Helicobacter pylori

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Classification

Higher order taxa

Domain: Bacteria ; Phylum: Proteobacteria; Class: Epsilon Proteobacteria; Order: Campylobacterales; Family: Helicobacteraceae [Others may be used. Use Tree of Life link to find]

Species

Helicobacter pylori

Description and significance

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that infects the stomach. It can cause damage to stomach and duodenal tissue, which causes ulcers, gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa of the stomach), and in some cases cancer. Robin Warren and Barry Marshall discovered the bacterium in 1982 and they were the first to culture it successfully. They purposed that it was H. pylori that caused stomach ulcers but this was not recognized at that time because people debated over whether the stomach environment would allow bacteria to survive. To prove their point, Marshall drank a Petri dish of H. pylori and he developed gastritis. The bacteria was isolated from the lining of his stomach and this proved three out of four of Koch’s postulates (which establish the relationship between a microbe and a disease). Further investigations went on to determine the relationship between H. pylori and ulcers and numerous studies around the world confirmed this. The National Institute of Health confirmed that gastric ulcers are caused by H. Pylori in 1994.

Genome structure

Helicobacter pylori contains one circular chromosome that carries 1,667,867 base pairs. It has about 1590 coding regions. The genome has been sequenced and it is being studied and compared to find out more about its lifestyle and pathogenicity.

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.