Biomaterial Database

Colonization and infection of athymic and euthymic germfree mice by Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus. 1986

J W Yrios, and E Balish

Human clinical strains of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus colonized the gastrointestinal tracts of both athymic (nu/nu) and euthymic (+/nu) germfree mice (BALB/c). Viable Campylobacter spp. (10(9) to 10(10) CFU/g [dry weight] of cecum and colon contents) were isolated on day 3 after oral challenge, and similar large numbers of viable cells were evident at several intervals during a 10-month experiment. The stomachs and upper small intestines of nu/nu and +/nu mice that were monoassociated for 224 days with C. jejuni 45100 contained 3 to 4 logs fewer viable bacteria than did their ceca or colons. Athymic mice that were monoassociated for 224 days with C. fetus subsp. fetus had 2 to 3 logs more viable Campylobacter spp. in their upper gastrointestinal tracts than did their +/nu littermates. Large viable populations (approximately 10(9)/g of contents) of C. fetus subsp. fetus were in the ceca and colons of both nu/nu and +/nu mice. All C. jejuni strains used in this study chronically infected the mesenteric lymph nodes of both nu/nu and +/nu mice. C. jejuni strains 24 and INN 73-83, which were cytotoxic for Chinese hamster ovary cells in vitro, were also more frequently isolated from the livers, spleens, and kidneys of nu/nu mice than was the weak cytotoxin-producing strain 45100. Additionally, heat-labile-enterotoxin-producing C. jejuni INN 73-83 was recovered more frequently from the internal organs of monoassociated +/nu mice than were any other Campylobacter spp. tested. Natural gastrointestinal colonization of neonatal nu/nu and +/nu mice (born to Campylobacter-colonized mothers) with Campylobacter spp. appeared to be delayed until approximately 1 to 2 weeks after birth. Conventionalization of C. jejuni 45100-monoassociated BALB/c mice with a complex mouse fecal microflora eliminated viable C. jejuni from the mesenteric lymph nodes by day 14 and from the cecum by day 78. These findings show that the gnotobiotic BALB/c mouse is a new model for studying acute and chronic host-Campylobacter sp. interactions.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008198	Lymph Nodes	They are oval or bean shaped bodies (1 - 30 mm in diameter) located along the lymphatic system.	Lymph Node,Node, Lymph,Nodes, Lymph
D008206	Lymphatic Diseases	Diseases of LYMPH; LYMPH NODES; or LYMPHATIC VESSELS.	Lymphatism,Status Lymphaticus,Disease, Lymphatic,Diseases, Lymphatic,Lymphatic Disease
D008643	Mesentery	A layer of the peritoneum which attaches the abdominal viscera to the ABDOMINAL WALL and conveys their blood vessels and nerves.	Mesenteries
D008807	Mice, Inbred BALB C	An inbred strain of mouse that is widely used in IMMUNOLOGY studies and cancer research.	BALB C Mice, Inbred,BALB C Mouse, Inbred,Inbred BALB C Mice,Inbred BALB C Mouse,Mice, BALB C,Mouse, BALB C,Mouse, Inbred BALB C,BALB C Mice,BALB C Mouse
D008819	Mice, Nude	Mutant mice homozygous for the recessive gene "nude" which fail to develop a thymus. They are useful in tumor studies and studies on immune responses.	Athymic Mice,Mice, Athymic,Nude Mice,Mouse, Athymic,Mouse, Nude,Athymic Mouse,Nude Mouse
D008855	Microscopy, Electron, Scanning	Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.	Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D008871	Microvilli	Minute projections of cell membranes which greatly increase the surface area of the cell.	Brush Border,Striated Border,Border, Brush,Border, Striated,Borders, Brush,Borders, Striated,Brush Borders,Microvillus,Striated Borders
D002168	Campylobacter fetus	A species of bacteria present in man and many kinds of animals and birds, often causing infertility and/or abortion.	Spirillum fetus,Vibrio fetus
D002169	Campylobacter Infections	Infections with bacteria of the genus CAMPYLOBACTER.	Campylobacter Infection,Campylobacteriosis,Infections, Campylobacter,Campylobacterioses,Infection, Campylobacter
D004064	Digestive System	A group of organs stretching from the MOUTH to the ANUS, serving to breakdown foods, assimilate nutrients, and eliminate waste. In humans, the digestive system includes the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT and the accessory glands (LIVER; BILIARY TRACT; PANCREAS).	Ailmentary System,Alimentary System