DNA immunization with pgp3 gene of Chlamydia trachomatis inhibits the spread of chlamydial infection from the lower to the upper genital tract in C3H/HeN mice

摘要

Chlamydia trachomatis pgp3 DNA immunized (no. 300) and non-immunized (no. 300) C3H/HeN mice were infected by vaginal inoculation with infectious C trachomatis serotype D elementary bodies (EB3s) and the spread of infection to the salpinges was assessed by cell culture isolation from tissue homogenates 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days post-infection (p.i.). Overall, the pgp3-DNA immunization prevented salpinx infection in 94 (56%) mice, if compared with the 168 positive animals found among the non-immunized animals (P < 0.001).