IMMUNITY TO REINFECTION OF THE GENITAL-TRACT OF MARMOSETS WITH CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 62  (6) , 606-613
Abstract
Eleven marmosets inoculated intravaginally with either of 2 serotypes (D/E and H) of Chlamydia trachomatis developed a self-limited infection which persisted usually for 10-42 days. Animals reinoculated on 1 or more occasions were infected generally for a shorter duration, usually 3-7 days. Curtailed infections were observed after reinoculation with either the same or a different serotype, indicating that immunity was not serotype-specific but cross-protective. IgM and/or IgG chlamydial antibody, measured by micro-immunofluorescence, developed in most of the marmosets on primary infection and was not serotype-specific. The antibody titers were boosted on reinfection and there was a correlation between pre-existing high antibody titers and infections of short duration. Chlamydial infection of the genital tract was accompanied by acute inflammation which persisted in about half of the immune animals for up to several weeks despite rapid clearance of the organisms. These features of the experimental infection should help to provide a greater understanding of the immunobiology and pathogensis of chlamydial genital-tract infections of humans.