Associations with adult ulcerative colitis and biliary/hepatic disease have been described. New insights into the immune response and subsequent pathogenesis associated with infection have also been AZD8055 nmr published. Genomic advances include description of new and unique species and the complete genome description for both Helicobacter felis and Helicobacter suis. Molecular studies have also elucidated the mechanism of action of some functional components of these organisms. Helicobacter species have now been detected in 142 vertebrate species, including animals from every continent and all four nonfish vertebrate taxonomic

classes [1]. Helicobacter colonization has been confirmed for the first time in pancake tortoise, Atlantic spotted dolphins, and brushtail possums along with the more traditional hosts whose repertoire of associated Helicobacter species has been expanded. The Helicobacteraceae family has also been expanded through the description

of Helicobacter magdeburgensis. Stacy and Wellehan [2] reported the identification of a potentially new Helicobacter species in a pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri) diagnosed with septicemia. Spiral-shaped organisms were detected in pathological lesions with partial 16S rDNA sequencing, indicating these were novel Helicobacter. Helicobacter cetorum in stomach and duodenal ampulla in Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) was detected Autophagy inhibitor order using histology and molecular analyses [3]. Novel Helicobacter organisms were also identified in the gastrointestinal tract of brushtail possums [4]. A study performed with Italian beagle dogs described the colocalization of Helicobacter felis and Helicobacter bizzozeronii selleck chemical in the fundic mucosa of the stomach. H. bizzozeronii was found in the superficial and the basal portions of the fundic glands, whereas

H. felis was only detected in the superficial portions of the glands. Helicobacters were also located free in the cytoplasm or within lysosomes of parietal cells. Additionally, intracytoplasmic Helicobacters were observed in macrophages in the lamina propria [5]. Another study investigated the spatial distribution of Helicobacter species in the GI tract and hepatobiliary system of cats. PCR-based analyses were used to compare Helicobacter spp. presence in fresh and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Helicobacter spp. DNA was detectable in the pancreas, liver, stomach, and duodenum in fresh tissue samples but only in the stomach in FFPE samples. Probably, the most exciting aspect of the study was the detection of Helicobacter spp. DNA in the pancreas, raising the question of how Helicobacter gained access to this organ that traditionally is considered to be sterile [6].