IDENTIFICATION OF Helicobacter spp. ON GASTRIC AND DUODENAL MUCOSA OF DOGS (Canis familiaris) BY WARTHIN-STARRY TECHNIQUE

Abstract Bacteria of the genus Helicobacter spp. have been identified on the gastric mucosa of different species of mammals, including canines. Infected patients have histological gastritis; however, not all the animals that carry the bacteria show clinical signs. The objective of this work was to identify the bacteria suggestive of Helicobacter spp. by impregnation by silver and to characterize the histopathological lesions observed. Qualitative evaluation was performed for histological analysis, in which scores from absent (-) to severe (+++) were attributed, considering the density of spiral bacteria per field (400x), presence of inflammatory cells, and number of lymphoid aggregates. Of the 26 animals evaluated, 34.6% presented positivity for helicobacteriosis. Gastritis was observed in 15.38% of the animals and a higher occurrence of bacteria of the genus Helicobacter spp. was observed in the gastric body/fundus region (23%). In nine samples, six from gastric body/fundus and three from antrum pylorus, lymphoid clusters associated with Helicobacter spp. were observed. Fisher's Test revealed a positive association between the presence of Helicobacter spp. and lymphoid aggregates (p<0.001). Infection by Helicobacter spp. is associated with the presence of lymphoid aggregates in canines.