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

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Cerenia for Nausea in Cats

Hickman, M. A., S. R. Cox, et al. (2008). "Safety, pharmacokinetics and use of the novel NK-1 receptor antagonist maropitant (Cerenia) for the prevention of emesis and motion sickness in cats." Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 31(3): 220-229.

Maropitant (Cerenia, Pfizer Animal Health) is a selective NK-1 receptor antagonist that has anti-emetic effects. It is licensed for oral use in dogs in the United States. In this study, maropitant was administered to cats at doses ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) for 15 days. No adverse effects were found at any dose, including doses that exceed the anti-emetic dose by a factor of 10. The pharmacokinetics of maropitant were determined following single dose oral, intravenous, and SC administration. Anti-emesis efficacy was determined against xylazine or motion. A dosage of 1 mg/kg maropitant administered IV, SC or PO prevented emesis elicited by xylazine. The results indicate that maropitant is an effective, well tolerated and safe anti-emetic in cats at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg with a 24-hour duration of action.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
de la Puente-Redondo, V. A., E. M. Siedek, et al. (2007). "The anti-emetic efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia) in the treatment of ongoing emesis caused by a wide range of underlying clinical aetiologies in canine patients in Europe." J Small Anim Pract 48(2): 93-8.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Hickman, M. A., S. R. Cox, et al. (2008). "Safety, pharmacokinetics and use of the novel NK-1 receptor antagonist maropitant (Cerenia) for the prevention of emesis and motion sickness in cats." Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 31(3): 220-229.

Maropitant (Cerenia, Pfizer Animal Health) is a selective NK-1 receptor antagonist that has anti-emetic effects. It is licensed for oral use in dogs in the United States. In this study, maropitant was administered to cats at doses ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) for 15 days. No adverse effects were found at any dose, including doses that exceed the anti-emetic dose by a factor of 10. The pharmacokinetics of maropitant were determined following single dose oral, intravenous, and SC administration. Anti-emesis efficacy was determined against xylazine or motion. A dosage of 1 mg/kg maropitant administered IV, SC or PO prevented emesis elicited by xylazine. The results indicate that maropitant is an effective, well tolerated and safe anti-emetic in cats at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg with a 24-hour duration of action.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
de la Puente-Redondo, V. A., E. M. Siedek, et al. (2007). "The anti-emetic efficacy of maropitant (Cerenia) in the treatment of ongoing emesis caused by a wide range of underlying clinical aetiologies in canine patients in Europe." J Small Anim Pract 48(2): 93-8.
>> PubMed abstract

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Outcome of Cats with Lymphoma

Kiselow, M. A., K. M. Rassnick, et al. (2008). "Outcome of cats with low-grade lymphocytic lymphoma: 41 cases (1995-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(3): 405-10.

This retrospective case series looked at 41 cats with confirmed lymphoma of various organs treated with prednisone and chlorambucil. Common clinical signs included vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and diarrhea. The majority of cats tested had low serum cobalamin levels. Most cats (68%) had lymphoma confined to the gastrointestinal tract. A complete response to treatment was achieved in 58% of cats, and 39% achieved a partial response. Overall median survival time was 704 days. This study shows that most cats diagnosed with lymphocytic lymphoma will respond to treatment with prednisone and chlorambucil.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Hadden, A. G., S. M. Cotter, et al. (2008). "Efficacy and Toxicosis of VELCAP-C Treatment of Lymphoma in Cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(1): 153-7.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Kiselow, M. A., K. M. Rassnick, et al. (2008). "Outcome of cats with low-grade lymphocytic lymphoma: 41 cases (1995-2005)." J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(3): 405-10.

This retrospective case series looked at 41 cats with confirmed lymphoma of various organs treated with prednisone and chlorambucil. Common clinical signs included vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, and diarrhea. The majority of cats tested had low serum cobalamin levels. Most cats (68%) had lymphoma confined to the gastrointestinal tract. A complete response to treatment was achieved in 58% of cats, and 39% achieved a partial response. Overall median survival time was 704 days. This study shows that most cats diagnosed with lymphocytic lymphoma will respond to treatment with prednisone and chlorambucil.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Hadden, A. G., S. M. Cotter, et al. (2008). "Efficacy and Toxicosis of VELCAP-C Treatment of Lymphoma in Cats." J Vet Intern Med 22(1): 153-7.
>> PubMed abstract

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Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats

Winn funded research

Janeczko, S., D. Atwater, et al. (2008). "The relationship of mucosal bacteria to duodenal histopathology, cytokine mRNA, and clinical disease activity in cats with inflammatory bowel disease." Vet Microbiol 128(1-2): 178-93.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term for a group of poorly understood gastrointestinal (GI) diseases of cats. Cats with IBD have uncontrolled intestinal inflammation but the inciting causes are poorly understood. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of intestinal mucosal bacteria to inflammation and clinical signs in cats with IBD. Biopsies of the duodenum were obtained from 27 cats: 17 cats sampled as part of diagnostic investigation for GI disease, and 10 control cats. The number of Enterobacteriaceae was higher in cats with clinical signs of GI disease than healthy cats. Total numbers of mucosal bacteria were associated with changes in mucosal architecture and the degree of inflammation. The results of this study suggest that mucosal bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and Clostridium are involved in the pathogenesis of IBD in cats.

>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Winn funded research

Janeczko, S., D. Atwater, et al. (2008). "The relationship of mucosal bacteria to duodenal histopathology, cytokine mRNA, and clinical disease activity in cats with inflammatory bowel disease." Vet Microbiol 128(1-2): 178-93.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term for a group of poorly understood gastrointestinal (GI) diseases of cats. Cats with IBD have uncontrolled intestinal inflammation but the inciting causes are poorly understood. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of intestinal mucosal bacteria to inflammation and clinical signs in cats with IBD. Biopsies of the duodenum were obtained from 27 cats: 17 cats sampled as part of diagnostic investigation for GI disease, and 10 control cats. The number of Enterobacteriaceae was higher in cats with clinical signs of GI disease than healthy cats. Total numbers of mucosal bacteria were associated with changes in mucosal architecture and the degree of inflammation. The results of this study suggest that mucosal bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and Clostridium are involved in the pathogenesis of IBD in cats.

>> PubMed Abstract

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