Primary Campylobacter jejuni infection in different mice strains

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of human bacterial gastroenteritis.
• Understanding host immune responses and disease mechanisms is limited by a lack of suitable animal models.
• Extra-intestinal manifestations of C. jejuni infection are a concern, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and characterize an experimental mouse model for Campylobacter jejuni infection.
• To investigate the pathophysiology and host immunological response to C. jejuni.
• To evaluate differences in infection course and severity among distinct mouse strains.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of an experimental infection model using adult BALB/c, C57BL/6, and DBA/2 mice.
• Intraperitoneal injection of C. jejuni (0.5-1x10^9 cfu).
• Monitoring bacterial spreading, tissue invasion, duration of infection in liver and spleen, and pathohistological changes.

Main Results:

• No clinical symptoms were observed in infected mice, but bacterial dissemination and tissue invasion occurred.
• Significant differences in systemic infection course were observed among mouse strains.
• BALB/c mice exhibited the highest sensitivity, with the most pronounced pathohistological changes and longest duration of primary liver infection.

Conclusions:

• The established mouse model is effective for studying C. jejuni pathogenesis.
• Host genetic background significantly influences the course and severity of C. jejuni infection.
• Strain-specific differences in mice must be considered when utilizing this model for future research.