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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Mouse Models Of Helicobacter Infection And Gastric Pathologies
Published on: October 18, 2018
Eradication of Helicobacter bilis and H. hepaticus from infected mice by using a medicated diet
Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos1, Harry Donnelly, Ioanna Kostavasili
1Center for Experimental Surgery, Foundation for Biomedical Research, Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephesius Street, 115 27 Athens, Greece. nkostom@bioacademy.gr
Abstract:
Infection of laboratory mice with Helicobacter spp. is a serious problem for many laboratory animal facilities worldwide. Rederivation and antibiotic treatment are two of the most common methods used to eliminate the bacterial infection from rodent colonies. Forty-seven newly imported mice were suspected to be positive for Helicobacter infection based on PCR analysis of pooled fecal samples from sentinel animals. We treated the mice with a medicated feed containing four antibiotic compounds (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, omeprazole). After eight weeks of continuous administration the animals were negative for H. bilis and H. hepaticus. Frequent retesting of the animals for up to one year proved that the mouse colony remained negative for Helicobacter spp.
Insights
Eliminating Helicobacter infections in lab mice is crucial. A novel antibiotic treatment effectively cleared Helicobacter spp. from a mouse colony, maintaining negative status for one year.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Helicobacter spp. infections pose a significant challenge in laboratory animal facilities globally.
- Common eradication methods include rederivation and antibiotic therapy.
- PCR analysis of sentinel animals indicated potential Helicobacter infection in a newly imported mouse cohort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a specific antibiotic combination for eradicating Helicobacter spp. in a mouse colony.
- To confirm the sustained absence of Helicobacter infection post-treatment.
Main Methods:
- A group of 47 newly imported mice, suspected of Helicobacter infection, were treated with medicated feed.
- The feed contained a combination of four antibiotics: amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and omeprazole.
- Animals were treated continuously for eight weeks, followed by extensive retesting for up to one year.
Main Results:
- Post-treatment PCR analysis confirmed the absence of Helicobacter bilis and Helicobacter hepaticus.
- The mouse colony remained consistently negative for Helicobacter spp. during the one-year follow-up period.
- The antibiotic regimen proved effective in clearing the targeted Helicobacter infections.
Conclusions:
- A combination antibiotic therapy is a viable and effective method for eradicating Helicobacter spp. in laboratory mice.
- Sustained negative status can be achieved and maintained, ensuring the integrity of research models.
- This approach offers a practical solution for managing Helicobacter infections in animal facilities.
