Peptic ulcer disease associated with Helicobacter felis in a dog owner.
The aim of this study was to investigate the identity of the Helicobacter heilmannii-like bacteria found in the stomach of a human patient suffering from stomach ulcers and her asymptomatic pet dog. An elderly woman was referred for gastroscopy because of right hypochondrial pain, nausea, anorexia and vomiting. Gastric ulcers were observed and histology revealed the presence of multiple H. heilmannii-like bacteria. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified the bacteria as H. felis. Her pet dog was also examined gastroscopically. Only mild gastric lesions were found but PCR showed the presence of H. felis as well as H. bizzozeronii and Candidatus H. heilmannii. This report associates H. felis infection in humans with severe gastric ulceration. Moreover, the suggestion can be made that the patient contracted H. felis from her dog.
De Bock
Manuelle
M
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium. manuelle.debock@gmail.com
Van den Bulck
Kathleen
K
Hellemans
Ann
A
Daminet
Sylvie
S
Coche
Jean-Charles
JC
Debongnie
Jean-Claude
JC
Decostere
Annemie
A
Haesebrouck
Freddy
F
Ducatelle
Richard
R
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary; D044922:Helicobacter felis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000382:microbiology