Effect of gastric Helicobacter-like organisms on gastric epithelial cell proliferation rate in dogs

The aim of this study was the evaluation of gastric epithelial cell proliferation rate in connection with the gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLO) infection in dogs. The study was performed on samples of the gastric mucosa obtained during necropsies from 60 dogs euthanasized for various reasons. Microscopic preparations were stained with the hematoxylin-eosin method, Giemsa method, Warthin-Starry silver method and immunohistochemical method (MIB-1 antibody) to investigate the expression Ki67 antigen. In glands of the gastric body and antrum different proliferation patterns were observed. The gastric epithelial cell proliferation rate in the gastric antrum was significantly higher in dogs with GHLO colonization in relation to dogs without GHLO, and in the gastric body was significantly higher in dogs with mild GHLO colonization as compared to dogs with significant GHLO colonization and without GHLO colonization. The gastric epithelial cell proliferation rate in the gastric body was significantly higher in dogs with gastritis in comparision with the dogs without gastritis irrespectively from the presence or absence of the GHLO colonization. It seems that the presence of the GHLO colonization, as well as the inflammatory state in the gastric mucosae, can alter the rate of the gastric epithelial cells proliferation in dogs.