Identification of Helicobacter spp. in gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and hepatobiliary system of stray cats

The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of Helicobacter species in different parts of gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system and pancreas of stray cats. Six different sites at the level of genus, gastric (H. heilmannii and H. felis) and enterohepatic species of Helicobacter were investigated in six cats using speciesspecific primers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Interestingly, DNA of enterohepatic spp. was detected in 1/6 duodenum, 2/6 colon and 1/6 pancreas specimens. Results of sequencing revealed that all of these four positive sles belong to Helicobacter canis. While cats have not been considered as a potential zoonotic danger for nonpylori Helicobacter infections, the results of current study show prompt reevaluation of that view. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about distribution of Helicobcater spp. in gastrointestinal tract of cats.