title: A mouse model for Chlamydia suis genital infection.
abstract: A mouse model for Chlamydia suis genital infection was developed. Ninety-nine mice were randomly divided into three groups and intravaginally inoculated with chlamydia: 45 mice (group 1) received C. suis purified elementary bodies (EBs), 27 (group 2) were inoculated with C. trachomatis genotype E EBs and 27 mice (group 3) with C. trachomatis genotype F EBs. Additionally, 10 mice were used as a negative control. At seven days post-infection (dpi) secretory anti-C. suis IgA were recovered from vaginal swabs of all C. suis inoculated mice. Chlamydia suis was isolated from 93, 84, 71 and 33% vaginal swabs at 3, 5, 7 and 12 dpi. Chlamydia trachomatis genotype E and F were isolated from 100% vaginal swabs up to 7 dpi and from 61 and 72%, respectively, at 12 dpi. Viable C. suis and C. trachomatis organisms were isolated from uterus and tubes up to 16 and 28 dpi, respectively. The results of the present study show the susceptibility of mice to intravaginal inoculation with C. suis. A more rapid course and resolution of C. suis infection, in comparison to C. trachomatis, was highlighted. The mouse model could be useful for comparative investigations involving C. suis and C. trachomatis species.
authors: Section of Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy manuela.donati@unibo.it.
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Donati
authors: Section of Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Di Paolo
authors: Section of Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Favaroni
authors: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Aldini
authors: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors: Antonietta
authors: A
authors: Di Francesco
authors: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Ostanello
authors: Section of Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Biondi
authors: Section of Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors: Eleonora
authors: E
authors: Cremonini
authors: Section of Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Ginocchietti
authors: Section of Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Cevenini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002689:Chlamydia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D060737:Reproductive Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000382:microbiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory
keywords: Chlamydiaceae; genital challenge; murine challenge