Selective association and transport of Campylobacter jejuni through M cells of rabbit Peyer's patches

M cells in the Peyer's patches may facilitate transport of pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni from the intestine. We evaluated this hypothesis by using electron microscopy to examine Peyer's patches in ligated adult rabbit ileal loops inoculated with 5-mL suspensions of 10(9) cfu/mL of Campylobacter jejuni. Peyer's patches taken at intervals from 15 min to 2 h after inoculation of loops in anaesthetized rabbits provided evidence that Campylobacter jejuni selectively adhered to M cells as opposed to absorptive epithelial cells and was transported, apparently intact, into the M cell follicle. Although intercellular organisms were seen within the follicle, many others were phagocytosed by lymphoid cells. The proximity of the lymphatic and blood circulatory systems to the M cell follicle makes this a probable route for systemic spread of Campylobacter jejuni.