H. pylori is a major cause of gastrointestinal disease worldwide. Recently, several putative virulence factors of Helicobacter organisms have been identified. Characterization of these determinants and investigation into their mechanisms of action is an important area of study in Helicobacter pathogenesis. Molecular biological techniques have allowed research in this field to progress rapidly in both the identification and characterization of virulence factors and in the ability to study these determinants in vivo. The H. mustelae ferret model has been thoroughly characterized and is the only naturally-infected animal model to develop ulcer disease. Several isogenic mutant strains of H. mustelae lacking individual virulence factors have been constructed and offer a unique opportunity to investigate the mechanisms of Helicobacter pathogenesis. The objectives of this research are to characterize the virulence factors of H. mustelae and to conduct in vivo infection studies using isogenic mutant strains of H. mustelae in the ferret model. Characterization of the effects of individual virulence determinants will increase our understanding of Helicobacter pathogenesis and assist in therapeutic and preventative measures.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08AI001407-04
Application #
2694886
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Project Start
1996-09-30
Project End
2001-02-28
Budget Start
1998-09-01
Budget End
2001-02-28
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111
Andrutis, K A; Riggle, P J; Kumamoto, C A et al. (2000) Intestinal lesions associated with disseminated candidiasis in an experimental animal model. J Clin Microbiol 38:2317-23
Riggle, P J; Andrutis, K A; Chen, X et al. (1999) Invasive lesions containing filamentous forms produced by a Candida albicans mutant that is defective in filamentous growth in culture. Infect Immun 67:3649-52
Andrutis, K A; Fox, J G; Schauer, D B et al. (1997) Infection of the ferret stomach by isogenic flagellar mutant strains of Helicobacter mustelae. Infect Immun 65:1962-6