HELICOBACTER INFECTION

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT HELICOBACTER

WHAT IS HELICOBACTER?

HOW DOES HELICOBACTER CAUSE DAMAGE?

Very few organisms can withstand the extreme acidity of the stomach. The tissue of the stomach is protected by a layer of mucus into which bicarbonate is secreted as an acid neutralizer. The integrity of this mucus lining keeps us from being burned by our own stomach acid.

Helicobacter survives by using enzymes to create its own layer of protective bicarbonate. This little safety suit allows the bacteria to burrow into the stomach's mucus layer. Their presence generates inflammation in the stomach tissue. Many patients are colonized by Helicobacter and do not develop symptoms; however, if Helicobacter penetrates deeply enough, it will bind to the mucus secreting cells of the stomach and disrupt their ability to produce normal mucus. Ultimately, the mucus lining is disrupted, stomach acid gains access to the stomach tissue, and burning results. Ulcers are thus formed. Making matters worse, Helicobacter organisms are able to stimulate extra acid secretion by the stomach tissue. More burning and more ulcers result and soon the patient is experiencing pain, nausea and/or vomiting. It is unclear what constitutes a few Helicobacter bacteria sharing the stomach with its host peacefully and numerous Helicobacter organisms disrupting the stomach lining integrity and causing disease. It is possible that without additional stomach disease (such as inflammatory bowel disease) or other factors (stress, anxiety), Helicobacter causes no trouble plus there are many strains and types of Helicobacter and not all of them cause harm. Helicobacter organisms are often found in small numbers in normal stomachs.

Some Helicobacter species are also capable of producing toxins but the role of such toxins in this disease process is not clear.

Helicobacter seems to be one reason why an animal who has been stable with inflammatory bowel disease or some other stomach disease might suddenly get much worse.

DOES HELICOBACTER INFECTION CAUSE CANCER?

In humans, it appears that Helicobacter infection may indeed cause cancer. We know that Helicobacter infection represents a 400% risk increase for the development of stomach cancer for people. Pets, however, get infected with different Helicobacter species and the same association with cancer in these species has not been made.

DOES MY PET HAVE HELICOBACTER OVERGROWTH?

There are many excellent ways to determine if a pet's chronic gastrointestinal problem is being complicated by Helicobacter infection.

• BIOPSY - While it is possible to miss Helicobacter if only certain areas of the stomach are colonized, biopsy is by far the most accurate test. This method not only detects the infection but also assesses the degree of inflammation and checks for cancer.

small purple "sticks" are Helicobacter organisms
(Photocredit: Ed Uthman via Wikimedia Commons)

• THE RAPID UREASE TEST - Some gastroenterologists will keep a special broth handy during the biopsy procedure. A spare tissue sample can be dropped in the broth and incubated quickly. The presence of urease, the enzyme that creates Helicobacter's protective bicarbonate layer, induces a color change in the solution. The more organisms are present in the sample, the faster the color change occurs. If no change is observed after 24 hours, the test is considered negative for Helicobacter. In this way, Helicobacter can be detected in an hour rather than after the several day period it takes to obtain biopsy results.

test kit showing negative and positive results for Helicobacter

• PCR TESTING - This especially sensitive DNA testing can be used but is only available in a few centers.
• BLOOD TESTS - Antibodies against Helicobacter can be detected but their levels take months to decline even after the Helicobacter organism is long gone. This limits the usefulness of such testing.
• BREATH TESTING - A radioisotope labeled meal is fed and the patient's breath is tested for Helicobacter metabolites. This form of testing is easy to use for monitoring the eradication of Helicobacter, plus it is non-invasive. In humans, Helicobacter eradication is usually confirmed 4 to 8 weeks after treatment has been completed. With the breath test, a second biopsy or endoscopy is not needed. Unfortunately, this type of testing is not readily available for pets.
• BRUSH CYTOLOGY - During endoscopy a special brush can be traced over the tissue of the stomach to collect cells. The sample obtained can be transferred to a microscope slide and examined immediately for spiral bacteria. Helicobacter are easily identified and this test is currently favored as the fastest and easiest.

(Image Courtesy of Dr. Steven Bailey, used with permission)

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Treatment protocols generally consist of two or three antibiotics and a medication to reduce stomach acid production. Numerous medication combinations have been used. Treatment typically involves 2-3 weeks of medication use. Here is a list of medications typically used in the treatment of Helicobacter:

• Amoxicillin (an antibiotic)
• Tetracycline (an antibiotic)
• Pepto-Bismol (the bismuth actually accumulates in the Helicobacter cell wall and destroys the organism)
• Flagyl (an antibiotic)
• Omeprazole (an antacid)
• Pepsid AC (an antacid)
• Clarythromycin (an antibiotic)
• Azithromycin (an antibiotic)
• Erythromycin (an antibiotic)

CAN MY PET INFECT ME?

We do not currently know the answer to this question. We do know that there is at least one Helicobacter species capable of infecting both humans and cats. We know that cat ownership does not seem to represent an increased risk for Helicobacter infection in humans. Transmission of the disease is felt to be through contact with vomit or fecal matter. When cleaning up after your pet, wear gloves if possible and certainly wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Page last updated: 9/10/2024