Association of gastric lymphofollicular hyperplasia with Helicobacter-like organisms in dogs

Gastric lymphofollicular hyperplasia (GLFH) is characterized by the formation of lymphoid nodules and follicles in the gastric mucosa. In humans this might reflect an active stimulation of lymphoid tissue by Helicobacter pylori. The presence of this bacteria may cause a high risk of developing gastritis, gastric and/or duodenal ulcers and low-grade lymphoma.

The association between GLFH and the presence of Helicobacter-like organisms (HLOs), as well as the presence of clinical signs, is not studied in dogs. This retrospective study assesses the epidemiology, clinical signs, endoscopic and histopathologic findings associated with GLFH and their association with HLOs.

Brachycephalic dogs with increased inspiratory effort seem to be overrepresented in populations with GLFH. Dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) are known for a high prevalence of digestive signs. A possible explanation for this could be the association between BOAS, GLFH and HLOs.

The aim of the study was to define if there is an association between GLFH and HLOs and, determine if these two are related with the French Bulldog breed.

Conclusions were that there is an association between GLFH and HLOs in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs. A higher score of HLOs was associated with a higher score and more severe form of GLFH. However, there was no correlation with these and the French Bulldog breed.

Histological and endoscopic results showed a link between GLFH and gastric ulcers due to chronic inflammation created by the HLOs and to the immune response of the gastric mucosa.

In this study it was also shown that a higher score of HLOs and GLFH are found in younger animals. Helicobacter spp. in the stomach of young animals is thought to be beneficial for the host because the GLFH might be part of the normal maturation of the gastric immunity. This could also explain why it is so prevalent in younger dogs. For this reason, treatment at younger ages might be questionable.

Regarding the French Bulldog breed, the association might be circumstantial seeing as these dogs are examined at a young age because they have BOAS or because they are vomiting/regurgitating.

Further studies are required to determine if the infection by HLOs and the GLFH are normal steps of the gastric immune response maturation.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvim.16387

Biénès, T, Leal, RO, Domínguez-Ruiz, M, De Carvalho, RE, Rodrigues, NF, Dally, C, Hussen, JC, Le Boedec, K, Hernandez, J, (2022) ‘Association of gastric lymphofollicular hyperplasia with Helicobacter-like organisms in dogs’, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16387