Objective.The aim of this study was to determine if vaginal application of the immune response modifier imiquimod (Aldara cream, 3M Pharmaceuticals, St Paul, Minn) would alter the course and/or outcome of female genital tract infection with a human isolate ofChlamydia trachomatisin a murine model.Methods.Groups of CF-1 mice were treated with Aldara on three different schedules: (1) ongoing beginning 5 days prior to and continuing through day 5 of infection; (2) a single prophylactic dose 2 hours prior to infection; and (3) therapeutic from day 4 to day 14 of infection. Mice were infected vaginally with a serovar D strain ofC trachomatis, and monitored by culture to determine the level of shedding and duration of infection.Results.We observed a significant reduction in both duration of infection and the level of shedding during the acute phase in mice treated on an ongoing basis commencing 5 days prior to infection. There was no effect with respect to the other regimens.Conclusion.These results demonstrate that ongoing Aldara treatment has efficacy and may enhance local innate immunity which reduces the duration of subsequent infection with human isolates ofC trachomatisin a murine model of female genital tract infection.
Efficacy of an Immune Modulator in ExperimentalChlamydia trachomatisInfection of the Female Genital Tract
