Alterations of myoelectric activity associated with Campylobacter jejuni and its cell-free filtrate in the small intestine of rabbits.

We evaluated the effects of a culture of Campylobacter jejuni and its cell-free filtrate on myoelectric activity of isolated ileal segments in New Zealand White rabbits. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the association between histologic changes and alterations in intestinal myoelectric activity. A culture of C. jejuni was shown to cause a significant increase in repetitive bursts of action potentials (RBAPs) (6.9 +/- 1.2 RBAP/h; p less than 0.001) compared with controls (0.3 +/- 0.1). Cell-free filtrates of C. jejuni cultures were also observed to induce RBAPs (5.0 +/- 0.9 RBAP/h; p less than 0.001). The fraction within the filtrate that induces alterations in motility was not destroyed by heating to 100 degrees C for 15 min (6.3 +/- 1.2 RBAP/h). Although no gross histologic changes were noted by hematoxylin and eosin staining of intestine exposed to a culture of C. jejuni for 8 h, blunting of villi with a cellular infiltrate was noted in rabbits exposed for 24 h. Scanning electron microscopy disclosed patchy villous tip damage in 3 of 5 animals exposed to cell-free filtrates for 8 h. These studies suggest C. jejuni is pathogenic and produces a heat-stable substance that alters intestinal myoelectric activity in rabbits.