Colonization of the cecal mucosa by Helicobacter hepaticus impacts the diversity of the indigenous microbiota.

ABSTRACT: Establishment of mucosal and/or luminal colonization is the first step in the pathogenesis of many gastrointestinal bacterial pathogens. The pathogen must be able to establish itself in the face of competition from the complex microbial community that is already in place. We used culture-independent methods to monitor the colonization of the cecal mucosa of Helicobacter-free mice following experimental infection with the pathogen Helicobacter hepaticus. Two days after infection, H. hepaticus comprised a minor component of the mucosa-associated microbiota, but within 14 days, it became the dominant member of the community. Colonization of the mucosa by H. hepaticus was associated with a decrease in the overall diversity of the microbial community, in large part due to changes in evenness re

SUBMITTER: Kuehl CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1230902 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature