Development of a murine model of Helicobacter pylori infection

Background. A murine model for Helicobacter pylori infection could facilitate vaccine development. This study was designed to determine the effect of various conditions of dose, frequency of administration, and fasting on H. pylori infection of mice. Materials and Methods. Balb/c and C3H/HeN mice were inoculated orogastrically with clinical isolates of H. pylori grown in liquid culture. At 2-week intervals, the stomachs were removed for secondary culture on horse blood agar and for histological analysis. H. pylori from secondary cultures or homogenized stomach tissue from infected mice was inoculated a second time in naïve animals. Results. H. pylori was cultured with high frequency only from the stomachs of C3H/HeN mice. Fasting the mice and increasing the number of organisms inoculated did not increase the rate of infection. Histological analysis detected no inflammation, but mucus depletion and erosion were present in the stomachs of C3H/HeN mice. H. pylori organisms were not observed. Secondary cultures of H. pylori or homogenized infected stomach tissue did not cause infection when inoculated in naïve mice. Conclusions. Clinical isolates of H. pylori transiently infect C3H/HeN mice. This murine model is suitable for testing oral vaccines. Effective vaccination against H. pylori could prevent transient, infection and reduce subsequent gastritis.