title: Systematic review of animal models of post-infectious/post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is a subset of IBS which occurs after an episode of acute gastrointestinal infections. The mechanisms of PI-IBS are not fully understood. Currently, numerous animal models have been used in the study of PI-IBS. This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of these models.
  
  
  METHODS
  All relevant articles were identified by searching in Ovid SP from 1962, the year the term PI-IBS was coined, up to December 31, 2009. The types of model were categorized as either post-infectious or post-inflammatory, and the characteristics of each kind of model were listed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on our literature search, 268 articles were identified. Of those articles, 50 were included in this review. The existing PI-IBS models include infection with bacteria (e.g., Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella enterica, and Campylobacter rodentium), and infection with parasites (e.g., Trichinella spiralis, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, and Cryptosporidium parvum). The post-inflammatory IBS models are commonly induced with chemical agents, such as acetic acid, deoxycholic acid, dextran sulfate sodium, mustard oil, zymosan, and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). TNBS is the most commonly used agent for post-inflammatory IBS models, but the experimental protocol varies. These models have one or more aspects similar to IBS patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different methods have been used for the development of post-infectious or post-inflammatory IBS models. Each model has its weaknesses and strengths. More studies are needed to establish post-infection IBS models using more common pathogens. A standard protocol in developing TNBS-induced post-inflammatory IBS model is needed.
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Justin C Y
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xu-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Joseph J Y
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Hong-Xi
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhao-Xiang
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Bian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal