Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detection of atypical cultivable canine gastric Helicobacter strain and its biochemical and morphological characters in naturally infected dogs.
- Journal:
- Zoonoses and public health
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Asl, A Shabestari et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In this study, researchers looked at a type of bacteria called Helicobacter that can be found in the stomachs of dogs. They took samples from 30 healthy stray dogs and 30 pet dogs using a procedure called gastroscopy, which involves looking inside the stomach with a camera. They found that 11 of the stray dogs and 6 of the pet dogs had these bacteria. Some of the bacteria had unusual shapes and were smaller than what is typically expected. The findings suggest that there are different types of these bacteria in dogs, and more research is needed to understand their significance and effects on dog health.
Abstract
Helicobacter-like organisms are frequently found in canine stomachs, but the relationship between such organisms and gastric pathology has not been established. However, some such organisms have zoonotic importance. The aims of this study were to evaluate the morphological and biochemical characteristics of cultivable canine gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs) in pets and stray dogs and their prevalence in these two groups of dogs. Specimens were taken by gastroscopy from 30 clinically healthy stray dogs and 30 pet dogs. Cultures were positive from biopsies of 11/30 of stray and 6/30 of pet dogs. The isolated Helicobacters were observed by light microscopy and studied by biochemical, physiological and PCR analysis. Some of the isolated GHLO's displayed atypical shapes that were similar to Helicobacter pylori or Helicobacter acinonychis in stray dogs' cytological examinations. They had 2-3 helices and were smaller than other canine GHLOs. One of these atypical Helicobacter strains was cultured. It was not possible to distinguish such strains by routine PCR and biochemical evaluations. Electron microscopy showed a smaller Helicobacter (2 microm in length) with 2 or 3 helixes. This study demonstrates that not all canine gastric Helicobacters are 5-15 microm in length, as has been previously proposed, and portrays the need for further investigation of canine GHLOs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19486497/