Development of an animal model of Helicobacter pylori (Indian strain) infection.

To develop an animal model for Indian strain Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This model will allow one to study many facts of H. pylori infection in a more controlled manner. Mongolian gerbils were orogastric inoculated with two different Indian strains of H. pylori at different time points. Animals were sacrificed and looked for the presence of infection up to 52 weeks post-inoculation using a variety of techniques. Simultaneously, serums from these animals were also tested for antibody, and changes in the histopathology of stomach on H&E (hematoxylin and eosin) stains were also noted. Experimental sets of Mongolian gerbils were orally fed two strains of H. pylori obtained from human case by culture of different cagA and vacA strains three times daily on days 0, 2, and 4. H. pylori ATCC26695 strain was used for antisera preparation; three animals from each group were sacrificed at different time periods 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, 38 and 52 weeks after infection along with one control animal. Infections with H. pylori were confirmed in all the animals from 4 weeks onwards up to 52 weeks with histopathological changes in conformity with H. pylori gastritis. Wild Mongolian gerbils can be infected with Indian strains of H. pylori, and the infection persists at least 1 year. However, intensity of gastritis was milder than that seen in human case.