Abstract
Background: The equine glandular stomach is commonly affected by erosion and ulceration. The aim of this study
was to assess whether bacteria, including Helicobacter, could be involved in the aetiology of gastric glandular
lesions seen in horses.
Results: Stomach lesions, as well as normal appearing mucosa were obtained from horses slaughtered for human
consumption. All samples were tested for urease activity using the Pyloritek® assay, while mucosal bacterial content
was evaluated using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation. In selected sub samples, bacteria characterisation was
pursued further by cloning and sequencing. Mucosal lesions were found in 36/63 stomachs and included
hyperplastic rugae, polypoid structures and focal erosions. None of the samples were tested positive for urease
activity or for FISH using the Helicobacter genus specific probe. In samples of lesions, as well as normal samples,
clones with 99% similarities to Lactobacillus salivarius and Sarcina ventriculi were found. Escherichia like bacterium
clones and Enterococcus clones were demonstrated in one focal erosion. Based on a phylogenetic tree these
clones had 100% similarity to Escherichia fergusonii and Enterococcus faecium. The Enterococcus were found
colonising the mucosal surface, while E. fergusonii organisms were also demonstrated intraepithelial.
Conclusion: Gastric Helicobacter spp. could not be verified as being involved in lesions of the glandular stomach
of the horse. Since E. fergusonii has been described as an emerging pathogen in both humans and animals, the
finding of this bacterium in gastric erosion warrants further clarification to whether gastric infection with this type
bacterium is important for horses.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | B M C Microbiology |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 84 |
ISSN | 1471-2180 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |