were identified. The graduation and distribution of inflammatory infiltrates in these cats revealed mild (78.1%) to moderate (9.4%) inflammatory changes in at least one gastric region. These changes were independent of the colonization score. Hyperplasia of the lymphoid follicles was detected in three cats. Cats of blood group A are often colonized by Helicobacter spp. and the macroscopic and microscopic findings are consistent with studies in domestic cats reported to date, concluding that the most common blood group in cats is not associated with high susceptibility to symptomatic gastritis.

Doğal Enfekte Köpeklerin Taze Mide İçeriği Örneklerinde Gastrik Helicobacter Türlerinin Taramalı Elektron Mikroskopi İle Değerlendirilmesi

Summary Different species of gastric Helicobacter-Like Organisms (GHLO) reported from dogs’ stomach. The aim of present study was to morphological evaluation of gastric Helicobacter spp. in fresh gastric samples of naturally infected dogs. Thirty two gastric samples of the stray dog were taken at necropsy. The specimens were used for rapid urease test, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Light microscopy examination confirmed the presence of GHLO in 90.5% of stray dogs. 87.5% and 94% of gastric samples were positive in rapid urease test and PCR, respectively. Four distinguishable Helicobacter organisms were confirmed by SEM. Three strains of these organisms were inditified as H. felis, candidatus H. heilmanii and H. bizzozeronii because of their apparent morphological differences and PCR results. The last strain of these bacteria was not distinguishable with routine studies. The large-scale studies with fast and simple recognition methods are recommended to confirm the different types of canine gastric Helicobacter. The results of present study showed further investigation in canine GHLO is required because new species of Helicobacter reported.

Eradication of gastric Helicobacter spp. by triple therapy in dogs

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a triple anti-Helicobacter therapy using omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (OAC) in dogs. A total of 15 healthy adult stray dogs with naturally acquired Helicobacter infection were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction and rapid urease test. Subsequently, they received a 21-day triple regimen. One day after the discontinuation of treatment, a second molecular analysis of gastric biopsies revealed complete eradication of Helicobacter DNA with negative quantitative urease testing in all 15 dogs. Our results confirmed the high prevalence of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) in the stray dog population of Shiraz, Iran, and the effectiveness of our therapeutic regimen for the complete eradication of these microorganisms in stray dogs. In conclusion, for the complete elimination of non-pylori Helicobacter spp. from the gastric mucosa of dogs, a 21-day three-drug regimen with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin is suggested.

Assessment of antimicrobial resistance of cultivable Helicobacter-like organisms in asymptomatic dogs

Summary This study was performed to detect cultivable canine gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLO's) and to evaluate their sensitivity to common antibiotics in two groups of naturally infected dogs (pets and stray dogs). Gastric samples were taken from the body and antrum of 30 pets and 30 stray dogs. From each part of canine gastric mucosa, four gastroscopic samples were used for impression smear, rapid urease test (RUT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture examination. 88.5% and 95% of gastric samples were positive for the presence of GHLO's in cytological and PCR examination, respectively. From 60 canine gastric cultures, successful growth happened in 17 cases. Antimicrobial sensitivity test was performed by disk method. All isolates of helicobacters were highly susceptible to polymyxin B, ampicillin, tetracycline, clarithromycin, erythromycin and gentamicin. Two isolated GHLO's were resistant to metronidazole. One strain also was resistant to amoxiclav, ceftriaxone, norfloxacin and oxytetracycline. This matter could show the resistance of some strains of helicobacters to different antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. With regards to the results of this study, it is recommended that antibiotic sensitivity test or use of concurrent different antibiotics be tried in the case of treatment resistance.

Gastric Helicobacter-like Organisms in Stray Cats

Ten adult domestic shorthaired stray cats (Felis catus) were investigated for the presence and localization of different species of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) using Warthin-Starry silver staining, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM); the severity and distribution of lesions in different regions of the stomach were assessed in HE-stained sections. GHLOs were present in all areas of the stomach in all of 10 cats. Three morphologically different types of spiral-shaped bacteria were demonstrated; in silver-stained sections, H. pylori like organisms (HPLO) were easily differentiated from other GHLOs. Eight of the cats had H. heilmannii-like organisms (HHLOs) and one cat had HPLO. Mixed H. heilmannii and H. felis infection was seen in only one cat. GHLO infection was associated with a mild to severe gastritis in 8 of 10 cats. GHLOs colonized the cardia, corpus and antrum in similar density. The most striking histopathological changes consisted of accumulation of lymphocytes and neutrophilic granulocytes, fibrosis of the lamina propria mucosae, lymphoid follicles and lymphocytic infiltrates. There was no obvious relation between the degree of colonization by GHLOs and the extent of histopathological changes. GHLOs were present on the mucosal surface, in the lumen of gastric glands, and in the cytoplasm of parietal cells. These findings indicate that immunohistochemistry and silver staining are useful for detecting GHLO infections, particularly with different Helicobacter species present. Stray cats are frequently colonized by HHLOs without any significant correlation between the degree of infection and gastritis score; in contrast HPLOs and HFLOs infections are not very common.

Helicobacter infection in dogs and cats: to treat or not to treat?

CHRONIC vomiting is very common in both dogs and cats, with ever-increasing numbers of patients undergoing endoscopic examination and biopsy collection to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Histopathological examination of biopsy...

Helicobacter pylori and food products: a public health problem.

Helicobacter pylori is a major human pathogen causing gastritis and chronic superficial infection (CSG). It colonizes the stomach of more than 50% of humans and causes disease. This microorganism is associated with the gastric antral epithelium in patients with active chronic gastritis, peptic (gastric) or duodenal ulcers, and gastric adenocarcinoma H. pylori is present in feces, sewage, and water but is killed by routine chlorination. Therefore, in developing countries, consumption of sewage-contaminated drinking water and vegetables may pose a risk; properly cooking foods and chlorinating water reduces the risk of transmitting H. pylori to humans. In South America the consumption of raw vegetables fertilized with human feces has been found to be a risk factor for infection, and consumption of water from a municipal supply has been suggested as a risk factor for children. Epidemiological studies have found that H. pylori organisms colonize the stomach and duodenum of humans and many animal species and family clusters; it is believed to be orally transmitted person to person. This transmission is the major, if not exclusive, source of infection.H. pylori has been detected in the mouth from dental plaque. Recent observations in persons infected with H. pylori caused to vomit or have diarrhea showed that an actively unwell person with these symptoms could spread H. pylori in the immediate vicinity by aerosol, splashing of vomitus, infected vomitus, and infected diarrhea. In summary, H. pylori is usually spread by the fecal-oral route but possibly also by the oral-oral route and the spread of contaminated secretions. Thus, in developing countries, individuals catch H. pylori at a very young age from other persons (children) in their environment. In developed countries, H. pylori is more difficult to acquire and is usually transmitted from one family member to another, possibly by the fecal-oral route, or by the oral-oral route, e.g., kissing, vomitus. On occasion, transmission occurs from person to person via contaminated endoscopes. Other gastric Helicobacter-like organisms have now been observed in a variety of animals, including rodents, primates, swine, and ferrets, but, with the exception of primates and possibly cats, these isolates are clearly different from human isolates. Foodborne transmission would not be unusual.

REVIEW Gastric helicobacters in cats

The types of helicobacter which are found in the stomachs of carnivorous pets, especially cats, have been traditionally referred to as ‘gastric helicobacter-like organisms’ (GHLOs). These are microaerophilic, Gram-negative, spiral bacteria with multiple terminal flagellae and are endowed with high-level urease activity which allows them to survive in an acidic environment. Certain species have one or more periplasmic fibrils. The two GHLOs most commonly found in cats are Helicobacter felis and a species related to H heilmannii which was recently cultured from dogs. All phenotypic and genotypic (16S RNA gene sequences) evidence suggests that both of these bacteria belong in the genusHelicobacter . Whether or not helicobacters can be transmitted to humans from carnivorous pets is controversial but the recent discovery of H pylori -infected cats may be evidence of an animal reservoir for this pathogen. Although the role ofH pylori in inducing antral gastritis and perpetuating pyloric ulcers in humans is well established, whether or notHelicobacter spp are causally involved in any feline gastric inflammatory conditions is unknown.

Helicobacter infection in dogs and cats: facts and fiction.

The discovery of the spiral bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its causative role in gastric disease in humans has brought a dramatic change to gastroenterology. Although spiral bacteria have been known for more than a century to infect the stomachs of dogs and cats, recent research has been conducted mainly in the wake of interest in H. pylori. H. pylori has not been found in dogs and only very rarely in cats and zoonotic risk is minimal. A variety of other Helicobacter spp. can infect the stomach of pets; however, their pathogenic role is far from clear, and they have a small but real zoonotic potential. The prevalence of gastric Helicobacter spp. in dogs and cats is high, irrespective of clinical signs, and as in human medicine, mode of transmission is unclear. The relationship of Helicobacter spp. to gastric inflammation in cats and dogs is unresolved, with inflammation, glandular degeneration, and lymphoid follicle hyperplasia accompanying infection in some but not all subjects. Circulating anti-Helicobacter immunoglobulin G antibodies have been detected in 80% of dogs with naturally acquired infection and most dogs and cats with experimental infection. The gastric secretory axis is similar in infected and uninfected cats and dogs and no relationship of infection to gastrointestinal ulcers has been found. Differences in the pathogenicity of Helicobacter spp. are apparent, because infection with H pylori is associated with a more severe gastritis than infection with other Helicobacter spp. in both cats and dogs. Rapid urease test, histopathology, and touch cytology are all highly accurate invasive diagnostic tests for gastric Helicobacter-like organisms in dogs and cats, whereas culture and polymerase chain reaction are the only means to identify them to the species level. Urea breath and blood tests or serology can be used to diagnose Helicobacter spp. noninvasively in dogs and cats. Most therapeutic studies in pets have not shown long-term eradication of Helicobacter spp. Whether this is due to reinfection or recrudescence has not been established.

Gastric Helicobacter species infection in dogs and cats

THE discovery of an association between Helicobacter pylori and gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric neoplasia has led to fundamental changes in the understanding of gastric disease in humans. Investigation of...

Healthy cats are commonly colonized with "Helicobacter heilmannii" that is associated with minimal gastritis.

Gastric Helicobacter infection in healthy pet cats is not well characterized. We performed endoscopy with gastric biopsy on 15 healthy pet cats that were rigorously screened to exclude underlying or concurrent diseases that might affect Helicobacter colonization. Gastric mucosa biopsy specimens were examined by histology, culture, and PCR for the presence of Helicobacter infection and by histology for the presence of gastritis. Of 15 cats, all but 1 had gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) on examination by light microscopy, and in the one histologically negative cat, GHLOs were detected by PCR. Gastric inflammation was mild or was absent for all cats. No Helicobacter species were identified by culture. Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence from Helicobacter strains from 10 cats showed that all bacteria were closely related to Helicobacter felis, although there was heterogeneity among the sequences. These results suggest that the gastric mucosa of healthy pet cats is commonly colonized with an uncultivated Helicobacter that is closely related to H. felis, is associated with little or no gastritis, and shows heterogeneity in its 16S rRNA sequence. The epithet "Helicobacter heilmannii" continues to be an appropriate working designation for these bacteria.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of different gastric helicobacter like organisms (GHLO) in dogs

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of different gastric helicobacter like organisms (GHLO) in dogs

Detection and prevalence of Helicobacter infection in pet cats.

The presence of spiral bacteria in the feline stomach has been recognized for over a century, but the identities and degrees of prevalence of such organisms in privately owned cats are still poorly documented. The aims of this study were (i) to adapt different diagnostic tools and evaluate their practicality for diagnosing feline gastric Helicobacter colonization, (ii) to determine the prevalence of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms in pet cats, (iii) to identify the feline species, and (iv) to correlate the presence of a Helicobacter infection with gastritis. Biopsy samples were taken gastroscopically from the antra and the corpora of clinically healthy pet cats. Helicobacter-like organisms were detected by Gram staining, Warthin-Starry staining, and rapid urease testing in biopsy specimens and by [13C]urea breath testing in 79, 77, 78, and 85% of cases, respectively. PCR analysis revealed that 78% of the cats (38 of 49) were infected by Helicobacter heilmannii; however, none of them was harboring Helicobacter pylori or Helicobacter felis. Culture was positive for one cat; the organism was identified as Helicobacter pametensis by dot blot DNA hybridization. By a combination of the detection methods, 91% of the pet cats were found to be Helicobacter positive. For 46 cats (79%) diagnostic tests were concordant. All cats showed mild to moderate gastritis in either the antrum or the corpus, regardless of the presence or density of gastric bacteria. In summary, pet cats are frequently colonized by H. heilmannii without a significant correlation between infection and degree of gastritis.

Comparison of diagnostic methods for detecting gastric Helicobacter-like organisms in dogs and cats

Diagnostic methods for detecting gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) in dogs and cats were compared. Samples for brush cytology, the urease test and histological examination were collected post mortem from the fundus, corpus and antrum of 10 dogs (17 sample sites from each animal) and 10 cats (14 sample sites each). Samples of tissue from the fundus or corpus were taken for transmission electron microscopy and culture from three and eight dogs, respectively, and from six cats that gave a positive urease test with samples from these regions. In all dogs and in six of the 10 cats, GHLOs were detected by at least one of three methods (brush cytology, urease test or histological examination) in all regions. By brush cytology, GHLOs were demonstrated in all samples from the dogs and the positive cats. In cats, the urease test (60 min) gave a positive result in every sample site; in dogs it gave a positive result in 100% of the corpus samples, in 95% of the fundus samples and in 62% of the antral samples. Histological examination revealed GHLOs in all samples from the fundus and corpus of the dogs and of the positive cats; and in 74% and 91.7% of the antral samples of the dogs and cats, respectively. GHLOs were seen in all dogs and cats studied by transmission electron microscopy, and culture of gastric tissue was successful in 3/8 dogs and 1/6 cats. In this study, brush cytology was thus the most sensitive method for demonstrating GHLOs.

Occurrence and topographical mapping of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms and their association with histological changes in apparently healthy dogs and cats.

The occurrence and topographical mapping of the gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) and their association with histological changes were studied in apparently healthy dogs and cats. Multiple samples were collected for histological examination from the fundus, corpus and antrum of the stomach of 10 dogs and 10 cats. Fundus and corpus were also sampled for transmission electron microscopy (three dogs, six cats), and for culture (eight dogs, six cats). In all dogs, GHLOs were detected in the fundus and corpus, and in the antrum of nine dogs, and significantly more often in the fundus and corpus (in all sample sites examined) than the antrum (P < 0.01). In cats, GHLOs were demonstrated in 6/10 individuals, and in all regions and sample sites. In dogs GHLOs were detected in all sample sites of the fundus and corpus. Lymphocytes, plasma cells and lymphocyte aggregates were found in all dogs in all regions; there were significantly more plasma cells in the antrum than in the corpus (P < 0.05). Neutrophils were found in six dogs, and eosinophils in seven dogs. In cats, lymphocyte aggregates were found only in GHLO-positive cats, which also had more lymphocytes in the fundus and corpus than GHLO-negative ones (P < 0.5). In dogs, no statistically significant association was found between the number of GHLOs and inflammatory parameters. Four dogs showed histological changes comparable to mild chronic gastritis and another six dogs to mild active chronic gastritis. Mild chronic gastritis was found in the antrum of all cats, and it occurred significantly more often in the antrum than in other regions (P < 0.01). In cats, there was a statistically significant association between GHLOs and chronic gastritis in the fundus and corpus (P < 0.05). GHLOs resembling human 'Helicobacter heilmannii' were identified in all the dogs and cats studied by electron microscopy, and Helicobacter felis in one dog in addition. Culture was successful in three dogs and one cat; 'H, heilmannii' was identified in two of the dogs, and H. felis in the third dog and the cat. GHLOs were found to be common in apparently health dogs and cats. Based on the results of this study, one sample from the fundus and corpus is enough to demonstrate GHLOs. In cats, GHLOs may cause histological changes comparable to chronic gastritis, but in dogs this association remain unclear. It is also questionable if the histological criteria for human gastritis, used in the present study, are suitable for dogs and cats.

Animal and public health implications of gastric colonization of cats by Helicobacter-like organisms.

The bacterial genus Helicobacter contains a number of species which colonize the gastric mucosa of mammals. Natural and/or experimental gastric pathology has been correlated with colonization in humans and a wide variety of animal species. Historical reports in the literature suggest that a high percentage of cats are colonized by large, spiral, gastric helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs). One of these bacteria (Helicobacter felis) has been isolated on artificial media and has experimentally caused gastritis in gnotobiotic dogs. This study surveyed the prevalence of helicobacter colonization in random-source cats by using the urease assay. Histologic examination was performed to determine the degree of associated pathology present. GHLOs associated with chronic gastritis were present in 70% of the juvenile and 97% of the adult cats studied. Although further study is needed to determine specifically what role GHLOs play in feline gastrointestinal disease, these results indicate that helicobacter colonization should be considered in the pathogenesis of feline gastroenteropathy. Furthermore, the high prevalence of feline infection is interesting because cats have recently been implicated as a potential reservoir for human infection by helicobacter-like organisms.