In contrast to humans, in whom Helicobacter pylori infection predominates, the investigation of pathogenicity of this organism in cats is complicated based on the fact that they can be colonized by a variety of Helicobacter spp. To improve our understanding of Helicobacter infection in cats and to determine whether they are reservoirs for H. pylori and sources of zoonotic transmission to humans, we selected this animal as an experimental model for gastric colonization by H. pylori. Sixteen stray cats underwent Helicobacter eradication treatment followed by three consecutive oral inoculations of a cocktail of human H. pylori isolates. Four out of sixteen inoculated cats became colonized by H. pylori as confirmed by genus- and species-specific PCR. In conclusion, human H. pylori isolates are able to colonize the stomach of cats. It seems that these animals can be used as an experimental model in the future investigations of H. pyloriinduced pathogenesis as well as evaluation of anti-H. pylori prevention and treatment regimens. Further experimental studies including additional animals are needed to identify the usefulness of the cat as an experimental model.

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