Utilization of monoclonal antibodies to evaluate the involvement of Campylobacter jejuni in proliferative ileitis in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetis auratus)

Abstract

The role of Campylobacterjejuni in the pathogenesis of proliferative ileitis in Syrian hamsters was evaluated with monoclonal antibodies of different specificities. Monoclonal antibodies were produced with two different specificities: one for all members of the genus Campylobacter tested (antibody 8322-2E6) and one for C. jejuni and Campylobacter coli (antibodies 841-2A11, 841-4C6, and 841-5B1). Ileal sections from healthy hamsters, from hamsters with naturally occurring proliferative ileitis, and from hamsters with experimentally induced proliferative ileitis were examined by using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled, Campylobacter sp.-specific 8322-2E6 and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-labeled C. jejuni-C. coli-specific 841-2A11 for direct duallabeling immunofluorescence. Organisms which stained with the C. jejuni-C. coli-specific monoclonal antibody were observed in the ileal lumens and along the distal tips of the villi of hamsters with either experimentally induced or naturally occurring proliferative ileitis. In contrast, organisms identified by the Campylobacter sp.-specific monoclonal antibody were present deep within the villus lumens and crypts and intracellularly within the apical portions of the epithelial cells. No organisms stained with the C. jejuni-C. coli-specific monoclonal antibody were observed in ileal sections from control hamsters; an occasional intracellular organism stained with the Campylobacter sp.-specific monoclonal antibody was observed in 2 of 10 control hamsters. Thus, at least two immunologically distinct patterns were identified in ileal sections from hamsters with proliferative ileitis. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the organism seen intracellularly in ileal sections from hamsters with proliferative ileitis is a member of the genus Campylobacter but that it probably is not C. jejuni or C. coli.

Isolation of an intracellular bacterium from hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) with proliferative ileitis and reproduction of the disease with a pure culture

“…The organism continued to multiply in the original cell cultures (with additional 2:1 splittings on days 14, 18, and 20) through day 19 ml of infected supernatant per 25-cm2 surface area). During the first five passages in cell culture, intracellular organisms could be detected by phase microscopy within 72 h of infection, with the interval between infection and microscopic detection decreasing in later passages.…”

“…Proliferative ileitis (transmissible ileal hyperplasia, wet tail) is a serious infectious disease of hamsters characterized by hyperplasia of the ileal epithelium and pyogranulomatous inflammation. Light microscopic studies have revealed a gram-negative, slightly curved bacillus within the hyperplastic ileal epithelial cells (6)(7)(8)19). Ultrastructurally, the intracellular bacterium resembles members of the genus Campylobacter (2,9,20).…”

Antigenic analysis of Campylobacter species and an intracellular Campylobacter-like organism associated with porcine proliferative enteropathies

“…Intracellular Campylobacter-like organisms in lesions of hamsters with proliferative enteritis have been reacted previously with monoclonal antibodies to C. jejuni with negative results, suggesting that the intracellular organisms were distinct from recognized Campylobacter spp. (27). However, that study did not include antibodies specific to the intracellular organisms.…”

Isolation of a Campylobacter-like organism from healthy Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

“…We have previously reported the presence of intracellular Campylobacter-like organisms in normal hamsters (15,16). These organisms were demonstrated during immunofluorescence studies with a monoclonal antibody that has consistently recognized all Campylobacter species tested.…”

“…Light and electron microscopic studies of ileal sections from hamsters with proliferative ileitis (4,7,17) have also implicated members of the genus Campylobacter. Recent studies, however, have suggested that C. jejuni is only minimally involved in the pathogenesis of proliferative ileitis and that other members of the genus Campylobacter may be involved (15,16).…”