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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Mouse Models Of Helicobacter Infection And Gastric Pathologies
Published on: October 18, 2018
Eradication of Helicobacter spp. in mucin2-deficient mice
Ekaterina A Litvinova1, Elena N Kozhevnikova1, Ksenia M Achasova1
1Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia.
Abstract:
Infections with Helicobacter spp. are known to have serious effects on rodent health, especially in immunocompromised animals. In this study three approaches were used to eradicate Helicobacter spp. infection in mice with a deficiency in intestinal proteoglycan (mucin2), namely triple oral antibiotic therapy (amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole), cross-fostering of neonatal pups by surrogate mothers negative for Helicobacter spp., and in vitro fertilization (IVF) with embryo transfer into Helicobacter-free mothers. However, triple antibiotic therapy in mice with mucin2 deficiency was not effective and had negative effects on reproductive performance, and high susceptibility of mucin2-deficient mice to Helicobacter spp. during the first 12 h after birth rendered cross-fostering impossible. Only IVF with embryo transfer was effective in eradicating Helicobacter infection from transgenic mice with mucin2 deficiency.
Insights
Eradicating Helicobacter spp. in mucin2-deficient mice was challenging. In vitro fertilization with embryo transfer proved effective for eliminating Helicobacter infection in these susceptible mice.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Helicobacter spp. infections pose significant health risks to rodents, particularly immunocompromised individuals.
- Mucin2 deficiency in mice compromises intestinal barrier function, increasing susceptibility to infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate methods for eradicating Helicobacter spp. in mice with mucin2 deficiency.
- To identify a safe and effective strategy for Helicobacter eradication in this susceptible mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Triple oral antibiotic therapy (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole).
- Cross-fostering of neonatal pups to Helicobacter-free surrogate mothers.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) with embryo transfer into Helicobacter-free mothers.
Main Results:
- Triple antibiotic therapy was ineffective and negatively impacted reproductive performance.
- Cross-fostering was not feasible due to high neonatal susceptibility of mucin2-deficient mice to Helicobacter.
- IVF with embryo transfer successfully eradicated Helicobacter infection in mucin2-deficient mice.
Conclusions:
- Standard eradication methods are insufficient for Helicobacter in mucin2-deficient mice.
- In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is a viable strategy for eliminating Helicobacter infection in this compromised host model.
