In addition to our finding of a novel gamma retrovirus, we also identified new species of Helicobacter and Acinetobacter. Phylogenetic evaluation of Helicobacter transcripts and 16S rRNA from the MD 257 cDNA library placed this new organism in the Helicobacter pylori/Helicobacter acinonychis/Helicobacter cetorum complex. All members of this complex have been associated with gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in humans and animals [36, [54] [55] [56] . Our detection of this bacterium in only one animal suggests that this Helicobacter is not a mule deer commensal. Of interest in this respect is the high incidence of H. pylori infections and gastric ulcers in American Indian populations from the same geographical area in central Montana [57] . Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were identified in MD 80228 libraries based on all detection methods used (cDNA transcripts for protein-coding and rRNA, and amplicon rRNA). Phylogenetic evaluation of Acinetobacter transcripts and 16S rRNA from the MD 80228 cDNA library placed the respective reads in close relationship to Acinetobacter schindleri. Acinetobacter species are important environmental organisms, however they also are notable pathogens. In particular, Acinetobacter schindleri infections appear to be increasing in prevalence in hospitalized patients [37, 58] . Therefore, both of the newly identified bacteria are potential mule deer pathogens.