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In 1983, the Lancet reported the first successful culture of helical gram-negative bacteria from the stomach. The organism was named Campylobacter pylori because light microscopy and preliminary DNA analysis revealed a similarity to the campylobacters. However, subsequent detailed analysis of five major features used to classify bacteria (ultrastructure, fatty-acid profiles, respiratory quinones, growth characteristics, and enzyme capabilities) has revealed that the organism belongs in its own genus.
In early October, the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology named the new genus Helicobacter (the organism appears helical in vivo, but often staff-like, or "bacter," in vitro). Thus, C. pylori is now called Helicobacter pylori. The n…