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The Use of Ampicillin-Medicated Diet to Treat Segmented Filamentous Bacteria in a Mouse (Mus musculus) Colony
Jenna Schoenberger1,2, Chago J Bowers1, George P Langan1,2
1Animal Resources Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; and.
Abstract:
Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), or Candidatus savagella, are gram-positive, spore-forming, filamentous commensal bacteria that colonize the ilea of mice and rats. SFB can impact certain research studies due to their effect on the innate and adaptive immune system. Therefore, there is a need to eliminate SFB from some rodent colonies. Antibiotics are an effective treatment method that have been shown to be successful at eradicating this bacterium. Commonly, antibiotics are supplied to rodents via water. However, antibiotics in water have several limitations, depending on the type of water and the length of time in water, and administration is labor intensive. Therefore, this study sought to create a rodent diet containing the antibiotic ampicillin. The feed was constructed to counter an expected ampicillin concentration decrease from the pelleting process and irradiation. Mice were placed on the ampicillin feed for 4 weeks, and SFB was measured via PCR fecal analysis. After one week of feeding the ampicillin diet, all mice in the treatment group were negative for SFB. These mice remained negative for 2 additional weeks after treatment cessation. This study shows ampicillin diet is an effective method to eliminate SFB from mouse colonies.
Insights
A novel ampicillin-containing rodent diet effectively eradicates Segmented Filamentous Bacteria (SFB). This method provides a more efficient alternative to water-based antibiotic treatments for SFB elimination in research colonies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Animal Science
Background:
- Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), or Candidatus savagella, are commensal bacteria colonizing the ilea of rodents.
- SFB significantly influence the innate and adaptive immune systems, potentially confounding research outcomes.
- Current methods for SFB eradication, primarily antibiotics in drinking water, present limitations in efficacy and administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel rodent diet incorporating the antibiotic ampicillin for SFB elimination.
- To overcome the limitations associated with antibiotic administration via drinking water.
Main Methods:
- A specialized rodent diet containing ampicillin was formulated to withstand processing and irradiation.
- Mice were administered the ampicillin-containing diet for a duration of four weeks.
- SFB colonization levels were assessed using PCR-based fecal analysis.
Main Results:
- Complete eradication of SFB was achieved in all treated mice within one week of diet administration.
- Mice remained SFB-negative for at least two weeks following the cessation of the ampicillin diet.
- The ampicillin diet demonstrated stability and efficacy despite pelleting and irradiation processes.
Conclusions:
- An ampicillin-fortified rodent diet is a highly effective strategy for eliminating Segmented Filamentous Bacteria from mouse colonies.
- This dietary approach offers a practical and efficient alternative to traditional water-based antibiotic treatments for SFB control.
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