The bacterial genus Helicobacter contains at least 18 species which colonise the gastrointestinal tract of several
mammalian and avian hosts. In literature, Helicobacter spp. infection in cats is reported with a prevalence between
41% and 100%. Several studies showed the presence in cat of H. pylori e H. heilmannii, potential zoonotic agents. The
aim of this work was to show the presence of Helicobacter in feline gastric washings collected in small animals
veterinary clinics.
The samples were collected from cats presented for surgical operations. Eleven gastric fluids were centrifuged and
submitted to cytological examination (May Grünwald-Giemsa). Besides, the DNA extracted from samples was
examined by PCR, in order to reveal a fragment of 16S rRNA gene of Helicobacter. All tested samples resulted
positive. Nucleotide sequencing allowed to identify H. heilmannii in one case.
The collection method revealed to be useful in monitoring Helicobacter spread in feline population, being non-invasive,
reliable and easily feasible
