MedWire News: A type of bacterium that causes stomach ulcers in some people who are in close contact with pigs has been identified and successfully grown in the laboratory by Belgian scientists.

The breakthrough could lead to new treatments for people with stomach ulcers caused by the bacterium.

Helicobacter pylori is the bacterium that most commonly causes stomach ulcers in humans. Extensive research has been conducted on this bacterium and the scientists who discovered it were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine in 2005.

However, tissue samples taken from pigs with stomach ulcers and a small number of people with the condition contain a previously unidentified bacterium, explain lead researcher Dr Baele, from Ghent University, and colleagues.

They add that previous attempts to grow and study this bacterium in the laboratory have failed, until now.

Using a pioneering technique, the team recreated aspects of the bacterium's natural habitat in the stomach and used tissue samples from pigs to grow the bacterium in the laboratory. Genetic analysis revealed that the bacterium, which they call Helicobacter suis, is related to Helicobacter pylori.

"Data shows that people in close contact with pigs have a higher risk of infection; this suggests Helicobacter suis is... capable of being transmitted from animals to humans," said Dr Baele.

Co-researcher Dr Freddy Haesebrouck, also from Ghent University, commented: "We know very little about how the bacterium infects humans and pigs and how it causes disease. Thanks to this research, pure isolates of Helicobacter suis are now available, bringing new perspectives to the study of this organism and its interaction with the host."

The team adds that the research may lead to new treatments for people with stomach ulcers caused by this bacterium, and could also result in the development of an effective vaccine.

The findings are published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.