Do intraspecies interactions affect Helicobacter pylori community composition?

Helicobacter pylori is a prevalent bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa of humans. In the 1990s, researchers discovered that H. pylori plays a role in the pathogenesis of gastric diseases. Moreover, Helicobacter pylori produce factors that influence the host on a large scale. Since the discovery of H. pylori, the majority of the research has focused on the pathology of diseases associated with these bacteria and how to eradicate them. However, recent research demonstrates the potential benefits of its infection, taking into account modern diseases such as allergic disorders. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the factors that are affecting how these bacteria behaves. Bacteria are also known to have social lives, communicating via various pathways, protecting the host against diseases, and helping digest their food. The aim of this research is to observe the host effects on microbes and microbial interactions alone, such as competition, cooperation, and cheating, focusing on social evolution theory both in vivo and in vitro environments. The research addresses the impact of H. pylori sociality on the hosts and on each other. Because social behaviors can be the traits that matter for host colonization and persistence, they might affect the progression of the infection.