In search of an animal model for experimental Campylobacter pylori infection: administration of Campylobacter pylori to rodents.

Various mouse strains and Lewis rats were either orally or intravenously infected with high inocula of Campylobacter pylori and bacterial counts in the liver, spleen, heart, kidneys, and the stomach were followed over time. The intravenously infected animals displayed transient bacteremia and colonization of their livers and spleens. A loglinear decrease led to complete bacterial clearance after 72 hours. Oral administration of Campylobacter pylori neither resulted in colonization nor tissue invasion in any of the infected mice, even if infection had occurred under complete drug-induced achlorohydria. We conclude that under the conditions chosen, mice and rats are not suited for an animal model for experimental Campylobacter pylori infection.