The bacterium that could cause cancer

Abstract

Biopsy specimens were taken from intact areas of antral mucosa in 100 consenting consecutive patients presenting for gastroscopy at the Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia. Spiral or curved bacilli were found in biopsy specimens from 58 patients. The bacteria were usually found in close contact with the mucosa, often in grooves between cells, within acinus-like infoldings of the epithelium, or within the mucosal pits. Gram-negative, flagellate, microaerophilic bacilli cultured from 11 biopsy specimens seemed to be a new species related to the genus campylobacter. The bacteria were sensitive to tetracycline, erythromycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, and penicillin,and were resistant to nalidixic acid. The bacteria were present in almost all patients with active chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer, or gastric ulcer. Therefore, they might be an important causal factor in these diseases