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.

Association of gastric lymphofollicular hyperplasia with Helicobacter-like organisms in dogs

Background

The relationships among gastric lymphoid follicular hyperplasia (GLFH), Helicobacter‐like organisms (HLOs), and clinical signs have not been established in dogs.

Objectives

To evaluate the epidemiologic, clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings associated with GLFH in dogs, and determine the association of GLFH with HLOs and the French Bulldog (FB) breed.

Animals

Two hundred eighty‐eight dogs that underwent gastroscopy between 2013 and 2016.

Methods

Retrospective, cross‐sectional study. Gastric biopsy samples were reviewed and scored for inflammation and HLOs. Dogs were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (63 FBs), group 2 (45 non‐FB brachycephalic dogs), and group 3 (180 nonbrachycephalic dogs). Variables were evaluated for their association with GLFH.

Results

Univariate analysis determined that intact males, young age, vomiting, gastroscopic findings (discoloration, hemorrhage, and ulcers), and histopathologic findings (gastric lamina propria lymphocytic infiltration and HLO score) were associated with GLFH (P ≤ .03). In the multivariate analysis, GLFH was associated with the HLO score (odds ratio [OR] > 5 for HLO scores 1‐2 and >15 for HLO score of 3; P < .001), with vomiting (OR > 4; P = .01) but not with FB breed (P = .76) and age (P = .1). The HLO score was associated with younger age (P < .001).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The HLO score was associated with a high GLFH score. Vomiting was associated with GLFH. Helicobacter‐like organisms are highly prevalent in young dogs and GLFH is indirectly associated with this factor. Clinical relevance of the identification of GLFH and HLO remains to be determined.

CT features of confirmed and presumed gastric wall edema in dogs

Postcontrast computed tomographic (CT) characteristics of gastrointestinal (GI) wall edema in humans have been described as GI wall thickening with a thickened submucosal layer and thin enhanced inner and outer layers. Published studies describing CT features of gastric wall edema in dogs are currently lacking. The aim of this retrospective, case series was to describe CT features of gastric wall edema in a group of dogs. Medical records were searched for dogs with postcontrast abdominal CT scans and a diagnosis of gastric wall edema based on histopathology (group I) or CT characteristics consistent with those reported in humans (group II). Clinical diagnosis, mean serum albumin concentration, and histopathological diagnosis were recorded. The following CT characteristics were recorded: numbers of wall layers, attenuation and contrast enhancement, presence of blood vessels, locations, distribution, and thickness. Twelve dogs (3 in group I and 9 in group II) were included. The most common clinical finding was hypoalbuminemia. In group I, a well-defined three-layer appearance with a non-enhancing fluid-attenuating middle layer was observed in three dogs and thin blood vessels in the middle layer in two dogs. In group II, nine dogs had a three-layer appearance with a non-enhancing fluid-attenuating middle layer. Locations of gastric wall thickening were diffuse in two, focal concentric in six, and focal asymmetric in four dogs. Findings supported including gastric wall edema as a differential diagnosis for dogs with hypoalbuminemia and CT characteristics of a three-layer appearance in the gastric wall, with a non-enhancing fluid-attenuating middle layer and thin blood vessels.

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.

Comparison of clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features between dogs with chronic gastritis with and without lymphofollicular hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic features between dogs with chronic gastritis (CG) with and without lymphofollicular hyperplasia (LFH).

ANIMALS

64 and 56 dogs with CG with (cases) and without (controls) LFH, respectively.

PROCEDURES

The medical record database of a referral clinic was searched to identify dogs that underwent endoscopic examination of the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract and were subsequently determined to have CG with or without LFH between October 2006 and February 2011. Signalment and clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings were compared between cases and controls. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with CG with LFH.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, cases were significantly younger and more likely to be of a brachycephalic phenotype. The proportions of dogs with a poor body condition or diarrhea were significantly lower and the proportions of dogs with inspiratory dyspnea, exercise intolerance, or hyperemia and discoloration of the gastric mucosa were significantly higher for the case group, compared with the control group. Inspiratory dyspnea, gastric mucosal hyperemia, and gastritis severity were positively associated, whereas poor body condition was negatively associated, with CG with LFH on multivariable logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The strong positive association between inspiratory dyspnea and CG with LFH suggested that the condition may be a consequence of an increase in negative intrathoracic pressure rather than a distinct clinical entity. Prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanism by which inspiratory dyspnea contributes to the development of CG with LFH.

Other Helicobacters and the gastric microbiome

The current article is a review of the most important, accessible, and relevant literature published between April 2017 and March 2018 on other Helicobacters and the gastric microbiome. The first part of the review focuses on literature describing non-Helicobacter pylori-Helicobacter (NHPH) infections in humans and animals whilst the subsequent section focuses specifically on the human gastric microbiome. Novel diagnostic methods as well as new NHPHs species have been identified in recent studies. Furthermore, our knowledge about the pathogenesis of NHPH infections has been further enhanced by important fundamental studies in cell lines and animal models. Over the last year, additional insights over the prevalence and potential prevention strategies of NHPHs have also been reported. With regard to understanding the gastric microbiome, new information detailing the structure of the gastric microbiota at different stages of H. pylori infection, within different patient geographical locations, was documented. There was also a study detailing the impact of proton-pump inhibitor usage and the effect on the gastric microbiome. Newer analysis approaches including defining the active microbiome through analysis of RNA rather than DNA-based sequencing were also published allowing the first assessments of the functional capabilities of the gastric microbiome.