Detection of Helicobacter pylori in bile of cats

Abstract

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.

Tonsillar colonization is unlikely to play important role in Helicobacter pylori infection in children

“…HPspecific DNA was identified in bile of cats [11]. These findings suggest that cats may be a potential zoonotic reservoir.…”

“…The crowded household in childhood [8] and low educational standard [9] were considered as risk factors for HP infection. HP was found in field soil [10] and domestic animals [10,11].…”

Zoonotic Bacteria Associated with Cats

“…[42][43][44] The frequency of Helicobacter heilmannii infection in cats can be as high as 80 to 100%, and its transmission from a household cat to a child has been documented. 45 Helicobacter spp.…”

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in Drinking Water by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

“…other than H. pylori in the water samples. Poor sanitation of water and allowing domestic animals, which could be a carrier of non-pylori Helicobacter species to roam near water supplies, lead to water contamination (48)(49)(50)(51)(52). Another probability is the presence of H. pylori that has lost its pathogenicity genes (53).…”