title: Observation of Helicobacter-like organisms in gastric mucosa of grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and bobcats (Lynx rufus).
abstract: Archival specimens of gastric mucosa of 10 raccoons (Procyon lotor), 9 porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum), 6 grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), 6 bobcats (Lynx rufus), 4 skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and 3 black bears (Ursus americanus) were microscopically examined for evidence of Helicobacter-like organisms. Such organisms were seen in the specimens from the grey foxes and bobcats only. Histochemical stains (modified Steiner and carbol fuchsin methods) revealed long spiral organisms within lumina of gastric glands; however, neither gross nor microscopic lesions were observed. By electron microscopy (EM), the organisms were found to be free in the glandular lumina and were seen occasionally in the cytoplasm of gastric epithelial cells. Morphologically, 2 different phenotypes of spiral organisms were identified by EM. The organisms associated with bobcats appeared to be more tightly coiled than those seen in grey foxes. The presence of Helicobacter-like organisms in the gastric mucosa of grey foxes has not previously been described.
authors.affiliation: National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, 2300 Dayton Road, PO Box 70, Ames, Iowa 50010, USA. ahamir@nadc.ars.usda.gov
authors.forename: Amir N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Hamir
authors.forename: Judi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stasko
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rupprecht
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000382:microbiology; D005589:Foxes / Q000382:microbiology*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D016998:Helicobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D046008:Lynx / Q000382:microbiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000662:veterinary; D010641:Phenotype; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology