PCR-based detection of Helicobacter spp. in mice from different animal houses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Pathogenic microbial detection and control in breeding and experimental laboratory animal facilities is essential to guarantee animal welfare, data validity and reproducibility. Helicobacter spp. is known to severely affect mice health, mainly in immunocompromised strains, what may affect experimental outcomes. This study aimed to screen for Helicobacter spp. in mice from four different animal houses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil using a PCR for 16S ribosomal RNA. A pair of primers was designed to specifically identify Helicobacter species that commonly infect laboratory mice. Following PCR reaction, the expected 375 base pairs (bp) amplification product was purified, sequenced and showed a 95% similarity when compared to deposited sequences of Helicobacter hepaticus and Helicobacter bilis. Then, the presence of Helicobacter spp. in both feces and intestines samples was analyzed. Helicobacter spp DNA was detected in 59.6% of the fecal and 70.17% of the intestine samples. Although Helicobacter spp screening is recommended by institutional animal health monitoring programs worldwide it is still not mandatory by Brazilian animal welfare regulation. Our study, the first to monitor Helicobacter species in laboratory mice in Brazil, demonstrates the possibility of using a low cost, rapid molecular diagnostic test to screen Helicobacter and highlights the importance of regular microbiological verification of mice used for research in Brazilian animal houses.