- Helicobacter gastricaete is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus).
- First isolated and characterized in Sweden in 2020, this species represents an important addition to the growing list of non-H. pylori helicobacters associated with animal hosts.
- Its discovery emerged from investigations into gastric microbial communities in swine, where it was distinguished from the closely related H. suis through comprehensive genomic and phenotypic analyses.
- The bacterium exhibits typical morphological features of the Helicobacter genus, including a spiral shape and multiple sheathed flagella that confer the characteristic corkscrew motility essential for navigating the viscous gastric environment.
- Biochemically, H. gastricaete is urease-positive, a trait shared with other gastric helicobacters that enables survival in acidic conditions by hydrolyzing urea to produce ammonia.
- While its precise role in porcine gastric disease remains under investigation, its presence in the stomach lining suggests potential involvement in inflammatory conditions or ulcerogenesis, analogous to H. pylori in humans.
- Genomic studies place H. gastricaete in a distinct phylogenetic clade separate from H. suis, with unique molecular markers that justified its classification as a novel species.
- The type strain, H. gastricaete SVA12T (deposited as CCUG 72850T and LMG 31000T), serves as the reference for further research.
- Current data indicate no evidence of zoonotic transmission, though this requires confirmation through broader surveillance.
- Future studies aim to clarify its prevalence in pig populations, pathogenic mechanisms, and potential impacts on swine health and food safety.
1 thought on “Helicobacter gastricaete”