What is the Difference Between Campylobacter and Helicobacter?

Campylobacter and Helicobacter are both Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacteria that are widely distributed in nature and can cause gastrointestinal infections in humans. However, there are some key differences between the two:

1. Shape and flagella: Campylobacter species are curved rods with a single polar flagellum, while Helicobacter species are helical rods with multiple flagella.
2. Diseases caused: Campylobacter species, such as Campylobacter jejuni, are the most common bacterial causes of acute diarrheal illnesses in developed countries, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. On the other hand, Helicobacter species, such as Helicobacter pylori, are associated with chronic superficial gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma, and lymphoma, causing chronic gastric infections.
3. Pathogenesis: Campylobacter species cause acute gastroenteritis, while Helicobacter species cause chronic superficial gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma, and lymphoma.

In summary, Campylobacter and Helicobacter are both Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infections in humans. However, they differ in their shape, flagella, and the diseases they cause, with Campylobacter causing acute gastroenteritis and Helicobacter causing chronic gastric infections.

Comparative Table: Campylobacter vs Helicobacter

Campylobacter and Helicobacter are both Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infections. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Both Campylobacter and Helicobacter species are motile and have flagella, but Campylobacter species have a single polar flagellum, while Helicobacter species have multiple polar sheathed flagellae. Campylobacter species cause acute gastroenteritis with diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting, whereas Helicobacter species cause chronic superficial gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma, and lymphoma, vomiting, and upper gastrointestinal pain.