Identification of a novel enteric Helicobacter species in a kitten with severe diarrhea

Abstract

A previously undescribed Helicobacter sp. was recovered from a cat with severe diarrhea. Based upon the absence of any other identifiable cause of diarrhea, this helicobacter may be involved in the development of the disease signs. The organism could not be cultured but was described on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and morphology and appeared to be a new species, with Helicobacter canis being the most genetically similar species. The presence of a diarrhea-inducing helicobacter in a companion animal may pose a risk of zoonosis.

FIG. 1

Gram-stained feces from patient (stray female kitten).

FIG. 2

Colonic epithelium of the kitten. Note the large numbers of thick, long spiral-shaped bacteria in the lumen and extending into the crypts. Warthin-Starry staining was used. Bar, 25 μm.

FIG. 3

Genetic tree generated by the Genetics Computer Group Distances program illustrating the relationship of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the new helicobacter isolate to other published helicobacter sequences. See text for the accession numbers of the published sequences.

FIG. 4

Scanning electron micrograph of helicobacter in colon section of the kitten. 7.5 mm = 1 μm.

FIG. 5

Transmission electron micrograph of helicobacter from feces of the kitten. 10 mm = 0.1 μm.