Purpose: To investigate the state of
VacA,
CagA,
oipA and
iceA genotypes of
H. pylori
isolated from
gastric biopsy samples of dogs.
Methods: A total of 240 gastric biopsy samples were taken from 240 dogs using gastric endoscope. All
the samples were cultured and
H. pylori-positive samples were analyzed for the presence of various
genotypes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: Thirteen out of 240 (5.41 %) samples were positive for
H. pylori with a higher prevalence of
the bacterium in dogs with gastric ulcer (6.36 %). The most commonly detected genotypes were
VacA
s1a (53.84 %),
CagA (46.15 %) and
VacA m2 (38.46 %). Total prevalence of
iceA1,
iceA2 and
oipA
genotypes were 23.07, 10.8 and 10.81 %, respectively. M2s1a (30.76 %), m1am2 (30.76 %) and
m1as1a (23.07 %) had the highest prevalence among other detected combined genotypes. Twenty-two
different genotypic combinations were detected with higher prevalence of s1a/
CagA+/
iceA1/
oipA- (23.07
%), m2/
CagA+/
iceA1/
oipA- (23.07 %), and s1b/
CagA+/
iceA1/
oipA- (15.38 %) genotypes.
Conclusion: The presence of similar genotypes in
H. pylori strains of gastric biopsy samples of dogs
and those of human clinical specimens suggest that dogs may be the source of the bacterium. Proper
handwashing and avoidance contact with feces and saliva of dogs are recommended to prevent
transmission of
H. pylori.
