Helicobacter pylori vs Campylobacter jejuni
How to tell Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni apart when a board question makes them look alike.
H pylori is urease-positive stomach ulcer disease; Campylobacter is poultry-associated inflammatory diarrhea.
Side by side
Urease-positive curved gastric organism causing chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma risk, and MALT lymphoma risk.
Curved intestinal organism from poultry causing inflammatory diarrhea and postinfectious Guillain-Barre syndrome.
H pylori urease generates ammonia to buffer gastric acid and permit mucosal colonization.
C jejuni invades intestinal mucosa and can induce immune cross-reactivity with peripheral nerves.
Urea breath test, stool antigen, gastric biopsy rapid urease test, or ulcer disease points H pylori.
Stool culture, poultry exposure, bloody diarrhea, 42 C growth, or later GBS points Campylobacter.
The trap
Both are curved gram-negative organisms, so location and urease testing are the separator.
The repair move
For curved gram-negative rods, ask stomach versus stool: (1) urease-positive plus peptic ulcer disease (especially duodenal) plus risk of gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma equals H pylori (confirm with urea breath test or stool antigen; treat with triple therapy of PPI plus clarithromycin plus amoxicillin, or quadruple therapy with bismuth plus metronidazole plus tetracycline plus PPI in resistant areas); (2) oxidase-positive plus growth at 42 degrees C plus seagull-shaped on Gram stain plus poultry or unpasteurized milk exposure plus watery-to-bloody diarrhea equals C jejuni (the most common antecedent infection in Guillain-Barre syndrome and reactive arthritis; treat with azithromycin or fluoroquinolone if severe or immunocompromised).
Try a free question
CoreA patient has chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer disease. Testing is positive on urea breath test because a curved gram-negative organism produces urease in the stomach. Which organism is most likely?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Helicobacter pylori. H pylori is urease-positive, colonizes gastric mucosa, and is linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, and MALT lymphoma.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. C jejuni is a curved gram-negative rod causing inflammatory diarrhea after poultry.
- C. V cholerae causes secretory watery diarrhea.
- D. Salmonella Typhi causes enteric fever.
- E. Shigella causes dysentery with low infectious dose.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What is the fastest separator for Helicobacter pylori vs Campylobacter jejuni?
H pylori is urease-positive stomach ulcer disease; Campylobacter is poultry-associated inflammatory diarrhea.
What clue should make you choose Helicobacter pylori?
Urease-positive curved gastric organism causing chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma risk, and MALT lymphoma risk.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Helicobacter pylori from Campylobacter jejuni?
H pylori is urease-positive stomach ulcer disease; Campylobacter is poultry-associated inflammatory diarrhea.
What is the key clue for Helicobacter pylori?
Urease-positive curved gastric organism causing chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma risk, and MALT lymphoma risk.
What is the key clue for Campylobacter jejuni?
Curved intestinal organism from poultry causing inflammatory diarrhea and postinfectious Guillain-Barre syndrome.
What is the common trap with Helicobacter pylori vs Campylobacter jejuni?
Both are curved gram-negative organisms, so location and urease testing are the separator.