Enterohepatic Helicobacters: natural and experimental models.

The genus Helicobacter now includes at least 18 formally named species as well as several novel helicobacters that have not been formally named. Eleven Helicobacter spp. colonize the intestinal tract of mammals and birds. In addition, a number of the intestinal helicobacters can colonize the biliary tract and liver, induce hepatitis and one in particular, Helicobacter hepaticus, can cause liver cancer in susceptible strains of mice. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether these helicobacters are also responsible for enterohepatic diseases in humans.