Isolation of Helicobacter strains from wild bird and swine feces

Abstract

We report the first isolations of Helicobacter strains from wild birds and swine. Genus-specific oligonucleotide probes identified nine Cape Cod isolates from gull, tern, house sparrow, and pig feces as Helicobacter spp. and not Campylobacter spp. Antibiotic sensitivity and urease tests distinguished three phenotypes. Strains examined rapidly lost culturability under simulated natural conditions.