Comparison of three diagnostic assays for the identification of Helicobacter spp. in laboratory dogs / 한국실험동물학회지

A number of Helicobacter species may confound experimental data because of their association with disease progressing in various kinds of laboratory animals. Screening of Helicobacter species is particularly desirable, because they are prevalent in commercial and research animal facilities. The aim of the present study was to compare three diagnostic methods [e.g. Helicobacter stool antigen kit (HpSA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid urease test (RUT)] for the identification of Helicobacter spp. in stools or gastric biopsy specimens collected from eight dogs suffering from gastritis. The gastroscopic biopsy specimens were tested using RUT and PCR, while stool specimens were evaluated using both HpSA and PCR. DNAs from the gastric biopsies and stool specimens were analyzed by both a consensus PCR that amplified the RNA polymerase beta-subunit-coding gene (rpoB) of Helicobacter spp. and a species-specific PCR to amplify the urease B gene of Helicobacter heilmannii, Helicobacter pylori, and Helicobacter felis. Helicobacter spp. were detected in 62.5% of the dogs, while H. heilmannii and H. felis were identified in 37.5 and 25% of the dogs, respectively. The HpSA did not efficiently detect Helicobacter spp. in the stool samples compared to the RUT and PCR assays, both of which successfully detected Helicobacter spp. in the two sample types. Finally, we recommend that consensus PCR with stool specimens could be used before the species-specific PCR for identifying Helicobacter species in laboratory dogs.

A Case of Gastric Low-grade MALT Lymphoma Induced by a Helicobacter heilmannii-like Organism / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Helicobacter heilmannii is a Gram negative, long spiral-shaped organism associated with zoonotic infections acquired from primates including cats and dogs. Infection with H. heilmannii leads to gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. We experienced a 54-year-old man with dyspepsia who was diagnosed with primary gastric MALT lymphoma (stage IE1) associated with a H. heilmannii-like organism. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed only microvascular dilatation and mucosal granularity without elevated or ulcerative lesions at the stomach angle. He was probably infected by a pet dog. The man was treated with eradication therapy for 2 weeks including lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. Four weeks after eradication of the H. heilmannii-like organism, follow-up endoscopy and pathological biopsy findings showed complete remission of the gastric MALT lymphoma.

Helicobacter heilmannii-associated Gastritis: Clinicopathologic Findings and Comparison with Helicobacter pylori-associated Gastritis

The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of Helicobacter heilmannii-associated gastritis and to compare H. heilmannii-associated gastritis with H. pylori-associated gastritis. We reviewed 5,985 consecutive gastric biopsy specimens. All cases of chronic gastritis with Helicobacter infection were evaluated with the Updated Sydney System, and the grades of all gastritis variables were compared between H. heilmannii-associated gastritis and H. pylori-associated gastritis groups. There were 10 cases of H. heilmannii-associated gastritis (0.17%) and 3,285 cases of H. pylori-associated gastritis (54.9%). The organisms were superficially located within the mucous layer without adhesion to epithelial cells. Interestingly, in one case many intracytoplasmic H. heilmannii organisms were observed in parietal cells with cell damage. A case of low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma concomitant with H. heilmannii infection was detected. Compared to H. pylori-associated gastritis, H. heilmannii-associated gastritis showed less severe neutrophilic activity (p<0.0001), mononuclear cell infiltration (p=0.0029), and endoscopic findings of chronic gastritis devoid of erosion or ulcer (p=0.0309). In conclusion, we present the detailed clinicopathologic findings of H. heilmanniiassociated gastritis compared to H. pylori-associated gastritis. H. heilmannii-associated gastritis is uncommon and milder than H. pylori-associated gastritis, however it may be noteworthy with respect to the development of MALT lymphoma.

The role of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in gastric mucosa inflammation associated with Helicobacter heilmannii type 1 infection

Although Helicobacter heilmannii infection is less common than H. pylori infection in humans, it is considered to be of medical importance because of its association with gastritis, gastric ulcer, carcinoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the stomach. However, there have been no studies evaluating the role of the Th cell response in H. heilmannii gastric infection. We evaluated the participation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, IFN-gamma and IL-4, in H. heilmannii gastric infection in genetically IFN-gamma- or IL-4-deficient mice. The serum IFN-gamma and IL-4 concentrations were determined by ELISA. The gastric polymorphonuclear infiltrate was higher (P = 0.007) in H. heilmannii-positive than in H. heilmannii-negative wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, whereas no significant inflammation was demonstrable in the stomach of H. heilmannii-positive IFN-gamma-/- C57BL/6 mice. The degree of gastric inflammatory cells, especially in oxyntic mucosa, was also higher (P = 0.007) in infected IL-4-/- than in WT BALB/c mice. Serum IFN-gamma levels were significantly higher in IL-4-/- than in WT BALB/c mice, independently of H. heilmannii-positive or -negative status. Although no difference in serum IFN-gamma levels was seen between H. heilmannii-positive (11.3 ± 3.07 pg/mL, mean ± SD) and -negative (11.07 ± 3.5 pg/mL) WT BALB/c mice, in the group of IL-4-/- animals, the serum concentration of IFN-g was significantly higher in the infected ones (38.16 ± 10.5 pg/mL, P = 0.04). In contrast, serum IL-4 levels were significantly decreased in H. heilmannii-positive (N = 10) WT BALB/c animals compared to the negative (N = 10) animals. In conclusion, H. heilmannii infection induces a predominantly Th1 immune response, with IFN-gamma playing a central role in gastric inflammation.

Helicobácteres gástricos de perros y gatos: mínimo riesgo en salud pública / Gastric helicobacters in dogs and cat: minimal risk in public health

El aislamiento reciente de especies de Helicobacter diferentes al H. pylori causando enfermedad gástrica, intestinal y hepática en animales y humanos, ha despertado un interés particular sobre el rolpatogénico y zoonótico que pueden representar las bacterias espiraladas presentes en los animales, especialmente las que se encuentran en la mucosa gástrica de perros y gatos por su estrecho contacto con los seres humanos. Algunos estudios han comprobado una mayor prevalencia de estos organismos gástricos en personas que habitan en áreas rurales y que mantienen mayor contacto con animales, además se han encontrado casos aislados de una probable transmisión de organismos tipo Helicobacter de mascotas a sus propietarios. Con respecto al H. pylori, se pensó que los gatos pudieran transmitir la bacteria una vez se aisló en ellos, pero estudios posteriores sugieren que posiblemente sea elhombre quien transmita la bacteria a los gatos, además no se han encontrado diferencias en la prevalencia de H. pylori en propietarios de gatos comparado con personas que no tienen contacto con mascotas. La baja prevalencia de bacterias espiraladas tipo Helicobacter diferentes al H. pylori colonizando la mucosa gástrica en seres humanos es muy baja y aún no se conoce con exactitud si el contacto con perros, gatos y otros animales representa un verdadero riesgo de transmisión al hombre.

Imágenes citológicas de Helicobacter heilmannii (Gastrospirillum hominis), bacteria gástrica no reportada en Cuba / Cytological imaging of Helicobacter heilmannii (Gastropirillum hominis), a gastric bacteria never before reported in Cuba

Se observaron 625 citologías gástricas por cepillado tomadas mediante endoscopia a pacientes adultos con gastritis crónica y/o úlcera gástrica, con el objetivo de diagnosticar Helicobacter pylori. En un paciente con úlcera gástrica la prueba de la ureasa fue positiva y la citología resultó negativa de H. pylori. Se observaron otras bacterias espiraladas que solo se habían visto en la literatura, fueron medidas y fotografiadas. Se informó Gastrospirillum hominis. El paciente recibió tratamiento con Q-ulcer, metronidazol, tetraciclina y metoclopramida. A los 2 meses de finalizado se le repitió la endoscopia y había desaparecido la úlcera, se informó entonces gastritis crónica ligeramente agudizada. No existía reflujo biliar. La ureasa fue negativa y las bacterias descritas en la muestra anterior habían desaparecido

Gastrite crônica associada a infecçäo "Gastrospirillum hominis" / Chronic gastritis associated with infection by \"Gastrospirillum hominis\"

Além da reconhecida gastrite infecciosa causada pelo Helicobacter pylori, outras bactérias podem colonizar a mucosa gástrica e induzir resposta inflamatória. Sao apresentados os dados clínicos, endoscópicos e histopatológicos de um paciente portador de gastrite crônica associada à infecçao por Gastrospirillum hominis.