Changes

==Overview==

==Overview==

''Helicobacter spp.'' are related to [[:Category:Campylobacter species|''Campylobacter'']] species and ''Arcobacter'' species and are pathogens affecting the [[:Category:Stomach|stomach]]. Unlike many bacterial pathogens ''Helicobacter spp.'' are able to survive in the extremely low pH environment that exists within the stomach. The genus was first discovered in the stomach of humans in 1987.  

''Helicobacter spp.'' are related to [[:Category:Campylobacter species|''Campylobacter'']] species and ''Arcobacter'' species and are pathogens affecting the [[:Category:Stomach|stomach]]. Unlike many bacterial pathogens, ''Helicobacter spp.'' are able to survive in the extremely low pH environment that exists within the stomach. The genus was first discovered in the stomach of humans in 1987.  

There are several species identified in humans and many veterinary species where the incidence of some species of ''Helicobacter'' is high. Species such as ''H. pylori'', ''H. felis'', ''H. bizzozeronii'', ''H. salomonis'' and ''H. bilis'' have been identified in the gastric mucosa and intestines of dogs and cats.  

There are several species identified in humans and many veterinary species where the incidence of some species of ''Helicobacter'' is high. Species such as ''H. pylori'', ''H. felis'', ''H. bizzozeronii'', ''H. salomonis'' and ''H. bilis'' have been identified in the gastric mucosa and intestines of dogs and cats.  

The genus is however considered of '''low pathogenic significance''' in veterinary species but there is possibility of '''zoonosis''' of the ''H. pylori'' species that is the causitve agent of gastric disease in humans. The organism infects humans causing gastritis as well as gastric and duodenal ulcers. It has also been associated with gastric adenocarcinoma however there is no evidence for this in animals. ''H.pylori'' has not been identified in cats and is rarely seen in cats.  

The genus is however considered of '''low pathogenic significance''' in veterinary species but there is possibility of '''zoonosis''' of the ''H. pylori'' species that is the causative agent of gastric disease in humans. The organism infects humans causing gastritis as well as gastric and duodenal ulcers. It has also been associated with gastric adenocarcinoma however there is no evidence for this in animals. ''H. pylori'' has not been identified in cats and is rarely seen in cats.  

The major veterinary concern posed by ''Helicobacter spp.'' is the ''H. mustelae'' that has been associated with '''chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers in ferrets'''.

The major veterinary concern posed by ''Helicobacter spp.'' is the ''H. mustelae'' that has been associated with '''chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers in ferrets'''.

They require enriched media, are microaerophilic and non-saccharolytic; some grow on Skirrow agar.

They require enriched media, are microaerophilic and non-saccharolytic; some grow on Skirrow agar.

==Clinical infections==

==Clinical Infections==

The significance of ''Helicobacter spp.'' in gastointestinal disease of domestic carnivores is unknown.  

The significance of ''Helicobacter spp.'' in gastointestinal disease of domestic carnivores is unknown.  

Up to '''80% of clinically healthy dogs''' have ''Helicobacter spp.'' present, several species have been identified in the dog such as;''H. felis'', ''H. bizzozeronii'', ''H. salomonis'' and ''H. bilis''. Experimental infection of dogs has failed to show a consistent relationship between infection with ''Helicobacter'' and the development of pathology.  

Up to '''80% of clinically healthy dogs''' have ''Helicobacter spp.'' present, several species have been identified in the dog such as; ''H. felis'', ''H. bizzozeronii'', ''H. salomonis'' and ''H. bilis''. Experimental infection of dogs has failed to show a consistent relationship between infection with ''Helicobacter'' and the development of pathology.  

The only species known to be of veterinary importance is ''H. mustelae'' which has been associated with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers in ferrets. Ferrets suffer from '''vomiting, melena, weight loss and lowered haematocrit'''. It has also been associated with the development of pyloric adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoma of the stomach.

The only species known to be of veterinary importance is ''H. mustelae'' which has been associated with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers in ferrets. Ferrets suffer from '''vomiting, melena, weight loss and lowered haematocrit'''. It has also been associated with the development of pyloric [[adenocarcinoma]] and mucosa-associated [[lymphoma]] of the stomach.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

'''Gastric biopsies''' can also be cultured in special media to isolate and grow ''Helicobacter'' spp.

'''Gastric biopsies''' can also be cultured in special media to isolate and grow ''Helicobacter'' spp.

'''PCR''' has recently been developed to demonstrate the organism in samples.

'''[[PCR]]''' has recently been developed to demonstrate the organism in samples.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

The decision to treat for ''Helicobacter'' infections should be made on the basis of the degree of inflammation seen in the gastric mucosa of dogs in response to the organism. Treatment should lead to a resolution in inflammation and eliminiation of the organism.

The decision to treat for ''Helicobacter'' infections should be made on the basis of the degree of inflammation seen in the gastric mucosa of dogs in response to the organism. Treatment should lead to a resolution in inflammation and elimination of the organism.

'''Triple therapy''' using: '''amoxycillin and metronidazole''', or tetracycline and metronidazole, combined with '''bismuth subsalicylate''' given for 2-3 weeks is usually successful in eradicating the infection. The addition of '''ranitidine or omeprazole''' can also be considered if ulcers are present.

'''Triple therapy''' using: '''amoxycillin and metronidazole''', or tetracycline and metronidazole, combined with '''bismuth subsalicylate''' given for 2-3 weeks is usually successful in eradicating the infection. The addition of '''ranitidine or omeprazole''' can also be considered if [[Stomach Ulcer|ulcers]] are present.

This is also effective in ferrets infected with ''H. mustelae''.

This is also effective in ferrets infected with ''H. mustelae''.

Schaer, M. (2010) '''Clinical medicine of the dog and cat''' ''Manson Publishing''

Schaer, M. (2010) '''Clinical medicine of the dog and cat''' ''Manson Publishing''

[[Category:Bacteria miscellaneous]][[Category:Rods]][[Category:Gram_negative_bacteria]]

[[Category:Bacteria miscellaneous]][[Category:Rods]][[Category:Gram_negative_bacteria]]

[[Category:Enteritis,_Bacterial]]

[[Category:Enteritis,_Bacterial]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Bacteria]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]