HELICOBACTER INFECTION

Helicobacter species have recently been recognized as important pathog ens in human gastrointestinal disease. Helicobacter species evidently play a role in gastrointestinal disease in some animal species, such a s ferrets, cheetahs, pigs, dogs, and cats. The pathogenicity of Helico bacter organisms may result from their unusual ability to survive the highly acidic environment of the stomach. Eradication of Helicobacter infection from human ulcer patients requires combinations of antimicro bials and other drugs but has resulted in significantly reduced recurr ence rates of gastroduodenal ulceration and gastritis. Helicobacter py lori has been associated with gastric adenocarcinoma in humans. Veteri nary gastroenterologists and microbiologists are currently investigate d the potential role of Helicobacter species in disease of dogs and ca ts.