Helicobacter

Helicobacter /He·li·co·bac·ter/ (hel″ĭ-ko-bak´ter) a genus of gram-negative, microaerophilic bacteria of the family Spirillaceae; H. cinae´di causes proctitis and colitis in homosexual men and has been implicated in septicemia in neonates and immunocompromised patients; H. pylo´ri causes gastritis and pyloric ulcers and has been implicated in gastric carcinogenesis.

---

Helicobacter

[hel′ikōbak′tər]

Etymology: Gk, helix coil + bakterion, small staff

a genus of gram-negative, rod-shaped, microaerophilic bacteria of the family Spirillaceae, consisting of motile, spiral organisms with multiple sheathed flagella; formerly classified in the genus Campylobacter. The bacteria are found in the gastric mucosal layer; many people are infected without showing any symptoms. <i>H. pylori> is the causative agent of stomach ulcers, gastritis, and duodenitis. It causes 90% of duodenal ulcers and 80% of gastric ulcers. Infection significantly increases the risk of developing gastric cancer or mucosal-associated-lymphoid type lymphoma. Antibiotics can eliminate infection and ulcer.

---

Helicobacter

microaerophilic, curved to spiral-shaped, gram-negative bacteria associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in humans. The type species is H. pylori. It may also be involved in the etiology of gastric neoplasia.

---

Helicobacter acinonys, Helicobacter canis, Helicobacter felis, Helicobacter heilmannii, Helicobacter mustelae

isolates from the stomach of cheetahs, dogs, cats, dogs and ferrets, respectively. It is likely that they may be responsible for gastric disease in these species.

Helicobacter bilis

associated with multifocal hepatitis in mice.

Helicobacter hepaticus

causes focal hepatic necrosis and focal, subacute, non-suppurative hepatitis, progressing to chronic hepatitis with bile duct hyperplasia and hepatocellular tumors in mice.