To browse Academia. The gastrointestinal tract of the domestic ferret, Mustela putorius furo, has been studied extensively as a model for several human gastrointestinal tract diseases, including spontaneous gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, gastric carcinoma and lymphoma, the lack of acid mucosubstances similar to humans, and Helicobacter mustelae infection.
To discuss the implications of the role of Helicobacter in disease, we must first review the unique anatomy and physiology of the ferret digestive system. Antibiotic therapy is lengthy and is not always effective.
It has been shown previously that oral immunization against Helicobacter felis in mice can prevent colonization after challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of therapeutic immunization in eradicating an established Helicobacter infection and in reducing gastritis.
METHODS: Domestic ferrets, confirmed to be infected with Helicobacter mustelae by gastric endoscopy, were orally immunized with varying doses of purified Helicobacter pylori urease in combination with the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin.
Ferrets were assessed 1 week and 6 weeks after treatment for infection and pathology. Oral immunization of chronically infected animals markedly reduced gastric inflammation.
