title: Intrauterine inoculation of minipigs with Chlamydia trachomatis during diestrus establishes a longer lasting infection compared to vaginal inoculation during estrus.
abstract: Advanced animal models, such as minipigs, are needed for the development of a globally requested human Chlamydia vaccine. Previous studies have shown that vaginal inoculation of sexually mature Göttingen minipigs with Chlamydia trachomatis resulted in an infection lasting only 3-5 days. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of targeting the upper porcine genital tract by transcervical and transabdominal intrauterine inoculation, compared to previously performed vaginal inoculation. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of the hormonal cycle, estrus vs. diestrus, on the establishment of a C. trachomatis infection in the minipig. Targeting the upper genital tract (transcervical inoculation) resulted in a longer lasting infection (at least 7 days) compared to vaginal inoculation (3-5 days). When comparing intrauterine inoculation during estrus and diestrus, inoculation during diestrus resulted in a longer lasting infection (at least 10 days) compared to estrus (3-5 days). Furthermore, we found a significant C. trachomatis specific IFN-γ response in pigs inoculated during estrus correlating with the accelerated clearance of infection in these pigs. These findings suggest that for implementation of an optimal model of C. trachomatis in minipigs, inoculation should bypass the cervix and preferable be performed during diestrus.
authors.affiliation: Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark; Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Artillerivej 5, 2300, København S, Denmark. Electronic address: emmalorenzen@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lorenzen
authors.affiliation: Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Artillerivej 5, 2300, København S, Denmark.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Follmann
authors.affiliation: Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Secher
authors.affiliation: Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goericke-Pesch
authors.affiliation: Section for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 27, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mette S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zakariassen
authors.affiliation: Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Artillerivej 5, 2300, København S, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anja W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: Chlamydia Vaccine Research, Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Artillerivej 5, 2300, København S, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Section for Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 27, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Gregers
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jungersen
authors.affiliation: Section for Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 68, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jørgen S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Agerholm
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004031:Diestrus; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis; Minipig model; Sexually transmitted disease