| Description | Helicobacter felis is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium that thrives in a temperature range of 25-37°C, falling under the category of thermophilic microorganisms. This microbe is a heterotroph, meaning it obtains its energy by breaking down organic compounds, and its primary energy production occurs through oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, it is an obligate aerobe, requiring the presence of oxygen for growth and survival. H. felis is typically found in the oral cavity of animals, including cats, dogs, and humans, and can also inhabit the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Its spiral shape allows it to adhere to surfaces and colonize mucosal epithelial cells, where it can cause infections and disease. The Gram stain of H. felis is negative, indicating that the bacterial cell wall contains a low amount of peptidoglycan, a key component of the Gram stain reaction. Its spiral shape is a characteristic feature of the genus Helicobacter, which is distinct from other bacteria such as Escherichia coli, which is typically rod-shaped. In the wild, H. felis is capable of producing ammonia through the breakdown of urea, which is a natural byproduct of its metabolism. This ability to produce ammonia is thought to contribute to its ability to colonize and persist in the oral cavity, where it can thrive in a nutrient-rich environment. Finally, H. felis has been implicated as a potential pathogen in human infections, particularly in cases of otitis media (middle ear infection) and tonsillitis. Its ability to colonize the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract makes it a particularly important microbe in the study of human disease and the development of effective therapeutic strategies. |
|---|
