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Jakob, W.; Stolte, M.; Valentin, A.; Schr”der, H.-D.
Demonstration of _Helicobacter pylori_-like organisms in the gastric mucosa of captive exotic carnivores
1997  Journal of Comparative Pathology (116): 21-33

Samples of gastric tissue from the cardiac, fundic and pyloric region of 30 carnivores comprising 12 tigers _(Panthera tigris), _10 lions _(Panthera leo), _three pumas _(Felis concolor), _two leopards _(Panthera pardus), _one serval _(Felis serval), _one wolf_ (Canis lupus) _and one hyena _(Crocuta crocuta) _kept at German zoological gardens were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Selected tissue specimens of 12 animals were examined also by electron microscopy. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of _Helicobacter-like _organisms in carnivores and to record infection rates, degree of colonization and associated histopathological changes. Three morphologically different types of spiral-shaped bacteria were demonstrated. A_ Helicobacterpylori-like _organism (HPLO) was found in 42% of the tigers and 90% of the lions examined. Large _Helicobacter-like _organisms (HLOs) were identified in three pumas, one serval, one hyena and in three lions (in the latter, in coexistence with HPLOs). A third organism with a spiral periplasmic fibril _(Helicobacter felis-_like_) _was demonstrated in a wolf. The most striking histopathological finding associated with HPLO and HLO colonization was the formation of lymphoid follicles in the mucosa. Additional lymphoplasmacytic and neutrophilic infiltrates in the gastric mucosa were found in a number of tigers and lions infected with HPLOs, but none in the other carnivores infected with HLOs. From these results it is concluded that gastric bacteria similar or identical with _H. pylori _may also be an important cause of chronic gastritis in tigers and lions.

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