title: Characterization of in vitro Chlamydia muridarum persistence and utilization in an in vivo mouse model of Chlamydia vaccine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infections are easily treated with antibiotics; however, the majority of infections are asymptomatic and therefore untreated, highlighting the need for a vaccine. Because most infections are asymptomatic, vaccination could potentially be administered to individuals who may have an acute infection at that time. In such individuals, the effect of vaccination on the existing infection is unknown; however, one potential outcome could be the development of a persistent infection. In vitro chlamydial persistence has been well characterized in various strains; however, there have been no reported studies in C. muridarum.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed ultrastructural characterization and transcriptome analysis of selected genes. We then used the transcriptional profiles of the selected genes to examine whether intranasal immunization of mice during an active genital infection would induce persistence in the upper reproductive tract of female mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that persistence developed in the oviducts of mice as a result of immunization. This is a significant finding, not only because it is the first time that C. muridarum persistence has been characterized in vitro, but also due to the fact that there is a minimal characterization of in vivo persistence of any chlamydial species. This highlights the importance of the timing of vaccination in individuals.
authors: Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Alison J
authors: AJ
authors: Carey
authors: Wilhelmina M
authors: WM
authors: Huston
authors: Kelly A
authors: KA
authors: Cunningham
authors: Louise M
authors: LM
authors: Hafner
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Timms
authors: Kenneth W
authors: KW
authors: Beagley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D023502:Chlamydia muridarum / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D059467:Transcriptome; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines