Pathogenicity of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains in the pregnant guinea pig model.
Pathogenicity of 17 Campylobacter isolates for pregnant guinea pigs was investigated. Of 14 isolates, 12 (86%) produced rates of abortion ranging from 13% to 87%. Two isolates did not produce abortion. Reference strains of C fetus subsp venerealis produced abortion in 60% to 87% and C fetus subsp fetus produced abortion in 60% of the guinea pigs. Inoculated organisms were recovered from uterus, blood, liver, kidney, spleen, and gallbladder of the guinea pigs at rates as high as 83% for 2 ovine isolates and as low as 13% for 2 bovine and 1 human isolates. Most isolations were from the uterus. Two avian isolates were not recovered. Within the C jejuni and C coli group, the ovine and the human isolates appear to be more pathogenic. Swine, bovine, and avian isolates were less pathogenic. Seemingly, the pregnant guinea pig was a suitable and practical model for evaluating the pathogenicity of Campylobacter organisms, regardless of their host of origin.
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002168:Campylobacter fetus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000382:microbiology; D013552:Swine / Q000382:microbiology