Specific-pathogen-free pigs as an animal model for studying Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection

Infect Immun. 2005 Dec;73(12):8317-21. doi: 10.1128/IAI.73.12.8317-8321.2005.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate pigs as a large-animal model for female genital infection with two Chlamydia trachomatis human serovar E strains. Sixteen-week-old specific-pathogen-free female pigs (gilts) were intravaginally infected with the trachoma type E reference strain Bour or the urogenital serovar E strain 468. Several conclusions can be drawn from our findings on the pathogenicity of a primary C. trachomatis genital infection in gilts. First of all, we demonstrated that the serovar E strains Bour and 468 could ascend in the genital tract of gilts. The serovar E strains could replicate in the superficial columnar cervical epithelium and in the superficial epithelial layer of the uterus, which are known to be the specific target sites for a C. trachomatis genital infection in women. Second, inflammation and pathology occurred at the replication sites. Third, the organisms could trigger a humoral immune response, as demonstrated by the presence of immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA in both serum and genital secretion samples. Our findings imply that the pig model might be useful for studying the pathology, pathogenesis, and immune response to a C. trachomatis infection of the genital system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Chlamydia Infections / immunology
  • Chlamydia Infections / microbiology*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / immunology
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / isolation & purification
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / pathogenicity*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / immunology
  • Genital Diseases, Female / microbiology*
  • Genitalia, Female / microbiology
  • Genitalia, Female / pathology
  • Immunoglobulins / blood
  • Swine / immunology
  • Swine / microbiology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins