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Tegtmeyer, N.; Traverso, F.R.; Rohde, M.; Oyarzabal, O.A.; Lehn, N.; Schneider-Brachert, W.; Ferrero, R.L.; Fox, J.G.; Berg, D.E.; Backert, S.
Electron microscopic, genetic and protein expression analyses of _Helicobacter acinonychis_ strains from a Bengal tiger
2013  PLoS ONE (8): 1-14

Colonization by _Helicobacter_ species is commonly noted in many mammals. These infections often remain unrecognized, but can cause severe health complications or more subtle host immune perturbations. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize putative novel _Helicobacter_ spp. from Bengal tigers in Thailand. Morphological investigation (Gram-staining and electron microscopy) and genetic studies (16SrRNA, 23SrRNA, flagellin, urease and prophage gene analyses, RAPD DNA fingerprinting and restriction fragment polymorphisms) as well as Western blotting were used to characterize the isolated _Helicobacters_. Electron microscopy revealed spiral-shaped bacteria, which varied in length (2.5-6 mm) and contained up to four monopolar sheathed flagella. The 16SrRNA, 23SrRNA, sequencing and protein expression analyses identified novel _H. acinonychis_ isolates closely related to _H. pylori_. These Asian isolates are genetically very similar to _H. acinonychis_ strains of other big cats (cheetahs, lions, lion-tiger hybrid and other tigers) from North America and Europe, which is remarkable in the context of the great genetic diversity among worldwide _H. pylori_ strains. We also found by immunoblotting that the Bengal tiger isolates express UreaseA/B, flagellin, BabA adhesin, neutrophil-activating protein NapA, HtrA protease, c-glutamyltranspeptidase GGT, Slt lytic transglycosylase and two DNA transfer relaxase orthologs that were known from _H. pylori_, but not the cag pathogenicity island, nor CagA, VacA, SabA, DupA or OipA proteins. These results give fresh insights into _H. acinonychis_ genetics and the expression of potential pathogenicity-associated factors and their possible pathophysiological relevance in related gastric infections.

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