Helicobacter mustelae-associated hypergastrinemia in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether ferrets naturally infected with Helicobacter mustelae were hypergastrinemic, compared with ferrets that were specific-pathogen-free (SPF) for H mustelae.


METHODS
Plasma gastrin concentrations in H mustelae-infected and SPF ferrets were measured at 3 time points and compared to determine whether H mustelae was associated with hypergastrinemia.


METHODS
21 H mustelae-infected ferrets and 10 SPF ferrets.


METHODS
The H mustelae status of the ferrets was confirmed prior to commencement of the study. Gastric endoscopy was used to obtain gastric mucosal pinch biopsy specimens that were processed for rapid-urease assay, microaerophilic culturing, and histologic evaluation. Plasma gastrin concentrations were determined at 3 time points: baseline after a 12-hour nonfeeding period, and 30 and 60 minutes after oral administration of a standardized meal. Gastrin was measured by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
The results for the H mustelae-infected group (mean +/- SEM pg/ml) were: baseline, 54.4 +/- 2.56; 30 minutes, 94.5 +/- 6.05; and 60 minutes, 82.6 +/- 5.73. The SPF group results were: baseline, 55.8 +/- 7.35; 30 minutes, 80.8 +/- 5.77; and 60 minutes, 59.7 +/- 4.95. There was a significant (P < 0.01) difference at the 60-minute time point between the 2 groups of animals. The H mustelae group had a 17% higher mean gastrin value at 30 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
Helicobacter mustelae is associated with hypergastrinemia in ferrets.


CONCLUSIONS
Helicobacter-induced hypergastrinemia may be related to the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease in ferrets.
Perkins
S E
SE
Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
Fox
J G
JG
Walsh
J H
JH
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D005289:Ferrets; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D016998:Helicobacter / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000662:veterinary; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
D005755:Gastrins