Helicobacter ailurogastricus

General Information

Helicobacter ailurogastricus is a fascinating microorganism primarily due to its unique ecological niche and potential implications for both veterinary and medical research. This bacterium was first isolated from the stomachs of domestic cats, which is reflected in its name, with 'ailuro' referring to cats. One of the most intriguing aspects of H. ailurogastricus is its adaptation to the gastric environment of felines, which is characterized by high acidity and the presence of digestive enzymes. This adaptation suggests that the bacterium has specialized mechanisms for surviving and thriving in such a harsh environment, making it a subject of interest for studies on microbial resilience and gastric colonization. Moreover, H. ailurogastricus is part of the larger Helicobacter genus, which includes several species known to be pathogenic in humans, such as Helicobacter pylori. This connection raises questions about the zoonotic potential of H. ailurogastricus and whether it could play a role in cross-species transmission of gastric diseases. Understanding the genetic and physiological traits that allow H. ailurogastricus to colonize feline stomachs could provide insights into the evolution and adaptation of Helicobacter species in general. From a research perspective, H. ailurogastricus offers a valuable model for studying host-microbe interactions in the gastrointestinal tract. Its presence in domestic cats, which are common pets, also makes it relevant for veterinary science, particularly in understanding and managing feline gastric health. The study of H. ailurogastricus could lead to the development of new diagnostic tools or treatments for gastric conditions in both animals and potentially humans. In summary, Helicobacter ailurogastricus is a noteworthy microorganism due to its specialized adaptation to the feline gastric environment, its potential zoonotic implications, and its value as a model organism for broader scientific inquiries into gastric microbiology and host-pathogen interactions.

Helicobacter ailurogastricus is a fascinating bacterium primarily known for its association with the gastrointestinal tract of cats. This organism is particularly interesting due to its unique adaptation to the acidic environment of the stomach, which allows it to thrive in a niche that many other bacteria cannot. Its ability to colonize the gastric mucosa of felines provides insights into host-pathogen interactions and the evolution of gastric microbiota. One of the most notable aspects of H. ailurogastricus is its genetic similarity to Helicobacter pylori, the well-known pathogen in humans that is linked to gastric ulcers and cancer. This relationship makes H. ailurogastricus a valuable model for studying the pathogenic mechanisms of H. pylori and the potential for cross-species transmission of gastric diseases. Additionally, research on H. ailurogastricus contributes to our understanding of the role of the microbiome in health and disease. Its presence in the feline gut microbiome raises questions about the impact of diet, environment, and host genetics on microbial diversity and function. Studying this organism can help elucidate the complex interactions between host animals and their microbial inhabitants, which is crucial for developing strategies to manage gastrointestinal diseases in pets. Furthermore, the unique metabolic pathways and enzymatic activities of H. ailurogastricus present opportunities for biotechnological applications, particularly in the fields of veterinary medicine and microbiome research. Overall, Helicobacter ailurogastricus serves as a significant organism for understanding both basic microbiological principles and applied health sciences.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Campylobacterota

Class: Epsilonproteobacteria

Order: Campylobacterales

Family: Helicobacteraceae

Genus: Helicobacter

Species: Helicobacter ailurogastricus

NCBI ID

1578720

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/001/282/945/GCF_001282945.1_gastric_feline_helicobacters

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_001282945.1_gastric_feline_helicobacters_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The organism Helicobacter ailurogastricus is a lesser-known member of the Helicobacter genus, primarily associated with feline hosts. However, its clinical implications in human health are of interest due to its potential zoonotic transmission. While not as extensively studied as Helicobacter pylori, H. ailurogastricus has been implicated in gastrointestinal infections in humans, particularly in individuals with close contact with infected cats. Clinical relevance includes its potential role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, although definitive links to these conditions remain to be fully established. One of the significant concerns regarding H. ailurogastricus is its potential for antimicrobial resistance. Like other Helicobacter species, it may exhibit resistance to common antibiotics, complicating treatment options for infections. This resistance can be attributed to various mechanisms, including the production of beta-lactamases and alterations in target sites, which are critical for effective therapy. In terms of immune evasion, H. ailurogastricus may employ strategies similar to those of H. pylori, such as altering surface antigens and secreting factors that modulate the host's immune response. This ability to evade detection and destruction by the immune system can lead to chronic infections and associated complications. While there are no widely recognized medical applications of H. ailurogastricus in terms of probiotics or vaccines, its study contributes to the broader understanding of Helicobacter species and their interactions with the human microbiome. Further research is needed to clarify its pathogenic potential and the implications for human health, particularly in populations with high exposure to domestic cats.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Helicobacter ailurogastricus is a bacterium primarily associated with the gastrointestinal tract of domestic cats, particularly in the stomach and duodenum. This organism thrives in the acidic environment of the feline stomach, where it plays a significant role in the microbial community. Its presence is often linked to various gastrointestinal conditions, including gastritis and peptic ulcers, highlighting its impact on feline health and the overall microbiome of the host. In terms of ecological niches, Helicobacter ailurogastricus is adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the stomach, utilizing its unique metabolic pathways to withstand low pH levels. This adaptation allows it to colonize the gastric mucosa, where it can interact with the host's immune system and other microbial inhabitants. The bacterium is also known to engage in symbiotic relationships with its host, potentially influencing nutrient absorption and immune responses. However, its pathogenic potential can lead to dysbiosis, disrupting the balance of the gut microbiome and contributing to disease. Overall, Helicobacter ailurogastricus exemplifies the complex interactions within the gastrointestinal biome of cats, showcasing both its ecological role and its implications for host health.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Helicobacter ailurogastricus has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This bacterium is known for its unique ability to colonize the gastric environment of cats, which has led to research into its role in fermentation processes that could be harnessed for the production of specific metabolites. In the realm of biotechnology, Helicobacter ailurogastricus may contribute to the development of novel probiotics aimed at improving gut health in both animals and humans. Its enzymatic activities could be explored for the production of enzymes that facilitate the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, enhancing the efficiency of fermentation processes in food production. Moreover, the study of this microorganism's interactions with its host could lead to advancements in waste management strategies, particularly in the biodegradation of organic waste in animal husbandry. By understanding its metabolic pathways, researchers may develop methods to utilize Helicobacter ailurogastricus in biodegradation processes that convert waste into valuable byproducts. In pharmaceutical development, the unique properties of Helicobacter ailurogastricus could be leveraged to create targeted therapies for gastrointestinal diseases, as its presence in the gut may influence the overall microbial balance. This could lead to the formulation of new drugs or treatments that utilize the bacterium's natural properties to promote health. Overall, while research on Helicobacter ailurogastricus is still emerging, its potential applications in biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development highlight its significance in various industrial sectors.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 9

LLM predicted phenotypes: 4

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	google/gemini-pro	google/gemini-flash-1.5	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	openchat/openchat-7b	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct
Motility	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Gram staining	gram stain negative	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓
Aerophilicity	aerobic	anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	aerotolerant ✗	N/A	N/A	aerotolerant ✗	aerotolerant ✗	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	N/A	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗
Biosafety level	biosafety level 2	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false
Host association	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	N/A	gamma	gamma	N/A	beta	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	spirillum	spirillum ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	coccus ✗	spirillum ✓	coccus ✗	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓	spirillum ✓

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