Zoonotic Potential of Non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter Species Associated With Dogs and Cats in Human Infections: A Systematic Review.
- 1Zoonotic Diseases Research Unit College of Veterinary Medicine University of Baghdad Baghdad Iraq uobaghdad.edu.iq.
Abstract
Background
Non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) spp. are clinically relevant organisms found in humans and several animal hosts. Dogs and cats are natural hosts of multiple gastric and enterohepatic NHPH spp. and may represent potential sources of human exposure.Objective
This systematic review aimed to synthesize the clinical, epidemiological, and molecular evidence concerning human infections involving dog- and cat-associated NHPH spp. and to evaluate the evidence for a possible epidemiological association with companion animals.Methods
PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for studies published from 2000 through the final search on April 15, 2026. Eligible studies reported human infection with NHPH spp. involving H. heilmannii sensu stricto (s.s), H. felis, H. bizzozeronii, H. salomonis, or H. canis. The following information was extracted: study and patient characteristics, NHPH species, human samples, diagnostic techniques, molecular confirmation, immunological state, clinical results, and exposure to dogs and/or cats. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist appropriate for each study design.Results
Of 350 records identified, 51 studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence consisted predominantly of case reports. H. heilmannii-related organisms were the most frequently reported, followed by H. canis, H. felis, H. bizzozeronii, and H. salomonis. Gastric NHPH infections were predominantly associated with gastric disease, while H. canis was mainly associated with systemic and extragastric infections, especially in immunocompromised or clinically vulnerable patients. Molecular confirmation was reported in 66.7% of studies (34/51), with one additional study providing molecular confirmation for only 2 of 22 cases. Dog and/or cat exposure was documented in 41.2% of studies (21/51). Although several studies identified the same NHPH spp. in humans and companion animals, paired strain-level molecular evidence remained limited and was insufficient to establish the direction of transmission.Conclusion
Numerous gastrointestinal and systemic infections in humans have been linked to NHPH spp. found in dogs and cats. According to available data, dogs and cats may act as reservoirs or sources of human NHPH infection, given the recognized zoonotic potential of these pathogens. However, direct animal-to-human transmission and its direction have not been conclusively established. This is largely due to the limited availability of strain-level molecular comparisons and paired human-animal sampling. To clarify transmission routes and improve integrated One Health surveillance, consistent molecular identification and comparative genomic studies are therefore required.
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BibTeX
@article{algburi2026zoonotic,
title = {{Zoonotic Potential of Non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter Species Associated With Dogs and Cats in Human Infections: A Systematic Review.}},
author = {Nagham Mohammed Al-Gburi},
journal = {Veterinary medicine international},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/vmi/3012354},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928729},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Zoonotic Potential of Non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter Species Associated With Dogs and Cats in Human Infections: A Systematic Review.
AU - Nagham Mohammed Al-Gburi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Veterinary medicine international
DO - 10.1155/vmi/3012354
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928729
AB - Background Non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) spp. are clinically relevant organisms found in humans and several animal hosts. Dogs and cats are natural hosts of multiple gastric and enterohepatic NHPH spp. and may represent potential sources of human exposure.Objective This systematic review aimed to synthesize the clinical, epidemiological, and molecular evidence concerning human infections involving dog- and cat-associated NHPH spp. and to evaluate the evidence for a possible epidemiological association with companion animals.Methods PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for studies published from 2000 through the final search on April 15, 2026. Eligible studies reported human infection with NHPH spp. involving H. heilmannii sensu stricto (s.s), H. felis, H. bizzozeronii, H. salomonis, or H. canis. The following information was extracted: study and patient characteristics, NHPH species, human samples, diagnostic techniques, molecular confirmation, immunological state, clinical results, and exposure to dogs and/or cats. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist appropriate for each study design.Results Of 350 records identified, 51 studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence consisted predominantly of case reports. H. heilmannii-related organisms were the most frequently reported, followed by H. canis, H. felis, H. bizzozeronii, and H. salomonis. Gastric NHPH infections were predominantly associated with gastric disease, while H. canis was mainly associated with systemic and extragastric infections, especially in immunocompromised or clinically vulnerable patients. Molecular confirmation was reported in 66.7% of studies (34/51), with one additional study providing molecular confirmation for only 2 of 22 cases. Dog and/or cat exposure was documented in 41.2% of studies (21/51). Although several studies identified the same NHPH spp. in humans and companion animals, paired strain-level molecular evidence remained limited and was insufficient to establish the direction of transmission.Conclusion Numerous gastrointestinal and systemic infections in humans have been linked to NHPH spp. found in dogs and cats. According to available data, dogs and cats may act as reservoirs or sources of human NHPH infection, given the recognized zoonotic potential of these pathogens. However, direct animal-to-human transmission and its direction have not been conclusively established. This is largely due to the limited availability of strain-level molecular comparisons and paired human-animal sampling. To clarify transmission routes and improve integrated One Health surveillance, consistent molecular identification and comparative genomic studies are therefore required.
SN - 2090-8113
SN - 2042-0048
ER -