HELICOBACTER MUSTELAE-ASSOCIATED GASTRIC MALT LYMPHOMA IN FERRETS

Gastric lymphoma resembling gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma linked with Helicobacter pylori infection in humans wa s observed in ferrets infected with H. mustelae. Four ferrets with ant e- or postmortem evidence of primary gastric lymphoma were described. Lymphoma was diagnosed in the wall of the lesser curvature of the pylo ric antrum, corresponding to the predominant focus of H. mustelae-indu ced gastritis in ferrets. Two ferrets had low-grade small-cell lymphom a and two ferrets had high-grade large-cell lymphoma, Gastric lymphoma s demonstrated characteristic lymphoepithelial lesions, and the lympho id cells were IgG(+) in all ferrets, Lymphoma was confirmed by light c hain restriction, which contrasted with the 1.2:1 kappa lambda ratio o bserved in H. mustelae-associated chronic gastritis. H. mustelae infec tion in ferrets has been used as a model for gastritis, ulcerogenesis, and carcinogenesis, The ferret may provide an attractive model to stu dy, pathogenesis and treatment of gastric MALT lymphoma in humans.