An increasing number of studies support a potential role for coccoid forms in Helicobacter pylori infection. Evidence for this was obtained through scanning microscopy, genetic analysis for virulence traits, examination of the presence and activity of key enzymes, and other methods. We studied the serum immunoglobulin G responses to coccoid H. pylori forms by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (...

Background: A few reports confirm the ability of Helicobacter pylori to form biofilm. However, conclusive data do not exist concerning the factors that favor this ability.Objectives: Evaluation of the factors associated with the biofilm formation ability of H. pylori including bacterial, physical and chemical, and environmental factors was the research’s aim.Materials and Methods: H...

Helicobacter pylori exists in two distinct forms, rod shaped or coccoid, in stomachs of infected patients. Based on in vitro proteome comparisons, there are no detectable coccoid-specific proteins, which argues against the specific adaptation of coccoid Helicobacter to distinct biological functions, such as enhanced persistence or transmission to other hosts.

Ovaries ofPalaeococcus fuscipennis (Burmeister) are accompanied by large organs termed bacteriomes which are composed of large cells termed bacteriocytes. Each bacteriocyte is surrounded with small epithelial cells. The bacteriocyte cytoplasm is tightly packed with pleomorphic bacteria, whereas in epithelial cells small coccoid microorganisms are present. The number of coccoid bacteria is signi...

The effect of coccoid forms of a vaculating cytotoxin A positive Helicobacter pylori strain on Mus musculus (Swiss mice) and Rattus norvegicus (Albino rats) was studied. Two groups of Swiss mice and Albino rats were used. The first group of mice and rats was orally inoculated with coccoid forms of Helicobacter pylori, whereas, the second group of mice and rats were untreated and used as a contr...

Bile-tolerant Helicobacter spp. are emerging human and animal pathogens. However, due to their fastidious nature, which requires nutrient-rich complex media to grow, infection with these bacteria may be underestimated. The accumulation of toxic metabolites in cultures may be one of the main obstacles for successful culture of these organisms. The present study examined various potential growth-...

Background: Helicobacter pylori, which is associated with many upper gastrointestinal diseases, is found in half of the population of the world. Several special stains and immunohistochemistry stain for H. pylori are available. The need for and usefulness of immunohistochemical (IHC) technique has been debated for years. Toluidine blue is a simple stain for microbiological studies and is easily...

Variably acid-fast coccoid forms, suggestive of cell wall deficient forms of mycobacteria, were observed in the dermis in microscopic sections of skin from six patients with generalized scleroderma, 10 patients with localized scleroderma (morphea), and four patients with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA). These coccoid forms were found within the collagen bundles, around the adnexae (hair sh...