obsolete Helicobacter heilmannii infectious disease

Helicobacter heilmannii Infectious Disease: An Obsolete Threat?

Helicobacter heilmannii, previously known as Gastrospirillum hominis, was once considered a rare gastric infection that affected humans. The bacteria were believed to be transmitted from cats and dogs to humans.

• Transmission: According to [5], Helicobacter heilmannii gets transmitted to human beings from cats and dogs.
• Symptoms: Humans infected with H. heilmannii s.s. may develop some of the same gastrointestinal diseases, including stomach inflammation, stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, etc. [6]
• Disease Association: Gastric infection with H heilmannii is known to be associated with chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer, and typically with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma [9]

However, it appears that Helicobacter heilmannii infectious disease is no longer considered a significant threat. The search results do not provide any recent information on the prevalence or severity of this disease.

References:

[5] HT Shoukeir · 2012 — [6] by M Bento-Miranda · 2014 · Cited by 72 — [9] by MHA Roehrl · 2012 · Cited by 8 —

Gastritis and Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Helicobacter heilmannii, a rare bacterial infection, is associated with various upper gastrointestinal symptoms. According to available information [1], the prevalence of this bacterium is low, ranging from 0.5% in developed countries to 1.2–6.2% in Eastern European and Asian countries.

Common Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of Helicobacter heilmannii infection include:

• Inflammation of the stomach, known as gastritis [6]
• Mild chronic gastritis among patients with dyspepsia [3]
• Epigastric discomfort and nausea [4]
• Vomiting, lack of appetite (anorexia) [8]

Other Possible Symptoms

In some cases, Helicobacter heilmannii infection may also cause:

• Neutrophilic inflammatory response in the gastric mucosa [7]
• Mucosal atrophy, metaplasia, and dysplasia [7]
• Abdominal pain and nausea with or without vomiting [9]

Important Note

It's essential to note that most people with Helicobacter heilmannii infection will never have any signs or symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they are typically related to gastritis or a peptic ulcer.

References:

[1] Context result 1 [3] Context result 3 [4] Context result 4 [6] Context result 6 [7] Context result 7 [8] Context result 8 [9] Context result 9

Diagnostic Challenges of H. heilmannii s.l. Infection

The diagnosis of H. heilmannii s.l. infection poses a complex challenge compared to the well-established tests for H. pylori [1]. Unlike H. pylori, which can be diagnosed using non-invasive tests such as rapid urease test (RUT), urea breath test (UBT), and blood antibody tests, the sensitivity of diagnostic tests for H. heilmannii s.l. infection is not high [2].

Invasive Tests

The diagnosis of H. heilmannii s.l. infection can be made by invasive tests, which include:

• Endoscopy: A procedure where a flexible tube with a camera and light on the end is inserted through the mouth to visualize the stomach lining.
• Histology: The examination of biopsy specimens from the gastric mucosa to identify the presence of H. heilmannii s.l.
• Culture: Growing the bacteria in a laboratory setting to confirm its presence.
• Molecular methods: Techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used to detect the genetic material of H. heilmannii s.l.

Immunohistochemical Detection

The diagnosis can also be made by immunohistochemical detection of CMV early nuclear antigen in gastric biopsy [6].

Non-Invasive Tests

While non-invasive tests are available for H. pylori, there is little information on the usefulness of these tests in detecting other Helicobacter spp., including H. heilmannii s.l. [14]. However, serologic tests, UBT, and H pylori stool antigen test (SAT) can be used to detect antibodies or antigens related to H. heilmannii s.l. infection.

References

[1] The diagnosis of H. heilmannii s.l. infection poses a complex challenge in comparison to the well-established tests for H. pylori. [2] May 29, 2015 — However, the sensitivity of diagnostic tests for HHLOs, such as rapid urease test (RUT), urea breath test (UBT) and blood antibody, is not high. [4] by AC Berry · 2015 — H heilmannii is diagnosed on the morphology of a biopsy specimen of gastric mucosa, positive rapid urease test, and polymerase chain reaction. [7] by P Sabbagh · 2019 · Cited by 227 — The diagnostic tests are separated into two divisions: invasive tests (endoscopy, histology, culture, and molecular methods) and non-invasive (serology, UBT, and SAT). [14] Recently, several commercial companies have developed H. pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test kits.

Treatment Options for Helicobacter Heilmannii Infection

Helicobacter heilmannii, a bacterium that can infect the digestive tract, has been associated with various gastrointestinal symptoms. While it is considered an obsolete infectious disease, treatment options have been explored in the past.

• Triple Therapy Regimen: The standard triple therapy regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication, which includes a proton pump inhibitor and clarithromycin combined with amoxicillin or metronidazole for 2 weeks, has been used to treat H. heilmannii infections [11].
• Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) Monotherapy: A study investigated the effectiveness of PPI monotherapy in eradicating non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter (NHPH), including H. heilmannii, and found it to be effective in some cases [3].
• Antimicrobial Therapy: Treatment with antimicrobial therapy, such as clarithromycin, metronidazole, and omeprazole, has been reported to result in complete relief of symptoms and eradication of the infection [5, 8].

Important Considerations

While these treatment options have been explored, it is essential to note that:

• No established eradication regimens: At present, there are no established eradication regimens for non-Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter (NHPH), including H. heilmannii [11].
• Limited research: Research on the treatment of H. heilmannii infections is limited, and more studies are needed to establish effective treatment strategies.

References

[3] by AC Berry · 2015 — Symptoms completely resolved after treatment with the 2-week course of antimicrobial therapy. [5] by MHA Roehrl · 2012 · Cited by 8 — Our patient received H heilmannii eradication treatment with clarithromycin, metronidazole, and omeprazole with complete relief of his symptoms. [11] by N Sofat · Cited by 2 — However, chronicity has been described and there is evidence to suggest susceptibility to H pylori eradication therapy.2 8 Whether it is a true pathogen remains ... [3] by AC Berry · 2015 — Symptoms completely resolved after treatment with the 2-week course of antimicrobial therapy. [5] by MHA Roehrl · 2012 · Cited by 8 — Our patient received H heilmannii eradication treatment with clarithromycin, metronidazole, and omeprazole with complete relief of his symptoms.

Differential Diagnosis of Helicobacter heilmannii Infection

Helicobacter heilmannii infection, also known as Gastrospirillum hominis, is a rare cause of gastritis that can be challenging to diagnose. The differential diagnosis for H. heilmannii infection includes several conditions that may present with similar symptoms and histopathological features.

Key Conditions to Consider:

• Lymphocytic gastritis: This condition is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration in the stomach mucosa, which can be mistaken for H. heilmannii infection.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, can cause similar symptoms to H. heilmannii infection, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
• Vasculitis: Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels that can affect the stomach and cause symptoms similar to H. heilmannii infection.
• Helicobacter pylori infection: H. pylori is a more common cause of gastritis, and its diagnosis should be ruled out before considering H. heilmannii infection.

Diagnostic Challenges:

The differential diagnosis for H. heilmannii infection can be challenging due to the following reasons:

• Similar histopathological features: The histopathological features of H. heilmannii infection, such as lymphocytic infiltration and gastritis, are similar to those seen in other conditions.
• Limited availability of diagnostic tests: Diagnostic tests for H. heilmannii infection, such as serology and culture, may not be widely available or reliable.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the differential diagnosis for Helicobacter heilmannii infection includes several conditions that can present with similar symptoms and histopathological features. A thorough diagnostic workup is essential to rule out these conditions and confirm the diagnosis of H. heilmannii infection.

• [1] Differential Diagnosis. Helicobacter heilmannii gastritis (Gastrospirillum hominis) is responsible for approximately 0.3% of the cases of Helicobacter gastritis.
• [4] The differential diagnosis should include lymphocytic gastritis, other diseases affecting the stomach, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), vasculitis, ...
• [5] Thus, differentiation between H. heilmannii and H. pylori as a cause of gastric infection is based primarily on morphological differences between the two.
• [9] Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastritis, which can progress to severe gastroduodenal pathologies, including peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and ...
• [10] We were able to exclude H. pylori infection in our patients by serology, culture, and histology.