GASTRIC-ULCER, ATROPHIC GASTRITIS, AND INTESTINAL METAPLASIA CAUSED BY HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN MONGOLIAN GERBILS

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.