Histopathological changes in the abomasa of fallow deer from the Brijuni islands in Croatia - a short communication.

This study was performed to establish histopathological changes in the abomasa of fallow deer (Dama dama) from the Brijuni islands, in order to investigate the possible presence of Helicobacter species in this species, since literature data on abomasal histopathology are scarce, and data on the presence of Helicobacter species in red deer are absent. The study was performed on 23 abomasal samples taken from young adults (c. 1 year of age) shot in legal hunts. In all the samples inflammatory changes were visible. The histopathological findings from the samples examined were similar, indicating the epizootical nature of the disease, and they were similar to findings described in dogs with a gastric infection from Helicobacter-like organisms. However, in the abomasa of fallow deer Helicobacter organisms were not detected after the appropriate stains were applied, therefore the aetiological factor responsible for such histopathological changes has yet to be identified.