Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori associated with gastrointestinal implication in pet dogs of Urmia, Iran

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative microaerophilic, curved to spiral-shaped, motile bacterium capable of infecting humans and several animal species. The aim of this study was to quantify immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to H. pylori among pet dogs in relation to gastrointestinal disturbances in Urmia (west Azerbaijan, Iran). Blood samples of ۸۷ pet dogs (۶۴ males and ۲۳ females) were collected via their cephalic vein. Antibodies (IgG) against canine H. pylori were detected by a commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay assay (ELISA) utilizing a monoclonal anti-Hp-IgG antibody and Hp-IgGHRP conjugate. The results showed that ۵۹ male dogs out of ۶۴ and all ۲۳ female dogs had an IgG levels greater than ۱۰۰ ng/mL (۹۴.۲%). The mean (± SD) was ۱۳۱ ± ۱۰.۶۹ ng/mL. The rest of the dogs (۵ male dogs) showed IgG values below ۶۰ ng/mL (۶.۸%). The mean (± SD) was ۵۲ ± ۸.۵۲ ng/mL. Sifting through the medical backgrounds and data of the dogs showed that ۶۳ out of ۸۲ dogs (۷۶.۸%) with high IgG values, had a current or past history of gastrointestinal problems. The statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the prevalence of seropositive cases within different sexes and age groups (p > ۰.۰۵). The current study is the first to address the quantification of IgG titers for H. pylori in dogs in the region, showing its possible strong connection with gastrointestinal disturbances, which could thus be considered a step forward in deciphering rather complex epidemiology of H. pylori.