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Colonization of the Cecal Mucosa by Helicobacter hepaticus Impacts the Diversity of the Indigenous Microbiota

Carole J. Kuehl,^1, Heather D. Wood,¹ Terence L. Marsh,^1,2 Thomas M. Schmidt,^1,2 and Vincent B. Young^1,3,4*

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics,¹ Center for Microbial Ecology,² Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine,³ National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824⁴

Received 16 February 2005/ Returned for modification 1 May 2005/ Accepted 8 June 2005

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 resulting from the relative dominance of H. hepaticus as a member of the community. Our results demonstrate that invasion of the complex gastrointestinal microbial community by a pathogenic microorganism causes reproducible and significant disturbances in the community structure. The use of non-culture-based methods to monitor these changes should lead to a greater understanding of the ecological principles that govern pathogen invasion and may lead to novel methods for the prevention and control of gastrointestinal pathogens.

Editor: V. J. DiRita

Present address: Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239.

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