An exploratory study on the presence of Helicobacter heilmannii and Helicobacter billis in the feces of companion dogs

• Published in: Veterinary medicine and science 2022-03, Vol.8 (2), p.537-545
• Main Authors: Fatemi Khader, Mahdi, Pourmahdi Borujeni, Mahdi, Moori Bakhtiari, Naghmeh, Avizeh, Reza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibiotics; Cardiovascular disease; companion dogs; Dog Diseases - microbiology; DOGS; epidemiology; Feces; Feces - microbiology; Helicobacter; Helicobacter heilmannii; Helicobacter Infections - diagnosis; Helicobacter Infections - microbiology; Helicobacter Infections - veterinary; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter spp; Humans; Infections; Mixed culture; Original; Pathogens; PCR; Pets; Zoonoses; zoonotic
• ISSN: 2053-1095; 2053-1095
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.765

Background Companion animals like dogs play an important role in the lives of many people and are often considered to be members of families, but definitely, any contact with them poses an inherent risk of transmitting zoonotic pathogens. One of these pathogens is the genus Helicobacter which is linked to many disorders in human and animal. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of some zoonotic species of genus Helicobacter in companion dogs. Results Through culturing in a special medium, nine samples (9%) were detected as infected (two pure and seven mixed culture). Based on multiplex‐PCR, 13 samples (13%) were infected by Helicobacter spp. although none of them were infected by H. pylori. Species‐specific PCR indicated that 38.5% or 5/13 of the samples were infected with H. heilmannii, while 15.45% or 2/13 of the samples were infected by H. billis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age factor had a significant effect on Helicobacter spp. infection (odds ratio [OR] = 2.42, p = 0.01). Conclusion This study revealed the negligible faecal transmission of H. pylori. Moreover, due to the detection of H. Heilmannii and H. billis in feces and their association with human gastric diseases, dog owners should be educated about the risks and transmission modes of zoonotic bacterial infections of dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in canine feces by culture and molecular methods. Another objective was to confirm the excretion of H. pylori, H. Heilmannii and H. billis from feces in companion dogs with and without gastrointestinal disorders. This study revealed the negligible faecal transmission of H. pylori. Moreover, due to the detection of H. Heilmannii and H. billis in feces and their association with human gastric diseases, dog owners should be educated about the risks and transmission modes of zoonotic bacterial infections of dogs. The findings of the present study may be useful to clarify the epidemiology of Helicobacter spp. in dogs and humans.