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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Mouse Models Of Helicobacter Infection And Gastric Pathologies
Published on: October 18, 2018
Occurrence of Helicobacter species other than H. hepaticus in laboratory mice and rats in Sweden
Sara K Johansson1, Ricardo E Feinstein, Karl-Erik Johansson
1Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden. sara.johansson@sva.se
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine which Helicobacter species other than H. hepaticus colonize laboratory mice and rats in Sweden. We analyzed 63 intestinal samples from mice and 42 intestinal samples from rats by partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Previously these samples had been found positive for Helicobacter species but negative for H. hepaticus in a polymerase chain reaction screening assay at the National Veterinary Institute in Sweden. H. ganmani, H. typhlonius, H. rodentium, an uncharacterized Helicobacter species ('hamster B'), and a possibly novel species were detected in mice. The possibly novel species was most closely related to H. apodemus strain YMRC 000216 (98.3% sequence similarity). Two different Helicobacter species were detected in rats: H. ganmani and H. rodentium. H. ganmani colonization of rats has not previously been reported.
Insights
This study identified novel Helicobacter species colonizing laboratory mice and rats in Sweden. Researchers found H. ganmani and H. rodentium in rats, with H. ganmani colonization being a new discovery.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Rodent Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Laboratory rodents are susceptible to Helicobacter infections.
- Previous studies focused on H. hepaticus, leaving other species under-investigated in Swedish animal facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify Helicobacter species, excluding H. hepaticus, colonizing mice and rats in Sweden.
- To characterize novel or uncharacterized Helicobacter species found in these rodents.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 63 mouse and 42 rat intestinal samples using partial 16S rDNA sequence analysis.
- Samples were pre-screened for Helicobacter species (excluding H. hepaticus) via polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Main Results:
- Mice samples revealed H. ganmani, H. typhlonius, H. rodentium, an uncharacterized species ('hamster B'), and a potentially novel species closely related to H. apodemus.
- Rat samples identified H. ganmani and H. rodentium.
- H. ganmani colonization in rats was reported for the first time.
Conclusions:
- Several Helicobacter species, beyond H. hepaticus, are prevalent in Swedish laboratory rodents.
- The findings highlight the need for broader surveillance of Helicobacter infections in research animals.
- The discovery of H. ganmani in rats warrants further investigation into its pathogenicity and transmission.
