Gastric Spiral Bacilli in Captive Cheetahs

Abstract
Eaton KA, Radin MJ, Kramer L, Wack R, Sherding R, Krakowka S, Morgan DR. Gastric spiral bacilli in captive cheetahs. Scand J Gastroenterol 1991, 26 (suppl 181), 38–42 Two kinds of gastric spiral bacilli were identified in the stomachs of captive cheetahs with naturally occurring gastritis. One type was morphologically similar to ‘Gastrocchominis’. This organism could not be cultured in vitro. Some of these bacteria had superficial helical filaments, and others did not. The other type was morphologically, bio chemically. and bacteriologic ally similar to Helicobacter pylori. This organism is most likely a new species of Helicobacter. One or both of these bacteria may have been responsible for the gastritis seen in these cheetahs.