Rectal administration of a chlamydial subunit vaccine protects against genital infection and upper reproductive tract pathology in mice.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that rectal immunization with a VCG-based chlamydial vaccine would cross-protect mice against heterologous genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection and Chlamydia-induced upper genital tract pathologies in mice. Female mice were immunized with a C. trachomatis serovar D-derived subunit vaccine or control or live serovar D elementary bodies (EBs) and the antigen-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses were characterized. Vaccine efficacy was determined by evaluating the intensity and duration of genital chlamydial shedding following intravaginal challenge with live serovar E chlamydiae. Protection against upper genital tract pathology was determined by assessing infertility and tubal inflammation. Rectal immunization elicited high levels of chlam

SUBMITTER: Pais R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5453548 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature