University of Illinois Veterinary Student Summer Research Training Program
2008 Mentor Profile
Karen Terio
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Project Description:
Immune responses to Helicobacter sp. in cheetahs with and without gastritis
PI: Dr. Karen Terio, University of Illinois Zoological Pathology Program
Helicobacter sp. are an important cause of gastritis and ulcers in humans, however, not all infected humans develop disease. Many animals are also infected with gastric Helicobacter sp., but few develop spontaneous disease further suggesting that Helicobacter sp. can be commensal organisms. Differences in bacterial strain do not explain differences in disease prevalence thus host responses are thought to be a critical component in pathogenesis. Clear differences in disease prevalence are noted in populations of cheetah. Captive cheetah have a high prevalence (>95%) of severe gastritis while wild cheetah rarely develop gastritis (<11%). Our previous research documented identical strains of bacteria in captive cheetahs with severe gastritis and wild cheetahs without gastritis suggesting that differences in the host response to infection are more important than bacterial factors for disease development. We are now investigating levels of inflammatory mediators (cytokines) to Helicobacter sp. infection to better understand the host immune response. Using real-time quantitative PCR, cytokine gene expression will be compared between captive cheetahs with severe gastritis and wild cheetahs without gastritis. Through a greater understanding of host response to infection in this natural disease model of Helicobacter infection it is hoped that we can better understand the pathogenesis of this disease for the benefit of all species.