HELICOBACTER MUSTELAE-ASSOCIATED HYPERGASTRINEMIA IN FERRETS (MUSTELA-PUTORIUS-FURO)

Objective-To determine whether ferrets naturally infected with Helicob acter mustelae were hypergastrinemic, compared with ferrets that were specific-pathogen-free (SPF) for H mustelae. Design-Plasma gastrin con centrations in H mustelae infected and SPF ferrets were measured at 3 time points and compared to determine whether H mustelae was associate d with hypergastrinemia. Animals-21 H mustelae-infected ferrets and 10 SPF ferrets, Procedure-The H mustelae status of the ferrets was confi rmed prior to commencement of the study. Gastric endoscopy was used to obtain gastric mucosal pinch biopsy specimens that were processed for rapid-urease assay, microaerophilic culturing, and histologic evaluat ion. Plasma gastrin concentrations were determined at 3 time points: b aseline after a 12-hour nonfeeding period, and 30 and 60 minutes after oral administration of a standardized meal. Gastrin was measured by r adioimmunoassay. Results-The results for the H mustelae-infected group (mean +/- SEM pg/ml) were: baseline, 54.4 +/- 2.56; 30 minutes, 94.5 +/- 6.05; and 60 minutes, 82.6 +/- 5.73. The SPF group results were: b aseline, 55.8 +/- 7.35; 30 minutes, 80.8 +/- 5.77; and 60 minutes, 59. 7 +/- 4.95. There was a significant (P < 0.01) difference at the 60-mi nute time point between the 2 groups of animals. The H mustelae group had a 17% higher mean gastrin value al 30 minutes. Conclusions-Helicob acter mustelae is associated with hypergastrinemia in ferrets. Clinica l Relevance-Helicobacter-induced hypergastrinemia may be related to th e pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease in ferrets.