佛罗里达大学研究人员在搁浅的侏儒抹香鲸胃部发现了三种此前未知的幽门螺杆菌菌株，分别命名为Kogia幽门螺杆菌1、2和3[1]。研究团队在1999至2020年间处理的59起侏儒抹香鲸搁浅事件中，对其中80%的动物进行了尸检，最终在四条鲸鱼的胃组织中检测到这些螺旋形细菌[1]。
受感染的鲸鱼均出现了严重的消化道病变[1]。所有四条检测呈阳性的个体都显示胃炎、胃溃疡、纤维化和线虫感染的迹象[1]。然而，研究人员尚未确认这些细菌为这些鲸鱼的死亡原因。
从遗传学角度看，Kogia幽门螺杆菌1和2与已知的其他鲸类、海豚和人类中发现的幽门螺杆菌菌株遗传相似[1]，而Kogia幽门螺杆菌3属于更有分化的谱系[1]。研究者Annie Page博士指出："要在深潜鲸类中发现新的幽门螺杆菌菌株很有趣"[1]。这项研究已发表在2026年《野生动物疾病杂志》第62卷第1期[1]。
Researchers from the University of Florida have identified three previously unknown strains of Helicobacter pylori bacteria inside stranded dwarf sperm whales, marking a significant discovery in marine pathology [1]. The bacteria, designated Kogia pylori 1, 2, and 3, were found in stomach tissue samples from four infected whales [1]. The findings were published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Volume 62, Issue 1, in 2026 [1].
All four whales that tested positive for the bacteria exhibited severe gastrointestinal damage, including inflammation, ulcers, scarring, and nematode infections [1]. However, researchers have not confirmed that the bacterial infection was the direct cause of death in any of the animals [1]. Genetic analysis revealed that Kogia pylori 1 and 2 share similarities with Helicobacter pylori strains previously detected in other whales, dolphins, and humans, while Kogia pylori 3 represents a more distinct lineage [1].
The research builds on a comprehensive study spanning from 1999 to 2020, during which researchers responded to 59 stranding events involving dwarf sperm whales and performed necropsies on approximately 80 percent of the animals [1]. Dr. Annie Page noted that discovering novel Helicobacter pylori strains in deep-diving cetaceans is of particular scientific interest [1].