Campylobacter colitis in gnotobiotic dogs
Prescott, J.F.; Barker, I.K.
Veterinary Record 107(13): 314-315
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7210432 Document Number: 160156
Six gnotobiotic beagle puppies aged 2-3 weeks were given by mouth two isolates of C. jejuni from a human patient and a dog with diarrhoea. Results were similar with the two isolates. The organism established readily in the intestine (mean of 2.4 x 1010/g colonic contents). After 36-43 hours the puppies became quieter, less playful and slept more, and the faeces became loose but not blood-stained; no increase in temperature was noted. Unproductive straining was seen periodically. Two puppies killed 43 hours after infection had lesions confined to the intestines: patchy colonic congestion; oedematous colonic wall; congested mesenteric lymph nodes; thickened, corrugated small intestine. Two puppies killed after five days showed slight congestion and liquid content in the colon. No gross changes were seen in puppies killed after 7 days. Histological changes in the caecum and colon at 43 hours included: reduction in the height of the surface epithelium with loss of the brush border; reduced number of goblet cells; subepithelial congestion, haemorrhage and neutrophilic infiltration into the superficial lamina propria which was oedematous; at 5-7 days after infection, these lesions were less severe.