F. Cantet et al., Helicobacter species colonizing pig stomach: Molecular characterization and determination of prevalence, APPL ENVIR, 65(10), 1999, pp. 4672-4676
The infection rate of 60 pigs (10 pigs from each of six farms) by Helicobac
ter species was studied by two techniques. Histological examination of the
cardiac area of the stomach yielded a 58% positive result versus an 80% pos
itive result by PCR with genus-specific primers. Eighty percent of the 16S
rRNA gene was amplified, classified in four groups by PCR-restriction fragm
ent length polymorphism, and sequenced. Isolates from all farms except one
(farm C) were identified as Helicobacter heilmannii type 1, while those fro
m farm C were identified as H. heilmannii type 2. Attempts to culture this
organism in vitro failed. Helicobacter pylori was not found in these animal
s.