[Experimental infection of the cynomolgus monkey with Helicobacter pylori]

To better understand the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) associated gastritis and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential therapies in ulcer healing, we established an experimental animal model of H. pylori infection. A strain of H. pylori was isolated from the stomach of a Cynomolgus monkey, cultured and used to inoculate as a group of H. pylori negative monkeys. H. pylori-induced changes in the gastric mucosa was monitored both endoscopically and by histological evaluation of mucosal biopsy. After inoculation, H. pylori was found to colonize the gastric mucosa of these primates and had induced gastritis. In a related experimental series, we developed an experimental acetic-acid induced ulcer in the stomach of these monkeys. These results suggest that the Cynomolgus monkey may be a useful model to study H. pylori infection.