Abstract

Helicobacter species are a group of Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacteria, which are known to colonize the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts of humans and various animal species. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in owned dogs and their role in the transmission of H. pylori to the dog owners. For this purpose, 60 gastric biopsy samples from dog owners and 80 stool samples from owned dogs were collected and examined for the presence of H. pylori 16s rRNA gene by nested PCR. The PCR positive samples from human and dog isolates were further subjected to partial Helicobacter genus-specific 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequence of this gene was performed to determine the relationship between human and dog isolates. H. pylori was detected in 62.5% and 91.6% of dog and human samples, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of Helicobacter genus-specific 16s rRNA gene of human and dog isolates were similar. In conclusion, this study indicated a high prevalence of H. pylori in both dogs and dog owners in Egypt. Zoonotic transmission of H. pylori between dogs and humans is probable and represents a public health concern.