Gastric Helicobacter spp. infection in captive neotropical Brazilian feline

Ten captive neotropical Brazilian feline were submitted to gastroscopic examination and samples of gastric mucosa from fundus, corpus and pyloric antrum were evaluated for the presence of Helicobacter species. Warthin-Starry (WS) staining and PCR assay with species-specific primers and enzymatic cleavage were applied for bacterial detection and identification. Histological lesions were evaluated by haematoxylin and eosin staining. All animals showed normal gross aspect of gastric mucosa. Helicobacter heilmannii was confirmed in 100 percent of the samples by WS and PCR assay. Mild lymphocytic infiltrate in the lamina propria was observed in eight animals, mainly in the fundus region. Small lymphoid follicles were seen in three animals. No significant association between Helicobacter infection and histological findings was verified. These observations suggest that gastric Helicobacter spp. could be a commensal or a eventual pathogen to captive neotropical feline, and that procedures, way life, and stress level on the shelter apparently had no negative repercussion over the integrity of the stomach.

Avaliação do efeito da suplementação terapêutica com probiótico em cães filhotes com gastrenterite hemorrágica / Evaluation of the therapeutic supplementation with commercial powder probiótic to puppies with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis

A gastrenterite hemorrágica (GHE) é uma afecção comum em filhotes de cães, e motivo freqüente de internação e mortalidade. Considerando que probióticos têm sido apontados como benéficos no tratamento destes pacientes, avaliamos o impacto da inclusão de probiótico á base de Lactobacillus acidophillus em 100 filhotes de cães com GHE, distribuídos em dois grupos de 50 indivíduos. Os cães do grupo 1 (G1), além da terapia indicada para GEH, constituída de fluido e antibiótico terapia e antiemético, receberam, por via oral, probiótico. Para os animais do grupo 2 (G2) foi adotada apenas a terapêutica convencional. Foram quantificadas as partículas virais nas fezes, pela hemaglutinação (HA) e os anticorpos (Ac) anti-parvovírus por inibição da hemaglutinação. Foram registradas a duração da internação e a tolerância dos animais ao probiótico. A excreção viral nas fezes pelos animais de ambos os grupos foi semelhante no momento da internação (P=0,746) e da alta hospitalar (P=0,294). Entretanto, no G1 a excreção foi significativamente menor no momento da alta (p<0,001). O período de internamento variou de um a 15 dias no G1 e de um a 10 dias no G2 (P=0,70). A taxa de mortalidade no G1 foi de 37,50 (18/48) e de 26 (13/50) no G2 (P=0,49). A aceitação do probiótico variou de regular a ótima em 95 das administrações, porém, os animais que foram a óbito demonstraram intolerância. Com estas observações não foi estabelecida relação entre a administração de probiótico e recuperação da doença, abreviação do período de internação ou ao aumento da resposta humoral. Porém, a suplementação reduziu a excreção fecal de vírus, o que é benéfico quando se considera a menor disseminação do vírus no ambiente

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (GHE) is a common motivation to hospitalization and mortality betweenpuppies. Considering the beneficial effects of probiotics in the treatment of some gastrointestinal disorders,we evaluated the usefulness of the probiotic product in 100 puppies hospitalized because GHE. Fifthdogs were treated by intravenous fluid, antiemetic, antibiotics and probiotic product (G1), and the other50 only by supportive and symptomatic therapy (G2). We accessed the titters of anticorpus anti-parvovirusby HI, fecal excretion of virus by HA and registered the duration of internation period and tolerance toprobiotic ingestion. The titters of HI were similar between G1 and G2 in the samples from entrance (P =0,553) and at the hospital discharge (P = 0,844), moreover arises during hospitalization in booth groups(P < 0,001). The fecal excretion of virus of G1 and G2 were similar in booth moments (P = 0,746 and P =0,294, respectively) furthermore the G1 showed lowest fecal titters of virus at hospital discharge (P <0,001). The internation period in the G1 variates one to 15 days and one to 10 days in the G2 group,without statistical difference between the groups (P = 0,70). The rate of mortality in the G1 was 37,50%(18/48) and 26% (13/50) in the G2, lacking statistical significance (P = 0,49). Probiotic tolerance wasregular to excellent in 95% of the administrations, furthermore the animals that died demonstrate intolerance.These observation permits no established a relationship between the administration of Lactobacilusacidophillus based probiotic and shortening treatment duration, improved in the disease evolution oranticorpus production, likewise showed positive influence over fecal excretion of virus. Considering theparvovirosis, this is a desirable factor to decrease dissemination of the disease between susceptiblepopulation