2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Inclusion criteria consisted of chronic GI clinical signs (vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss), exclusion of non-GI diseases and discontinuation of all medications for at least 2 weeks. Biopsy specimens were obtained by gastroduodenoscopy. Helicobacter species remained undetermined in 13.3% of the patients. No HP was found in animals examined. In most dogs, the endoscopic appearance of the gastric mucosa was normal. Overall, the most common endoscopic lesions were erosions or ulcers and increased granularity of gastric mucosa. Gastritis was diagnosed histologically in 36.7% of dogs positive for Helicobacter spp. and in 41.7% of dogs without evidence of Helicobacter colonization. Severe lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastritis (11.1%) and acute purulent-necrotic gastritis (1.5%) were found in single HB infections and moderate lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastritis (14.3%) in single HH s.s. infections. An association between the presence of mixed infection (including HH s.s. and HB) and the lower severity of gastric inflammation was detected when compared to single Helicobacter species infection. This is a large study evaluating association of the individual Helicobacter species with histologically confirmed gastritis in dogs. Dogs are frequently colonized by Helicobacter spp. other than HP, and may represent a reservoir for human infection with non-HP Helicobacter spp. The combination of cytology and rapid urease test performed on gastric biopsy samples represents a reliable diagnostic method suitable for clinical practice. Competitive inhibition may occur when 2 Helicobacter species are simultaneously detected in gastric biopsies, and the presence of one Helicobacter species may interfere with the virulence of other Helicobacter species. Ambulatory light-based imaging (ALI) is a new imaging modality that allows for non-invasive endoluminal visualization of the gastrointestinal mucosa. ALI is performed by oral administration of a capsule containing a fully automated camera (ALICAM) that is propelled by natural peristalsis. The capsule is retrieved from the dogs' feces and images are downloaded. Familiarity with normal and abnormal findings is essential to accurate interpretation of these studies, but these have yet to be documented in veterinary patients. The aim of this study was to present a gallery of normal and abnormal images of the canine gastrointestinal tract using ALICAM.