Helicobacter species detection and histopathological changes in stray cats from Niterói, Brazil.

Tightly coiled bacteria are common inhabitants of the gastric mucosae of cats and there is considerable debate whether feline helicobacters are commensal or pathogenic organisms. To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter species and gastric histopathological findings, gastric mucosa samples of 56 stray cats were collected from cardia, fundus, body, antrum and pylorus at necropsy. The samples were examined by urease test, cytology, histopathology and culture. Helicobacter species were detected in 53 cats (94.6%) by at least one detection method. Urease test results were positive in gastric samples from 50 (89.3%) cats. Cytological and histological evaluations revealed Helicobacter species in 52 (92.8%) and 50 (89.2%) cats, respectively. Helicobacter species organisms were not cultured from any cat. Regardless of the presence of gastric bacteria, most of the cats had mild to moderate gastritis. These data reveal a high prevalence of Helicobacter species in stray cats from Niterói, Brazil.