Determination of Helicobacter heilmannii in cats by real time polymerase chain reaction and histopathology

Helicobacter species such as Helicobacter heilmannii, Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter felis, Helicobacter bizzozeronii, Helicobacter salomonis have been identified in cats and dogs, and research suggesting that these species may be zoonotic agents have increased in recent years. The aim of this study is to reveal the presence of H. heilmannii in stomach and liver tissues taken during necropsies of domestic, stray and shelter cats by real-time PCR and histopathology and to compare histopathological findings and real-time PCR results. The material of the study consisted of stomach and liver tissues taken from 41 cats who died from different causes and were necropsied. DNA of H. heilmannii was determined in the stomach tissues of 36 cats and the liver tissues of 24 cats in the study conducted with real-time PCR using specific primers of H. heilmannii. Epithelial degeneration in the stomach, fibrosis and oedema in the lamina propria and lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration were detected histopathologically in the cats diagnosed with gastritis. Eight cats were positive in Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and nineteen cats were positive in the staining with Warthin Starry of the sections, in terms of Helicobacter-like microorganisms. Microscopically, dissociation of the remark cords and hydropic degeneration in hepatocytes and mononuclear cell infiltrations in some sections were determined in the livers. In conclusion, with this study, it was understood that real-time PCR analyses are very useful in determining H. heilmannii in cats. However, histopathological examinations are necessary to associate the presence of bacteria with the development of the disease.