Helicobacter heilmannii
Amitabh Srivastava, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
Former designation Gastrospirillum hominis
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Infection may be acquired from contact with domestic pets (dogs, cats) and cattle
Clinical Issues
0.25-1.1% of gastric biopsies
Patients present with epigastric pain or dyspepsia
Antibiotic therapy may lead to resolution of symptoms
Microscopic Pathology
Mild chronic active gastritis usually confined to antrum
Long, tightly coiled organisms with corkscrew appearance
 Hematoxylin & eosin shows the involvement of gastric antral mucosa by Helicobacter heilmannii gastritis. The degree of lymphoplasmacytic inflammation is usually mild. Lymphoid aggregates  may be present. |
 Neutrophilic infiltration is not prominent in H. heilmannii gastritis. Scattered apoptotic bodies  may be present. |
TERMINOLOGY
Synonyms
Former designation Gastrospirillum hominis
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Environmental Exposure
Infection may be acquired from
Farm animals and household pets
Pigs, cattle, dogs, cats
Nonhuman primates
Infectious Agents
Helicobacter heilmannii
Gram-negative rod
5-9 µm in size
Tightly coiled corkscrew appearance is characteristic
CLINICAL ISSUES
Epidemiology
