Consistent with our previous finding of higher H. pylori colonization in Muc1−/− mice 24 h after infection, we found that Muc1−/− mice displayed ~10-fold greater levels of H. pylori colonization in the stomach compared with wild-type (WT) mice as early as 8 h post-infection (P = 0.0003), consistent with a deficit in pre-existing or rapidly-induced innate defense. The gene discussed is MUC1; the disease is infection.