Helicobacter mustelae infection in ferrets: Pathogenesis, epizootiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Gastric infection by Helicobacter mustelae is extremely prevalent in domestic ferrets. Colonization of the ferret stomach by this organism results in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease and has been associated with gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Histologically, H. mustelae infection of the ferret produces superficial mononuclear gastritis of the body, and diffuse antral gastritis accompanied by focal glandular atrophy of the antrum. Diagnosis of H. mustelae infection may be accomplished by culture of endoscopic biopsy samples, visualization of organisms in Warthin-Starry-stained sections of gastric tissue, evaluation of serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers to H. mustelae, fecal culture, or urea breath test. Treatment modalities typically include one or two select antibiotics along with mucosal protectants, proton pump inhibitors, and/or H-2 receptor antagonists in various combinations. Eradication is readily achieved with antimicrobial therapy of adequate duration. Studies to determine the efficacy of various treatment modalities, epizootiology, pathogenesis, and the influence of H. mustelae on gastric neoplasia have been largely stimulated by the use of the ferret as an animal model of H. pylori infection in humans.