[Helicobacter heilmannii in the pathology of the stomach and duodenum]

Historical aspects of the discovery of the spiral-like non-spirochetal bacteria belonging to Helicobacter and called helicobacter heilmannii (Hh)--previous name Gastrospirillum hominis--and producing under some conditions, like Helicobacter pylori, analogous gastroduodenal pathology (chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, MALT-lymphoma and stomach cancer) are presented. Microbiological and structural features of this agent are considered as well as its relations with an apical surface of epitheliocytes, difficulties in diagnosis and methods of optimization of the bacteria detection in the biopsy material. The data on a wide spread of Hh in many representatives of the animals and a proven information about transmission of this infection from domestic animals (dogs and cats) to humans are available. The causes of a weak resistance of these bacteria to standard eradication schemes are analysed.