Reducing the Risk of Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Tract Infection by Evaluating the Prophylactic Potential of Vaginally Applied Chemicals
- 1 October 1995
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Clinical Infectious Diseases
- Vol. 21 (Supplement) , S174-S177
- https://doi.org/10.1093/clinids/21.supplement_2.s174
Abstract
The need to providewomen with a partner-independent method of prophylaxisagainst sexually transmitted disease (STD) agents, including Chlamydia trachomatis, has led to a directed effort to developa vaginallyapplied,broad-spectrumantimicrobialpreparation that is both safeand effective. Usinga murine model of C. trachomatis lowergenital tract infection,wetested the abilityof various vaginallyapplied chemicalsto alter the course of infectionin femalemicechallengedwith infectious doses ranging from 103 to 106 inclusionforming units of an oculogenital serovar of C. trachomatis. When administered in a methylcelluloselpropylene glycol-based gel 15 minutes prior to challenge, four widely used topical antimicrobials (benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, nonoxynol-9, and polymyxin B) wereshown to protect against infection.These results support the possibility that this type of interventional method may be a clinically relevant means of prophylaxis against sexually transmitted infection with C. trachomatis, the most common bacterial STD agent.Keywords
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