Splenic cellular antigen-specific IFN-γ response following immunization.

<p>C57BL/6 mice (3 mice/group) were treated i.n. with <i>C. pneumoniae</i> (1×10⁶ IFU/mouse), or <i>C. muridarum</i> (0.5×10³ IFU/mouse) in 25 µl of PBS, or PBS alone (mock). On day 14, animals were euthanized and splenocytes were tested by ELISA for antigen-specific IFN-γ production against <i>C. mur</i>, <i>C. tra,</i> or the unrelated antigen BSA. Cells cultured in media alone were used to evaluate baseline cytokine production from isolated splenocytes. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM of IFN-γ production per culture condition. *Significant (P<0.05, ANOVA) differences in IFN-γ production from splenocytes of <i>C. pne</i> versus <i>C. mur</i> immunized mice upon stimulation with <i>C. mur</i> or <i>C. tra</i>. Results are representative of two independent experiments.</p

The incidence and severity of oviduct pathology after intravaginal <i>C.</i><i>muridarum</i> challenge in immunized animals.

<p>C57BL/6 mice (3 mice/group) were treated i.n. with <i>C. pneumoniae</i> (1×10⁶ IFU/mouse), or <i>C. muridarum</i> (0.5×10³ IFU/mouse) in 25 µl of PBS, or PBS alone (mock). The mice were challenged 60 days later intravaginally with 5×10⁴ IFU of <i>C. mur</i> in 10 µl of PBS. One group of <i>C. pne</i> immunized mice was mock challenged intravaginally with 10 µl of PBS alone. Mice were euthanized, genital tract tissues collected, and macroscopic oviduct dilatation was measured on day 80 after challenge. Each individual marker represents one oviduct and the mean ± SEM of greatest cross-sectional oviduct diameter per group of mice also is shown. The number of normal oviducts (numerator) and the total number of oviducts evaluated (denominator), and the percentage of normal oviducts per respective group of mice have been indicated in parentheses. * Significant (P<0.05, ANOVA) difference in the degree of oviduct dilatation in <i>C. mur</i> challenged mice immunized previously with PBS (mock) compared to <i>C. pne</i>, and between mice immunized previously with PBS (mock) compared to <i>C. mur</i>. # Significant (P<0.05, Fisher’s exact test) difference in the incidence of oviduct dilatation in <i>C. mur</i> challenged mice immunized previously with PBS (mock) compared to <i>C. pne</i>, and in mice immunized previously with PBS (mock) compared to <i>C. mur</i>. Results are a composite of two independent experiments and thus reflect 24 oviducts per group.</p

The incidence of oviduct pathology after intravaginal <i>C. muridarum</i> challenge in immunized animals.

<p>The number of mice within a group (<i>n</i> = 6) developing hydrosalpinx was compared between groups.</p>*<p>Significant (P<0.05, Fisher’s exact test) differences between mouse groups immunized with PBS (mock) compared to <i>C. pne</i> and PBS (mock) compared to <i>C. mur</i>. Results are a composite of two independent experiments and thus reflect 12 mice per group.</p

Bacterial clearance after intravaginal <i>C.</i><i>muridarum</i> challenge in immunized animals.

<p>C57BL/6 mice (3 mice/group) were treated i.n. with <i>C. pneumoniae</i> (1×10⁶ IFU/mouse), or <i>C. muridarum</i> (0.5×10³ IFU/mouse) in 25 µl of PBS, or PBS alone (mock). The mice were challenged 60 days later intravaginally with 5×10⁴ IFU of <i>C. mur</i> in 10 µl of PBS. One group of <i>C. pne</i> immunized mice were mock challenged intravaginally with 10 µl of PBS alone. At the indicated days following challenge, numbers of chlamydial inclusion forming units (IFU) recovered from vaginal swabs was measured. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM of chlamydial shedding per group at each time point. Significant (P = 0.013, ANOVA all pairwise multiple pairwise procedures using Holm-Sidak method) difference between <i>C. pne</i>, <i>C. mur</i>, and PBS (mock) immunized groups. Within this test, significant differences also were detected between * mouse groups immunized with <i>C. mur</i> compared to to PBS (mock) and between # mouse groups immunized with <i>C. pne</i> compared to PBS (mock). Results are representative of two independent experiments.</p

Serum antibody response following immunization.

<p>C57BL/6 mice (3 mice/group) were treated i.n. with <i>C. pneumoniae</i> (1×10⁶ IFU/mouse), or <i>C. muridarum</i> (0.5×10³ IFU/mouse) in 25 µl of PBS, or PBS alone (mock). On day 50, animals were bled and serum total antibody levels against <i>C. mur</i>, <i>C. tra</i>, or the unrelated antigen BSA were analyzed by ELISA. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM of reciprocal serum dilutions corresponding to 50% maximal binding. Results are representative of two independent experiments.</p

Bacterial clearance after intravaginal <i>C. muridarum</i> challenge in immunized animals.

<p>The percentage of mice within a group (<i>n</i> = 6) shedding <i>Chlamydia</i> at each time point was added over the entire monitoring period, and the sum was compared between groups.</p>*<p>Significant (P<0.05, Fisher’s exact test) differences between mouse groups immunized with PBS (mock) compared to <i>C. pne</i> and PBS (mock) compared to <i>C. mur</i>.</p>#<p>Significant (P<0.05, Fisher’s exact test) differences between mouse groups immunized with <i>C. pne</i> compared to <i>C. mur</i>. Results are representative of two independent experiments.</p