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Abstract: Problem assessed:: Hepatitis, either acute or chronic, is a relatively common hepatic disease in dogs. Several forms of canine hepatitis can occur, some with a defined cause, most cases have an unknown etiology. The similarities between canine hepatitis and human viral hepatitis suggest that canine hepatitis may have a viral etiology too. Objective:: To test liver tissue of dogs with hepatitis for the presence of candidate agents based on their known association with hepatitis in other mammals. Methods and approach:: The following infectious agents were tested by PCR: Hepadnaviridae, Helicobacter spp., Leptospira spp., Borrelia spp., hepatitis A virus, hepatitis C virus and hepatitis E virus. Also canine adenovirus and parvovirus were included. Ninety-eight liver tissue samples of dogs with various histologically diagnoses forms of hepatitis were tested. Primers were designed on conserved regions in the genome of each of these agents, to increase the likelihood of detection by PCR. To further increase sensitivity, nested PCRs for all agents were designed. Finally, for each agent a nested short primer PCR (SPP) was performed. Results:: None of these agents were detected by nested PCR and nested SPP. However, in two acute hepatitis liver samples parvovirus was detected by nested PCR, and one of these was also detected by nested SPP. Conclusions:: Hepatitis in dogs is not caused by agents with high homology to known infectious agents that cause hepatitis in other species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lymphocytic cholangitis (LC) in cats is a biliary disease of unknown etiology. Helicobacter spp. were recently implicated in human primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Because of the similarities between PSC/PBC with LC, we hypothesized that Helicobacter spp. are involved in feline LC. A PCR with Helicobacter genus-specific 16S rRNA primers was performed on DNA isolated from feline bile samples. Four of the 15 (26%) LC samples were positive, whereas only 8/51 (16%) of non-LC samples were PCR positive (p=0.44). Sequence analysis of the amplicons revealed a 100% identity with the Helicobacter pylori specific DNA fragments. Our data suggest an etiological role of H. pylori in feline LC and that cats are a potential zoonotic reservoir. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The lipopolysaccharide of Helicobacter pylori plays an important role in colonization and pathogenicity. The present study sought to compare structural and biological features of lipopolysaccharides from gastric and enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. not previously characterized. Purified lipopolysaccharides from four gastric Helicobacter spp. ( H. pylori, Helicobacter felis, Helicobacter bizzozeronii and Helicobacter mustelae) and four enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. ( Helicobacter hepaticus, Helicobacter bilis, ‘ Helicobacter sp. flexispira’ and Helicobacter pullorum) were structurally characterized using electrophoretic, serological and chemical methods. Structural insights into all three moieties of the lipopolysaccharides, i.e. lipid A, core and O-polysaccharide chains, were gained. All species expressed lipopolysaccharides bearing an O-polysaccharide chain, but H. mustelae and H. hepaticus produced truncated semirough lipopolysaccharides. However, in contrast to lipopolysaccharides of H. pylori and H. mustelae, no blood group mimicry was detected in the other Helicobacter spp. examined. Intra-species, but not interspecies, fatty acid profiles of lipopolysaccharides were identical within the genus. Although shared lipopolysaccharide-core epitopes with H. pylori occurred, differing structural characteristics were noted in this lipopolysaccharide region of some Helicobacter spp. The lipopolysaccharides of the gastric helicobacters, H. bizzozeronii and H. mustelae, had relative Limulus amoebocyte lysate activities which clustered around that of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide, whereas H. bilis, ‘ Helicobacter sp. flexispira’ and H. hepaticus formed a cluster with approximately 1000–10,000-fold lower activities. H. pullorum lipopolysaccharide had the highest relative Limulus amoebocyte lysate activity of all the helicobacter lipopolysaccharides (10-fold higher than that of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide), and all the lipopolysaccharides of enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. were capable of inducing nuclear factor-Kappa B(NF-κB) activation. The collective results demonstrate the structural heterogeneity and pathogenic potential of lipopolysaccharides of the Helicobacter genus as a group and these differences in lipopolysaccharides may be indicative of adaptation of the bacteria to different ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The canine gastric mucosa is known to be a habitat for various Helicobacter species. So far, five Helicobacter species have been described from the canine gastric mucosa, but histological studies have demonstrated a greater variety. In order to gain more information on diversity of canine gastric mucosa colonising helicobacters, biopsy samples of four pet dogs were examined by DNA-based techniques. PCR with a primer pair binding specifically to the 16S rDNA of the species of the genus Helicobacter and generating a fragment of approximately 400 bp indicated the presence of Helicobacter strains in the stomachs of the four dogs. PCR products were cloned into Escherichia coli DH10B™ and PCR-re-amplified 16S rDNA fragments were subjected to amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) employing restriction enzyme HhaI. Restriction profiles indicated the presence of at least two different Helicobacter species in two dogs. Partial sequences of 16S rDNA of six clones were compared with sequences available in the EMBL data bank. Two sequences obtained from different dogs were identical with the corresponding sequences of Helicobacter pylori strains. Three sequences showed highest but moderate similarity values to H. pylori (96.6–98.0%) and one sequence to Helicobacter salomonis (97.3%). In contrast to previous reports our data implicate that the gastric mucosa of dogs may be colonised by strains of H. pylori or a very closely related species but they also confirm indications for the presence of so far uncultivated species of Helicobacter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We carried out a microscopic examination of stools from a 2-month-old female puppy with bloody diarrhea, and this revealed large numbers of different spiral-shaped bacteria. To isolate these organisms, a rectal swab specimen was inoculated onto plates of Skirrow’s agar and incubated at 37 °C for 6 days in a microaerobic atmosphere. Finally, a total of six different spiral-shaped bacteria (strains G1104, 94105, FR106, B0101, 3J102, and J2103) were isolated. Based on their morphology, biochemical traits, whole-cell protein profiles, and analysis of their 16S rDNA sequences, they were identified as Campylobacter upsaliensis, Helicobacter cinaedi, ‘Flexispira rappini’, two Anaerobiospirillum spp. with different morphologies, and Helicobacter sp., respectively. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data for strains 94150 (H. cinaedi) and FR106 (F. rappini) revealed that this approach has limitations when identifying isolates to the species level because of a high degree of sequence homology between these species (>99%) and considerable sequence variation among different isolates within these species. The dog was treated orally with amoxicillin for 3 days, which resolved the diarrhea. However, 1 day after the last dose the bloody diarrhea recurred but regarded to six more days amoxicillin treatment. This suggests a bacterial cause for the diarrhea. The approach to identification to microaerobic spiral-shaped bacteria in diarrheic dogs can be applied further to characterize their role in diarrhea illness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The microbiota of the intestinal tract plays important roles in the overall health, productivity and wellbeing of the animals. We have characterized the intestinal microbiota of the ferret because its human cohabitation may increase the possibility of new zoonosis. The presence of anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria has been evaluated in fresh fecal specimens of 40 ferrets in apparently good health. The bacteria most frequently isolated were Clostridium acetobutylicum (25/40 samples, 62.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.81-76.83%) and Helicobacter spp. (16/40 samples, 40.0%; 95% CI: 25.28-56.61%), as anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria, respectively. The Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method showed penicillin, streptomycin and vancomycin resistances in high percentages (>80%) of the bacterial isolates, both in anaerobic and microaerophilic groups. Furthermore, the microaerophilic-bacteria group exhibited a significantly higher antibiotic-resistance profile compared to that of anaerobic-bacteria group. The presence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in the microbiota of the ferret gastrointestinal tract is a great concern for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gastric carcinoma (GC) continues to be one of the leading causes of death in humans and is the most common neoplasm in the stomachs of dogs. In both species, previous studies have demonstrated that the disease is heterogeneous, with genetic and environmental factors playing a quintessential role in disease pathogenesis. Compared to humans, the incidence of gastric carcinoma in dogs is low although, in a small number of breeds, a higher incidence has been reported. In dogs, the etiology and molecular pathways involved remain largely unknown. This retrospective study reviews current signalment data, evaluates the inflammatory component and association with Helicobacter spp. presence in various canine gastric carcinoma histological subtypes, and investigates potential molecular pathways involved in one of the largest study cohorts to date. The benefit of such a comparative study is to highlight the parallel histological features and molecular pathways between dogs and humans. Canine gastric carcinoma (CGC) affects both sexes in relatively equal proportions, with a mean age of nine years, and the highest frequency in Staffordshire bull terriers. The most common histological subtype in 149 CGC cases was the undifferentiated carcinoma. CGCs were associated with increased chronic inflammation parameters and a greater chronic inflammatory score when Helicobacter spp. were present. Understanding the molecular pathways of gastric carcinoma is challenging. All markers showed variable expression for each subtype. Expression of the cell cycle regulator 14-3-3σ was positive in undifferentiated, tubular and papillary carcinomas. This demonstrates that 14-3-3σ could serve as an immunohistochemical marker in routine diagnosis and that mucinous, papillary and signet-ring cell (SRC) carcinomas follow a 14-3-3σ independent pathway. p16, another cell cycle regulator, showed increased expression in mucinous and SRC carcinomas. Expression of the adhesion molecules E-cadherin and CD44 appear context-dependent, with switching within tumor emboli potentially playing an important role in tumor cell survival, during invasion and metastasis. Within neoplastic emboli, acinar structures lacked expression of all markers, suggesting an independent molecular pathway that requires further investigation. These findings demonstrate similarities and differences between dogs and humans, albeit further clinicopathological data and molecular analysis are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Helicobacter pylori and H. suis are associated with gastric pathologies in humans. To obtain better insights into the potential role of wild boars as reservoirs of these pathogens, gastric samples of 14 animals were tested for the presence of H. pylori and H. suis DNA. Two wild boars were found PCR-positive for H. pylori and one for H. suis. This indicates that these microorganisms may colonize the stomach of wild boars. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects half of the human population worldwide, causing gastric disorders, such as chronic gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, and gastric malignancies. Helicobacter suis (H. suis) is mainly associated with pigs, but can also colonize the stomach of humans, resulting in gastric pathologies. In pigs, H. suis can induce gastritis and seems to play a role in gastric ulcer disease, seriously affecting animal production and welfare. Since close interactions between domestic animals, wildlife, and humans can increase bacterial transmission risk between species, samples of gastric tissue of 14 free range wild boars (Sus scrofa) were evaluated for the presence of H. pylori and H. suis using PCR. Samples from the antral gastric mucosa from two animals were PCR-positive for H. pylori and another one for H. suis. These findings indicate that these microorganisms were able to colonize the stomach of wild boars and raise awareness for their putative intervention in Helicobacter spp. transmission cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicobacter species have been reported in animals, some of which are of zoonotic importance. This study aimed to detect Helicobacter species among human and animal samples using conventional PCR assays and to identify their zoonotic potentials. Helicobacter species was identified in human and animal samples by genus-specific PCR assays and phylogenetic analysis of partial sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The results revealed that Helicobacter species DNA was detected in 13 of 29 (44.83%) of the human samples. H. pylori was identified in 2 (15.38%), and H. bovis was detected in 4 (30.77%), whereas 7 (53.85%) were unidentified. H. bovis and H. heilmannii were prevalent among the animal samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed bootstrapping of sequences with H. cinaedi in camel, H. rappini in sheep and humans, and Wollinella succinogenes in humans. In conclusion, the occurrence of non-H. pylori infections among human and animal samples suggested zoonotic potentials., (Copyright© by the Polish Academy of Sciences.)

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.

Innate, inflammatory responses towards persistent Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) infection are likely to contribute to the development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a liver cancer that is rare in the West but prevalent in Greater Mekong Subregion countries in Southeast Asia. Infection results in the infiltration of innate immune cells into the bile ducts and subsequent activation of inflammatory immune responses that fail to clear OV but instead may damage local tissues within the bile ducts. Not all patients infected with OV develop CCA, and so tumourigenesis may be dependent on multiple factors including the magnitude of the inflammatory response that is activated in infected individuals. The purpose of this review is to summarize how innate immune responses may promote tumourigenesis following OV infection and if such responses can be used to predict CCA onset in OV-infected individuals. It also hypothesizes on the role that Helicobacterspp., which are associated with liver fluke infections, may play in activation of the innate the immune system to promote tissue damage and persistent inflammation leading to CCA., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of invasive and non-invasive methods used to diagnose Helicobacter spp. in the stomachs of dogs. The study was carried out on 30 dogs of both sexes and different breeds, between one and 15 years old. A histopathologic examination, a microbiological culture, a rapid urease test, a direct bacteriological preparation and a nested PCR assay were carried out. Gastric Helicobacter spp. was identified in gastric biopsy specimens from 16 (53.3%) dogs using direct bacteriological preparation, in four (13.3%) dogs based on a culture, in 23 (76.6%) dogs using the rapid urease test and in 21 (70,0%) dogs based on a histopathological assessment of the biopsy specimens. The nested PCR of the gastric biopsy specimens revealed gastric Helicobacter spp. in all the dogs (100%). A saliva PCR assay revealed gastric Helicobacter spp. in 23 (76.6%) dogs, while stool PCR revealed the bacterium in seven (23.3%) dogs. We found that invasive methods were more accurate than non-invasive methods in detecting a Helicobacter spp. infection in dogs. In addition, the nested PCR method used to evaluate the gastric mucosal biopsy specimens was the most accurate test for detecting Helicobacter spp. It was further found that the PCR-based saliva assay was the best non-invasive method for detecting Helicobacter spp. However, taking into consideration that most of the diagnostic methods used to detect this bacterium have drawbacks, at least two diagnostic methods should be used to detect Helicobacter spp. as is done in human medicine.

The genus Helicobacter contains more than 35 species. Helicobacter pylori is the most important in terms of human health. Discovery of these helicobacters gives opportunity to understand the relationship between these bacteria which colonise the animal and human gut and their effect on the host. Infection with Helicobacter spp. and the associated diseases in their hosts allow us to study the pathogenic mechanisms. The potential zoonotic pathway for the transmission of Helicobacter spp. and epidemiology of this genus, deserve more attention to these emerging pathogens., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Chronic lymphoplasmacytic gastritis in two red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus) at a zoological facility progressed to severe hypertrophic gastropathy similar to Ménétrier's disease that affects humans. Clinical signs included emesis, diarrhea, hunched posture consistent with abdominal pain, anemia, and hypoproteinemia. Large gastric masses were present and in one case created a gastric outflow obstruction. Both cases were positive for simian immunodeficiency virus and Helicobacter spp. were variably isolated, although the association with the hypertrophic gastropathy is unclear. Medical treatment had varying success and included sucralfate, H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, diet manipulations, and antibiotic therapies targeting Helicobacter spp. Surgical resection of a large portion of the stomach resulted in some palliative improvement in one case. Overall, this disease presented many challenges regarding identification, confirmation of diagnosis, and clinical management. Both aggressive medical and surgical treatments were unrewarding for long-term management of hypertrophic gastropathy in this pair of red-capped mangabeys and resulted in a poor prognosis in these cases.