Evaluation of experimental therapeutics in a new mouse model of Helicobacter felis utilizing 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction for detection.

Background: A new mouse model of Helicobacter felis infection, which mimics the human infection observed with H. pylori, has recently been developed utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence for detection of infection. Methods: We tested several therapeutic regimens in this model, including some currently utilized in the clinic and some shown ineffective in the clinic. Results: The therapeutic results obtained by PCR with this model are consistent with results observed in the published human H. pylori clinical trials and also with results obtained in another H. felis mouse model utilizing culture and histology. Conclusions: These results support further use of this new model in screening for new therapeutic regimens for the management of Helicobacter disease.