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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Mouse Models Of Helicobacter Infection And Gastric Pathologies
Published on: October 18, 2018
Enterohepatic helicobacter in ulcerative colitis: potential pathogenic entities?
John M Thomson1, Richard Hansen, Susan H Berry
1Gastrointestinal Research Group, Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
Novel Helicobacter species are more prevalent in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. This study developed molecular methods to detect these bacteria, suggesting Helicobacter may play a role in UC pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) pathogenesis is linked to gut dysbiosis.
- The role of novel Helicobacter species in human UC remains debated and under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a molecular approach for detecting Helicobacter organisms in adults with and without UC.
Main Methods:
- Developed a dual molecular detection strategy using genus-specific Helicobacter probes and validated H. pylori probes.
- Utilized PCR and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) on colonic samples from UC patients and non-IBD controls.
- Sequenced positive PCR samples and statistically analyzed the association between Helicobacter and study groups.
Main Results:
- Helicobacter genus PCR positivity was significantly higher in UC patients (32/77) compared to controls (11/59).
- Enterohepatic Helicobacter species prevalence was significantly higher in the UC group (30/77) versus controls (2/59).
- PCR and FISH showed concordance in 67.9% of subjects, with FISH yielding higher positivity rates.
Conclusions:
- Helicobacter organisms should be considered potential contributors to UC pathogenesis.
- Further isolation of these organisms from colonic tissue is necessary to confirm pathogenicity.
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