Newborn piglet model for campylobacteriosis.

An in vivo model system for human campylobacteriosis has been developed in which colostrum-deprived newborn piglets are orally challenged with an invasive strain of Campylobacter jejuni. Piglets developed clinical symptoms and histopathological lesions similar to those observed in humans infected with C. jejuni. Gross lesion examination at autopsy revealed the presence of edema, hyperemia, and mucus. Histopathologic examinations by light and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated damage to surface epithelial cells with the presence of intracellular bacteria, mainly in the large intestine. Similar lesions were not demonstrated in control piglets.