In vitro activity of nonoxynol-9 on McCoy cells infected with Chlamydia trachomatis.
Nonoxynol-9, a nonionic detergent and active ingredient in spermicidal contraceptives, has been reported to have anti-chlamydial properties. However, in this study exposure of elementary bodies of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E to nonoxynol-9 (12.5-10,000 micrograms/ml) had no effect on chlamydial infectivity. In contrast, uninfected McCoy cells incubated with increasing concentrations of nonoxynol-9 over 72 h displayed dose-related cytotoxicity. When infected McCoy cells were exposed to nonoxynol-9, the developing chlamydial inclusions did not stain with iodine even though they were similar in number and appearance to the inclusions in unexposed, infected monolayers. Transmission electron microscopy of nonoxynol-treated, infected cells revealed apparent damage to the inclusion membrane and reticulate bodies within. The infectivity of the chlamydiae in the iodine-negative inclusions on subpassage was only 0.3%. We conclude that the primary action of nonoxynol-9 is on the McCoy cell and that there may be secondary effects on the intracellular parasite.
Knight
S T
ST
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27514.
Lee
S H
SH
Davis
C H
CH
Moorman
D R
DR
Hodinka
R L
RL
Wyrick
P B
PB
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D017137:Nonoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013089:Spermatocidal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013089:Spermatocidal Agents; D017137:Nonoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols