A polysaccharide lyase was identified in gastric Helicobacter bizzozeroni and homologues were detected only in other canine- and feline-associated Helicobacter species.

The substrate specificity of the enzyme was investigated and identified as specific for chondroitin sulphate but not dermatan sulphate, with an optimal pH of activity between 4 and 5.5.

Chondroitin sulphate is a unique feature of gastric mucosa of dogs secreted by chief cells, and the presence of this gene in H. bizzozeronii is a likely consequence of host–parasite coevolution as result of adaptation to the canine host.