Assessment of antimicrobial resistance of cultivable Helicobacter-like organisms in asymptomatic dogs

This study was performed to detect cultivable canine gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLO’s) and to evaluate their sensitivity to common antibiotics in two groups of naturally infected dogs (pets and stray dogs). Gastric samples were taken from the body and antrum of 30 pets and 30 stray dogs. From each part of canine gastric mucosa, four gastroscopic samples were used for impression smear, rapid urease test (RUT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture examination. 88.5% and 95% of gastric samples were positive for the presence of GHLO’s in cytological and PCR examination, respectively. From 60 canine gastric cultures, successful growth happened in 17 cases. Antimicrobial sensitivity test was performed by disk method. All isolates of helicobacters were highly susceptible to polymyxin B, ampicillin, tetracycline, clarithromycin, erythromycin and gentamicin. Two isolated GHLO’s were resistant to metronidazole. One strain also was resistant to amoxiclav, ceftriaxone, norfloxacin and oxytetracycline. This matter could show the resistance of some strains of helicobacters to different antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. With regards to the results of this study, it is recommended that antibiotic sensitivity test or use of concurrent different antibiotics be tried in the case of treatment resistance.