Enhanced Immune Response in the Urinary Tract of the Rat Following Vaginal Immunization

Abstract
The immune response in the rat urinary tract was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for Ig following vaginal immunization and subsequent intravesical challenge with live Escherichia coli 06. Vaginally immunized rats showed a strong and rapid bladder immune response following intravesical challenge, in contrast to nonimmunized control rats. The immune response was localized to the urinary tract in the antibody to E. coli 06 was not detected in serum, saliva and vaginal washes from immunized rats.