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Comparative virulence of in vitro ‐cultured primate‐ and pig‐associated Helicobacter suis strains in a BALB/c mouse and a Mongolian gerbil model
Author(s) -
Bosschem Iris,
Flahou Bram,
Bakker Jaco,
Heuvelman Edwin,
Langermans Jan A.M.,
De Bruyne Ellen,
Joosten Myrthe,
Smet Annemieke,
Ducatelle Richard,
Haesebrouck Freddy
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
helicobacter
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1523-5378
pISSN - 1083-4389
DOI - 10.1111/hel.12349
Subject(s) - biology , stomach , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , helicobacter , gerbil , primate , rodent , inoculation , virology , helicobacter pylori , immunology , medicine , gene , ecology , biochemistry , genetics , ischemia , neuroscience
Background Helicobacter suis ( H. suis ) is the most prevalent gastric non‐ H. pylori Helicobacter species in humans. This bacterium mainly colonizes the stomach of pigs, but it has also been detected in the stomach of nonhuman primates. The aim of this study was to obtain better insights into potential differences between pig‐ and primate‐associated H. suis strains in virulence and pathogenesis. Materials and Methods In vitro‐ isolated H. suis strains obtained from pigs, cynomolgus monkeys ( Macaca fascicularis ), and rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta ) were used for intragastric inoculation of BALB/c mice and Mongolian gerbils. Nine weeks and six months later, samples of the stomach of inoculated and control animals were taken for PCR analysis and histopathological examination. Results The cynomolgus monkey‐associated H. suis strain only colonized the stomach of mice, but not of Mongolian gerbils. All other H. suis strains colonized the stomach in both rodent models. In all colonized animals, severe gastric inflammation was induced. Gastric lymphoid follicles and destruction of the antral epithelium were observed in infected gerbils, but not in mice. Infection with both pig‐ and primate‐associated H. suis strains evoked a similar marked Th17 response in mice and gerbils, accompanied by increased CXCL‐13 expression levels. Conclusions Apart from the cynomolgus monkey‐associated strain which was unable of colonizing the stomach of Mongolian gerbils, no substantial differences in virulence were found in rodent models between in vitro‐ cultured pig‐associated, cynomolgus monkey‐associated and rhesus monkey‐associated H. suis strains. The experimental host determines the outcome of the immune response against H. suis infection, rather than the original host.