S. Honda et al., GASTRIC-ULCER, ATROPHIC GASTRITIS, AND INTESTINAL METAPLASIA CAUSED BY HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN MONGOLIAN GERBILS, Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 33(5), 1998, pp. 454-460
Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gastroduo
denal disease in humans. In this study we aimed to show this relations
hip directly in Mongolian gerbils. Methods: The animals were challenge
d orally with H. pylori and killed 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after inocula
tion for histologic and anti-H. pylori antibody titer examination. Res
ults: The spiral bacteria were observed in the mucus and gastric pits
of all infected animals. A severe infiltration of the lamina propria b
y polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells was seen 1 month after H. py
lori inoculation. The submucosa was infiltrated by mainly mononuclear
cells with formation of lymphoid follicles. Erosion of the gastric muc
osa appeared soon after inoculation, whereas gastric ulcers, gastritis
cystica profunda, and atrophy with goblet cell metaplasia occurred be
tween 3 and 6 months after inoculation. In the duodenal mucosa a mild
inflammatory cell infiltration with ballooning and diminished number o
f duodenal glands was seen. The IgG anti-H. pylori antibody titer incr
eased grad;ally after 2 months of inoculation. Conclusions: Since the
gastritis, gastric ulcers, atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplas
ia that developed in Mongolian gerbils were similar to those observed
in humans, this model may be useful to study the therapy of gastric ul
cer and, with a longer observation period, to confirm a possible relat
ionship between H. pylori and malignancy.