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Helicobacter infection in dogs and cats: to treat or not to treat?
Author(s) -
Simpson James
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inpract.27.4.204
Subject(s) - medicine , biopsy , cats , gastritis , etiology , helicobacter , vomiting , inflammation , histopathological examination , helicobacter pylori , clinical significance , pathology , gastroenterology
CHRONIC vomiting is very common in both dogs and cats, with ever‐increasing numbers of patients undergoing endoscopic examination and biopsy collection to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Histopathological examination of biopsy samples frequently confirms the presence of inflammation, which is categorised by the types of inflammatory cell infiltrating the mucosa. However, the underlying aetiology of this inflammation is rarely determined. Therefore, when a pathologist also reports the presence of gastric Helicobacter‐like organisms (GHLOs) in the biopsy samples, it is tempting to diagnose bacterial infection as the cause of the inflammation. Although GHLOs are recognised as causing gastritis in humans, their clinical significance in the dog and cat remains controversial. This article reviews the current understanding of GHLOs and provides guidance on when and what treatment is indicated.