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Review
. 2019 May 15:10:1086.
doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01086. eCollection 2019.

Living in Cold Blood: Arcobacter, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter in Reptiles

Maarten J Gilbert  1   2 , Birgitta Duim  1   3 , Aldert L Zomer  1   3 , Jaap A Wagenaar  1   3   4
Affiliations
Review

Living in Cold Blood: Arcobacter, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter in Reptiles

Maarten J Gilbert et al. Front Microbiol. .

Abstract

Species of the Epsilonproteobacteria genera Arcobacter, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter are commonly associated with vertebrate hosts and some are considered significant pathogens. Vertebrate-associated Epsilonproteobacteria are often considered to be largely confined to endothermic mammals and birds. Recent studies have shown that ectothermic reptiles display a distinct and largely unique Epsilonproteobacteria community, including taxa which can cause disease in humans. Several Arcobacter taxa are widespread amongst reptiles and often show a broad host range. Reptiles carry a large diversity of unique and novel Helicobacter taxa, which apparently evolved in an ectothermic host. Some species, such as Campylobacter fetus, display a distinct intraspecies host dichotomy, with genetically divergent lineages occurring either in mammals or reptiles. These taxa can provide valuable insights in host adaptation and co-evolution between symbiont and host. Here, we present an overview of the biodiversity, ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of reptile-associated Epsilonproteobacteria from a broader vertebrate host perspective.

Keywords: Arcobacter; Campylobacter; Epsilonproteobacteria; Helicobacter; biodiversity; ecology; evolution; reptile.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Epsilonproteobacteria 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, including all Arcobacter, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter species and the type species of the remaining genera. Desulfurella acetivorans was used as outgroup and root of the tree.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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