Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) model of Helicobacter pylori: noninvasive detection and derivation of specific-pathogen-free monkeys.
OBJECTIVE
Development of the rhesus monkey model of Helicobacter pylori has been hampered by problems with serodetection and by the difficulty of identifying specific-pathogen (Helicobacter)-free animals. Our purpose was to determine whether detection could be improved and to determine if pathogen-free monkeys could be derived by nursery rearing.


METHODS
An enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) and a [14C]urea breath test were compared to endoscopy to determine H. pylori infection status in rhesus macaques; 18 animals were hand raised in the nursery to determine whether pathogen-free animals could be selected.


RESULTS
Helicobacter pylori infection was common in colony-raised young rhesus monkeys and was nearly universal by adulthood. Serodetection, using antigen from rhesus-derived H. pylori strains, was 95% sensitive and 94% specific. The [14C]urea breath test was 96% sensitive and 88% specific for detection of chronic Helicobacter infection in rhesus monkeys. Segregation of newborn animals within the first 24 h of life was a reliable method to obtain pathogen-free rhesus monkeys.


CONCLUSIONS
Isolation of specific-pathogen-free animals, together with better detection methods, may improve the value of the rhesus monkey model for the study of H. pylori pathogenesis, immune response, and vaccine development.
Solnick
J V
JV
Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical School, 95616, USA.
Canfield
D R
DR
Yang
S
S
Parsonnet
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001944:Breath Tests; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D014508:Urea