Urease as a Colonisation Factor in Helicobacter

Abstract

Urease secretion by Helicobacter species may be a mechanism for survival against acid in the stomach. However, since the bacteria reside predominantly underneath the overlying mucus layer on the mucosa, the major exposure to acid is likely to be during transit across the gastric lumen upon initial colonisation. It is probable, therefore, that urease inhibition during this period may interfere with gastric mucosal colonisation. We have studied the role of urease in the colonisation of naive, infant ferrets with H. mustelae (Hm) using four different approaches: (a) challenge with a urease negative mutant, (b) challenge with Hm grown in the presence of a urease inhibitor, (c) dosing of animals with a urease inhibitor prior to challenge and (d) dosing of animals with inhibitor after suppression of Hm with a bismuth salt.