Presence of Helicobacter and Campylobacter species in faecal samples from zoo mammals

Abstract

Helicobacter and Campylobacter species (spp.) colonize the gastrointestinal tract of various domesticated animals. Apart from their pathogenic significance in animals, several species are of zoonotic importance as well. For most non-domesticated animal spp., however, little is known on the presence and importance of these agents. Therefore, we investigated the presence of Helicobacter and Campylobacter spp. in marine and terrestrial zoo mammals. Faecal samples of various marine and terrestrial zoo mammals were collected from 6 different zoos in Belgium. These samples were tested for the presence of Helicobacter and Campylobacter spp. by isolation and direct demonstration of DNA using genus-specific PCRs, followed by sequencing of the obtained amplicons. Helicobacter spp. were detected in 12 and Campylobacter spp. in 5 of the 22 faecal samples from marine mammals. In 4 of 5 dolphins, H. cetorum was demonstrated, a well-known pathogen associated with gastritis and gastric ulceration in marine mammals. C. insulaenigrae was isolated from 4 of 6 sea lions and from 1 of 11 seals. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the presence of C. insulaenigrae on the European mainland. Helicobacter spp. were detected in 5 and Campylobacter spp. (mainly C. jejuni subsp. jejuni and C. coli) in 9 of the 26 faecal samples from terrestrial mammals. Potential novel enterohepatic Helicobacter spp. were detected in both marine and terrestrial zoo mammals. For the first time, the presence of several known and unknown Campylobacter and Helicobacter spp. was demonstrated in the gastrointestinal tract of various marine and terrestrial zoo mammals. Further investigation is needed on the pathogenic and zoonotic importance of these species.

First report of PCR-based detection of Helicobacter species DNA in Camelus dromedarius in Egypt

“…Non-H. pylori species can infect both humans and animals, and their probable transmission between humans and animals might serve as a reservoir for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.13/September-2020/21.pdf human contacts [11]. In vitro cultivation of the gastric non-H. pylori species organisms is extremely difficult and cannot be exclusively used for diagnostic purposes, which necessitates different techniques for the diagnosis of Helicobacter infections [7][8][9][10][11][12]. In the present study, using PCR, we identified the presence of Helicobacter spp.…”

Characterization ofCampylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter upsaliensis,and a novelCampylobacter sp. in a captive non‐human primate zoological collection

“…Bacteriological culturing is the preliminary step in most of the recent studies conducted on tabulating the prevalence and characterization of Campylobacter spp. in captive animals or wildlife . Despite being able to obtain campylobacter isolates from a higher number of animals after repeated sampling, the overall rate of recovery of Campylobacter spp.…”

“…have been routinely isolated from both primate zoological collections, non‐human primates used for research, and those living in the wild . In particular, C jejuni has been commonly isolated bacteria from zoological collections . Campylobacter jejuni has been studied extensively in cotton‐top tamarins, a species belonging to the same genus as Geoffroy's tamarins, and association between C jejuni, diarrhea, and mortality in cotton‐top tamarins has been noted in isolated cases .…”

Review: Other Helicobacter species

“…28 This suggests that pet-associated gastric Helicobacters cause little or no harm in their natural host, which is in contrast to other members of the NHPH group. 31 Another study also reported Helicobacter species in the stomach of aquatic marine mammals, for example, East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), and to a lesser extent in the foregut, hindgut, and feces. 31 Another study also reported Helicobacter species in the stomach of aquatic marine mammals, for example, East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), and to a lesser extent in the foregut, hindgut, and feces.…”

“…29 However, Takemura et al 30 Furthermore, novel enterohepatic Helicobacter species were identified in both marine and terrestrial zoo mammals. 31 Another study also reported Helicobacter species in the stomach of aquatic marine mammals, for example, East Asian finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), and to a lesser extent in the foregut, hindgut, and feces. 32 Proliferative and invasive colorectal tumors were investigated in 20 pet dogs.…”