Different degree of ileal colonization by segmented, filamentous bacteria in two strains of mice

Segmented, filamentous bacteria (SFBs) are autochthonous, apathogenic inhabitants of the ileum of various animal species. Outbred Swiss (Cpb:SE) mice have significantly higher degrees of SFB colonization than do inbred BALB/c mice. The present studies were carried out to identify determinants of this strain difference. In a cross-fostering experiment it was shown that SFB colonization of the pups is determined by the strain of the pups themselves rather than by the strain of the nursing dam. Thus, maternal effects may not be involved in SFB colonization. In a cross-infecting experiment using germ-free and SFB-positive animals of the two mouse strains, it was found that ileal SFB colonization is determined by host characteristics rather than by origin of the SFBs. Thus, SFBs that are specific for a given mouse strain may not exist in the two strains of mice. It is concluded that the mouse strain difference in SFB colonization is determined by host characteristics, which probably have a genetic basis.