Gastric helicobacters in cats.

The types of helicobacter which are found in the stomachs of carnivorous pets, especially cats, have been traditionally referred to as 'gastric helicobacter-like organisms' (GHLOs). These are microaerophilic, Gram-negative, spiral bacteria with multiple terminal flagellae and are endowed with high-level urease activity which allows them to survive in an acidic environment. Certain species have one or more periplasmic fibrils. The two GHLOs most commonly found in cats are Helicobacter felis and a species related to H heilmannii which was recently cultured from dogs. All phenotypic and genotypic (16S RNA gene sequences) evidence suggests that both of these bacteria belong in the genus Helicobacter. Whether or not helicobacters can be transmitted to humans from carnivorous pets is controversial but the recent discovery of H pylori -infected cats may be evidence of an animal reservoir for this pathogen. Although the role of H pylori in inducing antral gastritis and perpetuating pyloric ulcers in humans is well established, whether or not Helicobacter spp are causally involved in any feline gastric inflammatory conditions is unknown.

Pathogenic role of gastric Helicobacter sp in domestic carnivores.

As a result of phylogenic studies using new molecular biology techniques and fundamental experimental studies, we now know more about helicobacteria in domestic carnivores, their morphologic characteristics, their taxonomia and more important we know more about their ecological niche. Few clinical studies have been carried out, but the ones that have been undertaken are interesting in that they confirm the extensive prevalence of Helicobacter infections in domestic carnivores and underline their role in the genesis of the inflammatory gastropathies observed in these species. Finally, recent observations have demonstrated the ubiquitous character of these helicobacteria by showing their presence in the stomach of man, dog and cat. This ubiquitous character has led some scientists to consider the potential zoonotic risk of the human infection by Helicobacter heilmannii, felis or pylori.

[Helicobacter infections of man and of domestic carnivores: comparative data]. / Hélicobactérioses de l'homme et des carnivores domestiques: quelques données comparatives.

The role of Helicobacter pylori in generating of the chronic gastritis and in the maintaining of the gastroduodenal ulcerous disease, has been a major medical discovery of these past years in human gastroenterology. More recently in Man, studies have showed that the gastric tumours (adenocarcinoma, lymphoma) are epidemiologically associated with the H. pylori infection. Although the H. pylori infection is the one of the most frequent in the word, the epidemiologic and ecologic aspects of this infections are still not very well known. Thanks to phylogenic studies using the new molecular biology techniques and to fundamental experimental studies, we know more about helicobacteria in domestic carnivores as well as their morphologic characteristic, their taxonomia and more importantly details concerning their ecological niche. Few clinical studies have been made to this day, but the ones that have been undertaken are interesting in confirming the extensive prevalence of Helicobacter infections in domestic carnivores and in underlining their role in the genesis of the inflammatory gastropathies observed in these species. Recent observations have demonstrated the ubiquitous character of these helicobacteria by showing their presence in the stomach of man, dogs and cats. This ubiquitous character has led some scientists to consider the potential zoonotic risk of the human infection by Helicobacter heilmannii, felis or pylori. Finally, the Helicobacter infection of animals seems to be an interesting model not only in the study of the affections caused by these bacteria, but also in the elaboration of a future vaccine against the H. pylori infection in man.

Partial characterization of an external polysaccharide of Helicobacter pylori by using an immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibody.

A monoclonal immunoglobulin M antibody, HP15/36, was produced by a hybridoma cell line prepared by fusion of mouse myeloma cell line Sp2/O with spleen cells of mice immunized with Helicobacter pylori D273 (French strain). Immunoelectron microscopy of whole bacteria and ultrathin sections showed that the determinant was located outside the bacterial cell, possibly in the outermost areas. This external reactivity was observed by immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase assays and was confirmed by immunogold study at the ultrastructural level. The reactive epitope was formol and picric acid resistant and allowed the detection of the bacterium on fixed tissue biopsy specimens. The reactive component was extracted with phenol-water. Immunoblotting with such an antigen exhibited a clearly positive reactivity at a molecular mass between 50 and 120 kDa. This reactivity was suppressed by periodate oxidation, suggesting a carbohydrate epitope. The diagnostic value and significance of this polysaccharide in microbe-host interactions remain to be determined.

Diversity of Mobiluncus strains as demonstrated by their electrophoretic protein patterns.

The analysis of electrophoretic protein profiles of 21 Mobiluncus curtisii, 11 Mobiluncus mulieris and 3 reference strains (Mobiluncus curtisii subsp. curtisii ATCC 35241, Mobiluncus curtisii subsp. holmesii ATCC 35242 and Mobiluncus mulieris BV 64-5) demonstrated species-related patterns. A highly variable region appeared at 70-85 kDa for Mobiluncus curtisii and at 75-95 kDa for Mobiluncus mulieris, which was likely to correspond to cell surface located proteins. When performed under standardized conditions, PAGE-protein analysis allowed to define intraspecies clusters, from which some strains appeared identical. Thus, the method seemed to provide a useful additive to identify a strain at the species level and might be of epidemiological interest.

Characterization of an immunoreactive species-specific 19-kilodalton outer membrane protein from Helicobacter pylori by using a monoclonal antibody.

Immunoblotting experiments on hyperimmune rabbit serum and sera from patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis showed a consistent antibody response to a 19-kDa outer membrane protein antigen. A monoclonal antibody, designated HP 40, which reacted by Western immunoblotting with this protein was produced. It was shared by all H. pylori strains tested (D 273, NCTC 11637, and 24 wild strains) but not by the thermophilic Campylobacter species, Campylobacter fetus, Helicobacter mustellae, or Helicobacter fennelliae. Immunogold staining suggested that the 19-kDa antigen was exposed on the outer surface of the bacteria. Its functional role and effectiveness as a serological diagnostic tool are under study.

Distribution of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae biotypes isolated from the human genitourinary tract.

A total of 3,598 genital specimens from men and women was cultured for Haemophilus spp. using a simple selective culture method. Two hundred and thirty three samples (6.5%) were positive for Haemophilus spp., 216 Haemophilus parainfluenzae and 28 Haemophilus influenzae strains being isolated. Biotyping demonstrated that Haemophilus parainfluenzae biotype II was dominant at all sites, especially the male urethra, comprising 59% of all Haemophilus strains isolated. On the other hand, Haemophilus influenzae biotype IV was isolated from only six patients and thus was not a major genital biotype. The respective proportions of the two Haemophilus spp. recovered from various mucosal sites led to the supposition that the genitourinary colonization originated either from the upper respiratory tract or the gastrointestinal tract.

[Antigenic detection and identification of Haemophilus influenzae and quantitative immunoelectrophoresis]. / Détection et identification antigéniques des Haemophilus influenzae en immunoélectrophorèse quantitative.

A one-step polyvalent rocket-line immunoelectrophoresis (PRLIE) for antigenic detection and identification of Haemophilus influenzae is described. A standard pattern of six lines corresponding to each individual antigen-antibody system has been established. The polyvalent antigen was an adequate mixture of each serotype antigen and the polyvalent antiserum was a pool of the six monospecific antiserum raised in rabbits (Institut Pasteur de Lyon). Each line has been identified with six reference individual antigens in PRLIE. The resulting sum pattern of rockets standing on the corresponding lines permits a direct characterization of the antigen content in a number of samples by means of a known line spectrum. The method is simple, reproducible, inexpensive (the polyvalent antiserum was used at 1% in the antibody-containing gel) and allowed quantitative determination.

Serological grouping of streptococci: a collective evaluation in six laboratories of three rapid methods.

Three serological methods for streptococci grouping: latex agglutination after pronase extraction (LAP), latex agglutination after nitrous acid extraction (LAN) and counterimmunoelectrophoresis after nitrous acid extraction (CIEN) were evaluated in six laboratories with 310 strains of streptococci. To reduce the possible influence of a particular laboratory, each serological procedure was performed in two different laboratories with identical protocols and strains. Between the three procedures, a total agreement of 81.3% with six identical results was obtained. Since only one discordant result was obtained in 12.2% (CIEN 4.8%-LAN 5.8%-LAP 1.6%) and two discordant results with two different serological methods in 2.6%, it could be concluded that agreement between the three procedures was 96%. For B (99 strains tested) and D(100 strains tested) groups, total agreements of respectively 95% and 92% were achieved. In conclusion, LAP, LAN, and CIEN gave equivalent results for streptococci grouping, but LAN was the most simple needing no heating, centrifugation, or electrophoresis equipment and lacking cross-reactivity of group C antibody.