| Description | Helicobacter macacae is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped microbe that thrives in mesophilic temperatures, categorized as a chemoheterotroph, and can be found in various body sites, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and lymphoid tissues, of non-human primates such as macaques, as well as potentially in other species, and is a microaerophile. The gram-negative characteristic indicates that the microbe's cell wall contains a thin peptidoglycan layer, which is typically associated with a higher resistance to antibiotics. The spiral shape of H. macacae allows it to penetrate the mucous lining of the gastrointestinal tract, facilitating its colonization and potential pathogenesis. As a chemoheterotroph, H. macacae relies on organic compounds for energy and carbon, which it obtains from its host or environment. Its presence in various body sites suggests a potential for systemic infection, although its primary niche is the gastrointestinal tract. The microaerophilic nature of H. macacae means it requires a low-oxygen environment to grow, which is consistent with its habitat in the mucous-lined tissues of its host. The mesophilic temperature preference of H. macacae indicates that it thrives in moderate temperatures, typically between 20-45°C, which is consistent with the body temperature of its non-human primate hosts. The ability of H. macacae to colonize various body sites, including the liver and lymphoid tissues, suggests a potential for systemic disease, although its pathogenicity is not fully understood. H. macacae has been isolated from macaques with gastrointestinal disease, suggesting a potential link between the microbe and disease in non-human primates. The study of H. macacae has implications for the understanding of gastrointestinal disease in non-human primates and potentially in humans, as Helicobacter species are known to cause disease in humans, such as Helicobacter pylori, which is associated with gastric ulcers and cancer. |
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