Seroepizootiology of Helicobacter pylori gastric infection in nonhuman primates housed in social environments

J Clin Microbiol. 1995 Jun;33(6):1492-5. doi: 10.1128/jcm.33.6.1492-1495.1995.

Abstract

We determined the seroepizootiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in rhesus monkeys. Plasma was obtained from 196 animals (age range, 1 to 22 years) that were housed in social environments, either in indoor gang cages, in outdoor corrals, or in free-ranging forested conditions. Plasma immunoglobulin G levels were determined with a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the cutoff immunoglobulin G value for H. pylori seropositivity was determined from a study of 25 monkeys whose infection status was assessed by light microscopy and culture. One-year-old animals of both genders in all housing conditions had the lowest rate of positivity (60% in monkeys 1 year old versus 81% in monkeys 2 to 10 years old, P = 0.026). In addition, females tended to have higher rates of positivity than males. Seroconversion during a 1-year observation period occurred in 7 (28%) of 25 seronegative animals. Seroreversion occurred in 3 (4%) of the 78 positive animals; all 3 of these animals had received antimicrobial agents during the year. These observations demonstrate that the epizootiology of H. pylori infection in rhesus monkeys may serve as a model for human infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gastritis / epidemiology
  • Gastritis / immunology
  • Gastritis / veterinary*
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology
  • Helicobacter Infections / immunology
  • Helicobacter Infections / veterinary*
  • Helicobacter pylori* / immunology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Monkey Diseases / epidemiology
  • Monkey Diseases / immunology*
  • Monkey Diseases / transmission
  • Social Environment

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial