Campylobacter vs. Helicobacter — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 17, 2024
Campylobacter and Helicobacter are both types of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal infections. Campylobacter is often linked to foodborne illnesses, while Helicobacter is known for causing stomach ulcers and chronic gastritis.
Difference Between Campylobacter and Helicobacter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Campylobacter is a genus of bacteria commonly associated with foodborne illnesses. It is often contracted through contaminated poultry, unpasteurized milk, or untreated water. Helicobacter, specifically Helicobacter pylori, is primarily known for colonizing the stomach lining and causing peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis.
Campylobacter infections typically result in symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. These infections are usually self-limiting and resolve within a week. In contrast, Helicobacter pylori infections can be asymptomatic but are often linked to chronic stomach pain and may require antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors for treatment.
Campylobacter can spread through the consumption of undercooked poultry, cross-contamination, or direct contact with infected animals. Helicobacter pylori is mainly transmitted through oral-oral or fecal-oral routes, often within families or through contaminated food and water.
Diagnosing Campylobacter infection usually involves stool tests to detect the presence of the bacteria. Diagnosing Helicobacter pylori may require urea breath tests, stool antigen tests, or endoscopy with biopsy.
Treatment for Campylobacter often involves hydration and rest, with antibiotics reserved for severe cases. Helicobacter pylori treatment involves a combination of antibiotics and medications to reduce stomach acid, requiring a more complex and prolonged regimen.
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Both bacteria are significant in medical microbiology, with Campylobacter being a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and Helicobacter pylori being closely linked to serious gastric conditions, including stomach cancer.
Comparison Chart
Disease Association
Foodborne illnesses
Stomach ulcers, chronic gastritis
Transmission
Contaminated food, water, and animal contact
Oral-oral or fecal-oral routes
Common Symptoms
Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps
Stomach pain, nausea, bloating
Diagnosis
Stool tests
Urea breath test, stool antigen test, endoscopy
Treatment
Hydration, rest, antibiotics for severe cases
Antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors
Compare with Definitions
Campylobacter
A group of bacteria causing gastroenteritis.
Campylobacter jejuni is a common cause of food poisoning.
Helicobacter
Linked to long-term stomach inflammation.
Helicobacter pylori can cause chronic gastritis.
Campylobacter
Known for causing infections through contaminated food.
Improperly cooked chicken can harbor Campylobacter.
Helicobacter
Treated with a combination of antibiotics.
Helicobacter pylori infection necessitates antibiotic treatment.
Campylobacter
Often results in gastrointestinal distress.
Campylobacter infections typically cause severe diarrhea.
Helicobacter
Known for causing peptic ulcers.
Helicobacter pylori infection often leads to stomach ulcers.
Campylobacter
Transmitted from animals to humans.
Handling raw poultry can lead to Campylobacter infection.
Helicobacter
Often detected through a urea breath test.
A urea breath test is used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori.
Campylobacter
Identified by detecting bacteria in stool samples.
Doctors confirm Campylobacter infection through stool analysis.
Helicobacter
Includes species that colonize the stomach.
Helicobacter pylori is found in the stomach lining.
Campylobacter
Campylobacter (meaning "curved bacteria") is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. Campylobacter typically appear comma- or s-shaped, and are motile.
Helicobacter
Helicobacter is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria possessing a characteristic helical shape. They were initially considered to be members of the genus Campylobacter, but in 1989, Goodwin et al.
Campylobacter
Any bacteria of the genus Campylobacter; a principal cause of food poisoning
Helicobacter
Any member of the Helicobacter bacteria.
Common Curiosities
What diseases do Campylobacter cause?
Campylobacter mainly causes gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
How do you diagnose Helicobacter pylori?
Helicobacter pylori can be diagnosed using urea breath tests, stool antigen tests, or endoscopy with biopsy.
How is Helicobacter pylori transmitted?
Helicobacter pylori is transmitted through oral-oral or fecal-oral routes, often within families or via contaminated food and water.
How can Campylobacter be prevented?
Prevention includes proper food handling, cooking meat thoroughly, and avoiding unpasteurized dairy products.
Is there a vaccine for Campylobacter?
Currently, there is no vaccine for Campylobacter.
What are common symptoms of Campylobacter infection?
Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Can Helicobacter pylori cause cancer?
Yes, chronic Helicobacter pylori infection can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer.
What is the primary treatment for Campylobacter infection?
The primary treatment involves hydration and rest, with antibiotics reserved for severe cases.
What complications can arise from Helicobacter pylori infection?
Complications include peptic ulcers, chronic gastritis, and an increased risk of gastric cancer.
What is the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection?
Helicobacter pylori infection is common worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
What foods are commonly associated with Campylobacter?
Poultry, unpasteurized milk, and untreated water are common sources.
How is Helicobacter pylori treated?
It is treated with a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid.
Is Campylobacter infection serious?
It can be, especially in young children, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals, though most cases are self-limiting.
Can Helicobacter pylori be asymptomatic?
Yes, many people with Helicobacter pylori infection do not experience symptoms.
What is the main difference between Campylobacter and Helicobacter infections?
Campylobacter primarily causes acute gastrointestinal illness, while Helicobacter pylori is associated with chronic gastric conditions, including ulcers and gastritis.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
