Zoonotic risk and public health hazards of companion animals in the transmission of Helicobacter species

Objective: Helicobacteriosis is worldwide infection caused by Helicobacter species that affects both humans and animals. The current work correlated the zoonotic and public health repertoire of Helicobacter species in companion animals (dogs and cats). Methods: Samples were collected from apparently healthy dogs (70), cats (65), and 70 human patients who had been in contact with these animals in the Cairo and Giza governorates. The samples included serum, feces, and stool samples and biopsies of gastric fundus fragments (~5 mm). All samples were examined by culture, biochemical analysis, serology, and molecular identification. Results: Helicobacter species were detected at a rate of 43.4% by PCR. H. heilmannii was more predominant, with a rate of 16%, whereas H. pylori was detected at 6%. H. pylori and H. heilmannii were isolated from both human and companion samples, whereas all samples were negative for H. felis. Conclusion: Dogs and cats were reservoirs and played a major source in human helicobacters infection