scholarly journals Transcutaneous Immunization with Combined Cholera Toxin and CpG Adjuvant Protects against Chlamydia muridarum Genital Tract Infection

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 1019-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda J. Berry ◽  
Danica K. Hickey ◽  
Kathryn A. Skelding ◽  
Shisan Bao ◽  
Amanda M. Rendina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tract Infection ◽  
Cholera Toxin ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Genital Tract Infection ◽  
Cpg Oligodeoxynucleotides ◽  
Ascending Infection ◽  
Transcutaneous Immunization ◽  
Specific Igg

ABSTRACT Chlamydia trachomatis is a pathogen of the genital tract and ocular epithelium. Infection is established by the binding of the metabolically inert elementary body (EB) to epithelial cells. These are taken up by endocytosis into a membrane-bound vesicle termed an inclusion. The inclusion avoids fusion with host lysosomes, and the EBs differentiate into the metabolically active reticulate body (RB), which replicates by binary fission within the protected environment of the inclusion. During the extracellular EB stage of the C. trachomatis life cycle, antibody present in genital tract or ocular secretions can inhibit infection both in vivo and in tissue culture. The RB, residing within the intracellular inclusion, is not accessible to antibody, and resolution of infection at this stage requires a cell-mediated immune response mediated by gamma interferon-secreting Th1 cells. Thus, an ideal vaccine to protect against C. trachomatis genital tract infection should induce both antibody (immunoglobulin A [IgA] and IgG) responses in mucosal secretions to prevent infection by chlamydial EB and a strong Th1 response to limit ascending infection to the uterus and fallopian tubes. In the present study we show that transcutaneous immunization with major outer membrane protein (MOMP) in combination with both cholera toxin and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides elicits MOMP-specific IgG and IgA in vaginal and uterine lavage fluid, MOMP-specific IgG in serum, and gamma interferon-secreting T cells in reproductive tract-draining caudal and lumbar lymph nodes. This immunization protocol resulted in enhanced clearance of C. muridarum (C. trachomatis, mouse pneumonitis strain) following intravaginal challenge of BALB/c mice.

Anaerobes in ejaculates of subfertile men

1995 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 462-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waltraud Eggert-Kruse ◽  
Gerhard Rohr ◽  
Wolfram Ströck ◽  
Susanne Pohl ◽  
Beate Schwalbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tract Infection ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Cervical Mucus ◽  
Anaerobic Growth ◽  
Pathogenic Species ◽  
Genital Tract Infection ◽  
Micro Organisms

Abstract The clinical significance of micro-organisms in semen samples of asymptomatic subfertile patients is a matter of constant debate. Usually little attention is paid to anaerobic bacteria as they are sensitive to transportation and culturing, and differentiation is difficult, costly and time-consuming. In the present study, special screening was carried out for anaerobes in ejaculates in addition to the routine microbial cultures of genital secretions of both partners. In addition to standard semen analysis and evaluation of sperm ability to penetrate cervical mucus (CM) in vivo (postcoital testing) and in vitro using a standardized test system, semen samples from 126 randomly chosen males of couples with a median duration of infertility of 4 years were examined for colonization with anaerobic bacteria. All couples were without clinical signs or symptoms of genital tract infection. The special care taken for anaerobic growth in semen samples gave a high rate of positive cultures and showed that nearly all ejaculates (99%) were colonized with anaerobic micro-organisms, and potentially pathogenic species were found in 71% of men. This rate was more than four times higher than that obtained with routine cultures and standard transportation (16%). Anaerobic bacterial growth of ≥106 colony forming units (CFU)/ml was seen in 42% (total range 103-108 CFU/ml). In addition, aerobic growth was found in 96%(≥106 CFU/ml in 21%), potentially pathogenic species in 61% of semen specimens. There were no marked differences in the prevalence of anaerobic micro-organisms in patients with reduced or normal sperm count, motility or morphology. Nor was there any significant difference in anaerobic colonization between samples with impaired or good ability to penetrate CM of female partners (in vivo or in vitro), or the CM of fertile donors in the in-vitro sperm-cervical mucus penetration test (SCMPT) in this asymptomatic group of patients. There was no clear association between microbial colonization and subsequent fertility in vivo within an observation period of 6 months. The results of this study suggest that anaerobic bacteria are often not detected when routine methods for microbial evaluation are used. This should be considered during assisted reproduction and in patients with symptoms of genital tract infection and should lead to further studies in infertile patients where subclinical infection or inflammation is indicated by specific markers in semen samples.

scholarly journals Animal Models of Ascending Genital-Tract Infection in Pregnancy

1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. McDuffie ◽  
Ronald S. Gibbs
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Cytokine Therapy ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Genital Tract Infection ◽  
Ascending Infection ◽  
In Pregnancy

This article reviews animal models currently used for investigation of ascending genital-tract infection in pregnancy. The specific models reviewed are those in the rabbit, monkey, and mouse. These models investigate both the direct effects of bacteria in the setting of ascending infection and the role of cytokines produced by the immune system. For each model, experiments that delineate the pathophysiology of ascending genital-tract infection in pregnancy are described. Intervention experiments, including the use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, immunotherapy, and anti-cytokine therapy, are described. Comparison of these models is made with respect to pathogenesis in humans, reproducibility, anatomy, and cost.

Gonococcal Adaptation to Palmitic Acid Through farAB Expression and FadD Activity Mutations Increases In Vivo Fitness in a Murine Genital Tract Infection Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingyu Gao ◽  
Zhemin Wang ◽  
Stijn van der Veen
Keyword(s):  
Tract Infection ◽  
Palmitic Acid ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Serial Passage ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Genital Tract Infection ◽  
Long Chain

Abstract Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a bacterial pathogen that colonizes mucosal epithelia that are rich in antimicrobial molecules such as long-chain fatty acids. Here we studied the mechanisms involved in palmitic acid resistance and their impact on in vivo biological fitness in a murine genital tract infection model. A stable palmitic acid-resistant derivative was obtained by serial passage with incremental palmitic acid concentrations. This derivative outcompeted its parent strain for colonization and survival in the murine infection model. Subsequent whole-genome sequencing resulted in the identification of the 3 resistance-related SNPs ihfAC5T, fadDC772T, and farAG-52T (promoter) that were verified for resistance against palmitic acid. Subsequent characterization of the associated resistance determinants showed that ihfAC5T and farAG-52T induced gene expression of the FarAB efflux pump, whereas fadDC772T increased the maximum enzyme activity of the FadD long-chain fatty acid-coenzyme A ligase. Our results highlight the mechanisms involved in gonococcal adaptation to the murine host environment.

scholarly journals Neisseria gonorrhoeae Catalase Is Not Required for Experimental Genital Tract Infection despite the Induction of a Localized Neutrophil Response

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 2225-2233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángel A. Soler-García ◽  
Ann E. Jerse
Keyword(s):  
Tract Infection ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Antioxidant Defenses ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Genital Tract Infection ◽  
Estradiol Treatment ◽  
Significant Difference

ABSTRACT Neisseria gonorrhoeae produces several antioxidant defenses, including high levels of catalase, which may facilitate the persistence during an inflammatory response via neutralization of H2O2 produced by phagocytes. In vivo testing of the role of catalase in gonococcal survival is critical since several physiological factors impact interactions between N. gonorrhoeae and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Here we assessed the importance of gonococcal catalase in a surrogate model of female genital tract infection. Female BALB/c mice were treated with 17-β estradiol to promote susceptibility to N. gonorrhoeae and inoculated intravaginally with wild-type gonococci or a catalase (kat) deletion mutant. A localized PMN influx occurred in an average of 43 and 81% of mice infected with wild-type or kat mutant gonococci, respectively, and PMNs associated with numerous wild-type or catalase-deficient bacteria were observed in vaginal smears. The combined results of six experiments showed a significant difference in the number of days wild-type bacteria were recovered compared to the catalase-deficient gonococci. However, there was much variability between experiments, and we found no correlation between PMN influx, colonization load, and clearance of wild-type or kat mutant bacteria. Estradiol treatment did not impair bacterial uptake, the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response, or the killing capacity of isolated murine PMNs against N. gonorrhoeae or Staphylococcus aureus. Our data suggest N. gonorrhoeae is not significantly challenged by H2O2 produced by PMNs in the murine lower genital tract; alternatively, redundant defense mechanisms may protect the gonococcus from reactive oxygen species during infection.

scholarly journals Role of Gamma Interferon in Controlling Murine Chlamydial Genital Tract Infection

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 5518-5521 ◽  
Author(s):  
James I. Ito ◽  
Joseph M. Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Chlamydial Infection ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Genital Tract Infection ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Female Genital

ABSTRACT Earlier investigations have not shown an important role for gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in the early clearance of chlamydial infection from the murine female genital tract. In a model using a human genital isolate of Chlamydia trachomatis in IFN-γ and IFN-γ receptor knockout mice, we were able to demonstrate a major role for IFN-γ in mediating control of infection throughout the course of infection.

scholarly journals Resolution of Secondary Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Tract Infection in Immune Mice with Depletion of Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 2643-2649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra G. Morrison ◽  
Richard P. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Delayed Type Hypersensitivity ◽  
Predominant Role ◽  
Genital Tract Infection

ABSTRACT The essential role of T cells in the resolution of primary murineChlamydia trachomatis genital tract infection is inarguable; however, much less is known about the mechanisms that confer resistance to reinfection. We previously established that CD4+ T cells and B cells contribute importantly to resistance to reinfection. In our current studies, we demonstrate that immune mice concurrently depleted of both CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells resisted reinfection as well as immunocompetent wild-type mice. The in vivo depletion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells resulted in diminished chlamydia-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, but antichlamydial antibody responses were unaffected. Our data indicate that immunity to chlamydial genital tract reinfection does not rely solely upon immune CD4+ or CD8+ T cells and further substantiate a predominant role for additional effector immune responses, such as B cells, in resistance to chlamydial genital tract reinfection.

scholarly journals Histopathologic Changes Related to Fibrotic Oviduct Occlusion After Genital Tract Infection of Mice With Chlamydia muridarum

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita A. Shah ◽  
Justin H. Schripsema ◽  
Mohammad T. Imtiaz ◽  
Ira M. Sigar ◽  
John Kasimos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tract Infection ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Genital Tract Infection ◽  
Chlamydia Muridarum ◽  
Histopathologic Changes
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