MALToma-like lesions in the murine gastric mucosa after long-term infection with Helicobacter felis. A mouse model of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric lymphoma.

The long-term consequences of helicobacter infection were observed in an established murine model of human helicobacter infection. Stomachs of specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice infected with Helicobacter felis were examined for inflammation with particular reference to lymphoid cell proliferation and lymphoepithelial lesions. There was little evidence of an inflammatory response in animals sacrificed up to 19 months after infection. In contrast, from 22 months, 38% of infected animals had lymphoid follicles, whereas no lymphoid follicles were found in noninfected control animals. Lymphoepithelial lesions were observed in 25% of infected mice compared with none in controls. Immunostaining confirmed the B-cell nature of the lymphoid infiltrate. The morphology of these lesions closely resemble those seen in human gastric MALToma. This animal model would provide an opportunity to study the pathogenesis of lymphoproliferative disease.