Campylobacter spp and Helicobacter spp are gastrointestinal pathogens that remain a major cause of acute gastroenteritis and gastric disease, respectively. The 16th International Workshop on Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Related Organisms (CHRO) will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada from August 28-September 1, 2011 and will highlight recent advances in our understanding of the epidemiology, survival mechanisms, host response and pathogenesis of these important species. This Research Topic issue will highlight each of these topics and will attempt to shed insight into our growing understanding of the process of host-pathogen interactions as it relates to Campylobacter and Helicobacter.