Cats and Helicobacter

Takemura, L. S., P. L. Camargo, et al. (2009). "Helicobacter spp. in cats: association between infecting species and epithelial proliferation within the gastric lamina propria." J Comp Pathol 141(2-3): 127-34.

Helicobacter are bacteria that colonize the gastric lumen and duodenum. In humans, these bacteria have been linked to gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric adenocarcinomas. The prevalence of Helicobacter in cats is high, but it is not known if there is an associated risk of gastric lesions. In this study, gastric samples were collected from 23 cats; 18 with no clinical signs, and 5 that had chronic vomiting. Samples were assessed microscopically for epithelial changes, as well as by PCR for the organism. The bacteria were detected in 20 of the 23 cats, four of which were from the cats experiencing chronic vomiting. No correlation was found between gastric inflammation and level of Helicobacter colonization. Helicobacter colonization was associated with increased epithelial proliferation in the stomach; thus, the authors postulate, it could contribute to gastric cancers. [MK]
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Related articles:
Greiter-Wilke, A., E. Scanziani, et al. (2006). "Association of Helicobacter with cholangiohepatitis in cats." J Vet Intern Med 20(4): 822-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

Bridgeford, E. C., R. P. Marini, et al. (2008). "Gastric Helicobacter species as a cause of feline gastric lymphoma: A viable hypothesis." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123(1-2): 106-13.
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Takemura, L. S., P. L. Camargo, et al. (2009). "Helicobacter spp. in cats: association between infecting species and epithelial proliferation within the gastric lamina propria." J Comp Pathol 141(2-3): 127-34.

Helicobacter are bacteria that colonize the gastric lumen and duodenum. In humans, these bacteria have been linked to gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric adenocarcinomas. The prevalence of Helicobacter in cats is high, but it is not known if there is an associated risk of gastric lesions. In this study, gastric samples were collected from 23 cats; 18 with no clinical signs, and 5 that had chronic vomiting. Samples were assessed microscopically for epithelial changes, as well as by PCR for the organism. The bacteria were detected in 20 of the 23 cats, four of which were from the cats experiencing chronic vomiting. No correlation was found between gastric inflammation and level of Helicobacter colonization. Helicobacter colonization was associated with increased epithelial proliferation in the stomach; thus, the authors postulate, it could contribute to gastric cancers. [MK]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Greiter-Wilke, A., E. Scanziani, et al. (2006). "Association of Helicobacter with cholangiohepatitis in cats." J Vet Intern Med 20(4): 822-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

Bridgeford, E. C., R. P. Marini, et al. (2008). "Gastric Helicobacter species as a cause of feline gastric lymphoma: A viable hypothesis." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 123(1-2): 106-13.
>> Free, full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Diabetes and Glucocorticoids in Cats

Lowe, A. D., T. K. Graves, et al. (2009). "A pilot study comparing the diabetogenic effects of dexamethasone and prednisolone in cats." J Amer Anim Hosp Assoc 45(5): 215-224.

One of the most common endocrine diseases in the cat is diabetes mellitus. Glucocorticoids are one of the most prescribed classes of drugs in veterinary medicine and there is little known about the safety profiles of these drugs in cats. Glucocorticoids carry a risk of side effects in most species, although cats have been considered resistant to many of the deleterious effects. This study followed 14 cats that received daily prednisolone (4.4 mg/kg, PO) or dexamethasone (0.55 mg/kg, PO) for 56 days. The doses were considered clinically equipotent. Serum fructosamine and urine glucose were measured on days 0, 28, and 56. In addition, insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and peak insulin secretion were measured in each group before and at the end of the glucocorticoid adminstration. The data suggested that dexamethasone treatment, compared to prednisolone, results in greater fructosamine concentrations, greater decreases in insulin sensitivity, a lesser degree of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells in the face of higher glucose and fructosamine concentrations, and a greater prevalence of glucosuria. These results support the hypothesis that dexamethasone may be a more potent inducer of a pre-diabetic or diabetic state than an equivalent dose of prednisolone. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Clinical, clinicopathological and histological changes observed in 14 cats treated with glucocorticoids." Vet Rec 162(24): 777-83.
>> PubMed Abstract

Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Glucocorticoids in the cat." Vet Dermatol 19(6): 340-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation
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Lowe, A. D., T. K. Graves, et al. (2009). "A pilot study comparing the diabetogenic effects of dexamethasone and prednisolone in cats." J Amer Anim Hosp Assoc 45(5): 215-224.

One of the most common endocrine diseases in the cat is diabetes mellitus. Glucocorticoids are one of the most prescribed classes of drugs in veterinary medicine and there is little known about the safety profiles of these drugs in cats. Glucocorticoids carry a risk of side effects in most species, although cats have been considered resistant to many of the deleterious effects. This study followed 14 cats that received daily prednisolone (4.4 mg/kg, PO) or dexamethasone (0.55 mg/kg, PO) for 56 days. The doses were considered clinically equipotent. Serum fructosamine and urine glucose were measured on days 0, 28, and 56. In addition, insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and peak insulin secretion were measured in each group before and at the end of the glucocorticoid adminstration. The data suggested that dexamethasone treatment, compared to prednisolone, results in greater fructosamine concentrations, greater decreases in insulin sensitivity, a lesser degree of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells in the face of higher glucose and fructosamine concentrations, and a greater prevalence of glucosuria. These results support the hypothesis that dexamethasone may be a more potent inducer of a pre-diabetic or diabetic state than an equivalent dose of prednisolone. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Clinical, clinicopathological and histological changes observed in 14 cats treated with glucocorticoids." Vet Rec 162(24): 777-83.
>> PubMed Abstract

Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Glucocorticoids in the cat." Vet Dermatol 19(6): 340-7.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation
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