The discovery of the association of spiral bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, in humans with stomach ulcers and stomach cancer has led to fundamental changes in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Infection with Helicobacter spp. is also common in cats. In contrast to humans infected with H. pylori, the relationship of Helicobacter spp. to inflammation of the stomach and clinical signs such as vomiting is not known in cats, since these spiral shaped bacteria can been found in the stomachs of both clinically healthy cats and cats with recurrent vomiting. Some, but not all, infected cats have inflammation of the stomach, and many cats are outwardly normal despite infection. The relationship of Helicobacter spp. to gastric cancer has not been investigated in cats. It is now known that H. pylori can cause marked changes in the balance of chemical substances, cytokines, which control inflammation in the stomach. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of Helicobacter spp. to gastric inflammation in cats by evaluating the balance of cytokines in the stomachs of cats who are uninfected and cats who are infected. It is anticipated that this study will substantially advance the understanding of the role of Helicobacter spp. in gastric inflammation and possibly gastric tumor formation in cats. (Continuation of grant awarded in 1996.)
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