- Helicobacter heilmannii, previously known as Gastrospirillum hominis, is a Gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium that belongs to the Helicobacter genus.
- Unlike Helicobacter pylori, which is highly adapted to humans, Helicobacter heilmannii is primarily an animal-associated bacterium that occasionally infects humans.
- Helicobacter heilmannii was first identified in the late 1980s and early 1990s, during a period of increased interest in non-pylori Helicobacter species. It is named after the German pathologist Konrad Heilmann, who contributed to its identification.
- It is commonly found in the stomachs of domestic animals, particularly dogs and cats, where it colonizes the gastric mucosa. While it primarily infects animals, Helicobacter heilmannii can occasionally infect humans, often through close contact with pets or contaminated food and water. Human infections are rare but have been associated with gastric diseases similar to those caused by Helicobacter pylori.
- Helicobacter heilmannii thrives in the gastric environment, where it colonizes the mucous layer and the luminal surface of the gastric epithelium. Like other Helicobacter species, it produces urease, an enzyme that neutralizes stomach acid by converting urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. This ability to modulate its microenvironment allows it to survive in the harsh acidic conditions of the stomach. Its spiral shape and flagella enable it to move through the viscous mucous layer and adhere to the gastric epithelium, facilitating colonization.
- In its natural animal hosts, Helicobacter heilmannii infections are often asymptomatic, but they can lead to chronic gastritis and, in some cases, more severe gastrointestinal diseases. In humans, Helicobacter heilmannii infections are rare but have been associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and, in some cases, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The bacterium’s ability to induce chronic inflammation and tissue damage in both animals and humans has made it a subject of interest in understanding Helicobacter-associated diseases.
- The exact mode of transmission of Helicobacter heilmannii is not fully understood, but it is believed to spread through fecal-oral or oral-oral routes, similar to other Helicobacter species. Close contact with infected animals, particularly pets like dogs and cats, is thought to be a primary route of transmission to humans. The prevalence of Helicobacter heilmannii in humans is low, accounting for less than 1% of all Helicobacter infections, but its zoonotic potential highlights the importance of understanding its transmission dynamics.
- Helicobacter heilmannii has garnered attention due to its zoonotic potential and its ability to cause gastric diseases in humans. While it is less studied than Helicobacter pylori, research on Helicobacter heilmannii has provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis of Helicobacter-associated diseases. Its role in causing chronic gastritis and MALT lymphoma in humans has underscored the importance of considering non-pylori Helicobacter species in clinical diagnostics and treatment. Additionally, studies on Helicobacter heilmannii have contributed to our understanding of the interactions between Helicobacter species and their hosts, as well as the mechanisms of gastric inflammation and carcinogenesis.
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