Histopathologic changes related to fibrotic oviduct occlusion after genital tract infection of mice with Chlamydia muridarum.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine if intraluminal occluding fibrosis of the oviduct occurs after urogenital Chlamydia muridarum infection in mice.


METHODS
Oviduct occlusion was assessed by infusing dye into the distal uterus and tracking the diffusion of the dye into the oviduct. We also conducted histologic assessment of the affected tissues using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome stains.


RESULTS
All previously infected susceptible mice had occluded oviducts compared with 17.5% of previously uninfected mice. Oviduct occlusion correlated with hydrosalpinx formation and infertility. Intraluminal oviduct fibrosis was observed in several sections of tissue displaying hydrosalpinx but not in tissues without hydrosalpinx. Fibrosis was localized to the oviduct isthmus and oviduct proper, proximal to the uterus.


CONCLUSIONS
Intralumenal occluding fibrosis of the oviduct is a sequela of infection with C. muridarum in this model. These observations support the use of the murine model to study pathogenesis of chlamydial upper genital tract infection.
Shah
Anita A
AA
Department of Microbiology, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, 555 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA.
Schripsema
Justin H
JH
Imtiaz
Mohammad T
MT
Sigar
Ira M
IM
Kasimos
John
J
Matos
Peter G
PG
Inouye
Sandra
S
Ramsey
Kyle H
KH
D000818:Animals; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D023502:Chlamydia muridarum; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010057:Oviducts / Q000473:pathology; D012488:Salpingitis / Q000473:pathology*