Introduction

Less than 2% of people with gastritis are infected with Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato, a condition that has been associated with type MALT lymphoma. There is a high prevalence of infection of Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato in people living in rural areas and those who have contact with domestic animals. The crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) is the most common Neotropical canid in the northern regions of South America and is considered a natural reservoir of different human and canine pathogens.

Objectives

Identify the infection of Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato in the gastric mucosa of naturally infected Cerdocyon thous, using light microscopy.

Methods

Four dead specimens of Cerdocyon thous donated for anatomical studies by CORPOCALDAS were submerged in 10% formaldehyde and stored. Samples of gastric fundus and antrum were obtained. Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato organisms were counted in H&E-stained biopsies, and infection was classified as negative, mild, moderate, and severe. The inflammatory and morphologic changes were evaluated using WSAVA gastrointestinal histopathology standards as a guide.

Results

Two animals were infected with Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato, and two were considered negative. The infected animals showed mild infection (less than 10 organisms in a 400x field) and normal to mild morphologic changes. No significant inflammatory response was observed.

Conclusion

Helicobacter heilmannii sensu lato infect the gastric mucosa of Cerdocyon thous without significant associated morphologic and inflammatory changes. The crab-eating fox is a natural reservoir of these organisms and is a potential source of infections for dogs and humans living in rural areas.