ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the ultrastructural features only of the gastric helicobacters in order to learn more about those features which may be important in the induction of gastroduodenal disease. It highlights differences between the species and structural features likely to be of special importance in the colonization of the gastric mucosa and in the induction of gastroduodenal disease. Helicobacter pylori is a major new human pathogen, so ultrastructural features that may be involved in the pathogenesis of disease are important for the design of novel intervention strategies. Bacteria with a similar morphology and ultrastructure have been reported in cats, dogs, non-human primates, cheetahs, and pigs. As a new group of bacteria is studied there is a need to accumulate as much basic information about their normal physiology and ultrastructure as possible. Spiral bacteria are helical so that the rotation of the cell body also contributes to the generation of translational motion.
