Helicobacter canis

Helicobacter canis is a gram negative bacterium in the Helicobacteraceae family, Campylobacterales order.^[1] It was first identified and isolated from dog feces, though sheep and cats may also be important reservoirs of the bacterium.^[2] Its type strain is NCTC 12739^T. It colonises the lower bowel, but is also present in cases of hepatitis.^[3] Besides infecting dogs, this bacterium is known to cause infections in immunocompromised humans.^[4][5]

Helicobacter canis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Kingdom:	Pseudomonadati
Phylum:	Campylobacterota
Class:	"Campylobacteria"
Order:	Campylobacterales
Family:	Helicobacteraceae
Genus:	Helicobacter
Species:	H. canis
Binomial name
Helicobacter canis Stanley et al., 1993

Description

Cells of H. canis are spiral, sometimes with truncated ends. Flagella are single and bipolar, as well as sheathed, a characteristic of genus Helicobacter, and connected to a basal plate at their insertion into the cell.^[1]

Epidemiology

H. canis infections have been identified globally in human and animal populations, including in Europe, South America, and Asia.^[6] The precise route of transmission is not well understood, though infections may spread through contact with saliva, vomit, and contaminated food or water.^[6] Other potential risks of indirect spread include exposure to domesticated dogs and cats.